During the period of mobility ( 2-8 Oct. 2013 ) in Corinth , Greece , young people from three different countries have been involved in the discussion on the European cultural heritage , citizenship and the future of cross-national collaboration , through the process of the direct intercultural cooperation ( teamwork ) and communication.
The teamwork is an effective method to promote a substantial amount of cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding between people from different countries. By working together in the frame of a project, young people not only have learnt to work in a cross-cultural environment, not only came closer to each other and definitely reduced the cultural, ethical and social borders between them, but also they have learnt to take responsibilities related with the activeness of their citizenship and its role in the construction of the current and future Europe.
The responsibility of national representation in a multinational environment
The participants have learnt to take responsibilities within the frame of global relations, as every participant was aware that he/she represents his/her country for the young people from other countries, and that everyone is responsible to transmit his/her cultural aspects and knowledge to the other participants by a way which respects the cultural diversity and reduces the possibilities of the potential cultural-based misunderstandings and conflicts.
In addition, the participants, citizens of member-states of the European Union had to represent not only their national cultural aspects, but their European cultural identity as well, and to transmit their knowledge about the function and values of the European Union.
In the future, the young participants may find themselves to work in a similar multinational environment which will have further social or political importance, so they will have the experience, the essential skills and the awareness for sufficiently addressing every similar circumstance.
The experience and knowledge they achieved is essential for global affairs and promoting piece, as well as sustainable cooperation in international level, whether it is about the daily life and social relations, or the working environment, or the political decision making positions.
The responsibility to support and promote the values of European Union and cross-national cooperation.
The Romanian and Greek participants, were aware that they were not only citizens of their state but they were citizens of European Union as well and that they have the responsibility to support and promote the main values of this Union and be active citizens not only in national but and in European level as well. Despite the cultural differences, the “European identity” was for them a really important factor of unity.
Although Russia is not a member state of European Union, the awareness of the benefits of creative and mutual cooperation was ingrained in the consciousness of every participant. All participants perceived the similarities rather than differences between them and found the project really important for supporting the mutual understanding between citizens of different states.
The social responsibility to respect the cultural and social diversity.
During the teamwork, the participants have learnt to be equal. No matter of their cultural, social or biological (e.g. gender) identity, neither their economical or educational status, the participants has learnt to work all together, with mutual respect to every difference and without any exclusion. Alike, they are expected to operate inside their community, to be active citizens and to have social awareness.
The responsibility of building a peaceful future based on cross-national cooperation.
All participants understood that the cross-national cooperation, based on mutual understanding and the benefits of cultural diversity, is an essential element for a peaceful world without war and conflicts, and that everyone is responsible to be active on supporting this values and everyone play a role in the construction of the present and the future.
*The present report formulated based on the arguments of the participants (discussions and questionnaires)
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