Erasmus+ in Turkey: Corrado Melone Teachers on the Road to a Sustainable Future

From 14 to 18 October 2024, a group of teachers from the Corrado Melone School in Ladispoli participated in an Erasmus+ mobility programme in Turkey within the project "Road to a Green Future" (2022-1-LV01-KA122-SCH-000032391). The event, hosted in the beautiful city of Ankara, brought together partners from Italy, Spain, Latvia and Turkey to focus on the topic of civic participation in the fight against climate change.

The mobility started with a warm welcome at Borsa Istanbul Etimesgut Suvari Ortaokulu school, where teachers shared insights on environmental initiatives implemented in their respective countries. A seminar by the Turkish Environmental Education Foundation and meetings with NGOs working on EU environmental policies set the stage for a week of exchanging best practices and learning more about key topics such as environmental education and youth engagement. One of the most significant activities was a visit to the Moni Bostan organic farm, where it was possible to learn more about sustainable farming practices. The visit ended with a hands-on workshop on traditional Turkish bread-making techniques. Another highlight was a trip to Lake Eymir, which, together with Lake Morgan, forms a large wetland surrounding Ankara. Dr. Gülce Yalçın, a biologist from the Department of Biology at the Middle East Technical University, spoke about the challenges posed by climate change and the efforts to preserve this delicate ecosystem. A day was also dedicated to creative recycling, with a workshop at the Uzak Orman studio in central Ankara, where participants made objects from recycled paper. This activity will be replicated in the Italian school to raise awareness among students about the importance of reusing materials. In the afternoon, the group visited the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara’s historic district, embarking on an engaging journey through millennia of history, from Hatti art to Assyrian tablets.

On October 17, the teachers ventured into the heart of Cappadocia, a UNESCO-recognized area known for its unique natural and historical features. Surrounded by fairy-tale volcanic rock formations, they explored an underground city and the Göreme Open-Air Museum, home to the iconic “Fairy Chimneys” and rock-cut churches, monasteries, and chapels adorned with Byzantine frescoes.

The mobility program concluded with a TEMA Foundation seminar, which highlighted the importance of soil conservation, followed by a final meeting to evaluate the activities undertaken. During the closing ceremony, each participant received a certificate of participation, marking the end of an intense and inspiring week.

Teachers returned home with a treasure trove of new knowledge, skills and meaningful connections, ready to share their learning with their students and implement sustainable practices in their schools.

The Erasmus Team of Corrado Melone School