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Crossing Borders, Shaping Europe
As part of the Erasmus+ programme, Klax School has formed a new partnership with Niftarlake College in the Netherlands. Two project trips, one to Maarssen in April and one to Berlin in May, gave pupils in Year 9 from both schools the opportunity to learn about European values and put them into practice.
The focus of the visit to the Netherlands was sustainability, cultural exchange and creative problem solving. After receiving a warm welcome, the students explored Amsterdam together, gaining exciting insights into the country's ecological innovations, such as offshore wind farms, bicycle mobility and impressive hydraulic engineering projects like the Delta Works. During a trip to Kamerik, the young people worked on a real sustainability project, designing a new element for a barefoot path that combines nature, environmental education and creative thinking — a practical approach to problem solving and environmental protection.
During the return visit to Berlin in May, these topics were revisited with a special focus on the shared European history and values. The young people explored the division of Berlin, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the path to reunification. Visiting the Berlin Wall Memorial and participating in a European Parliament simulation helped them develop a deeper understanding of democracy, freedom, and solidarity. Current challenges, such as climate protection and social cohesion, were also discussed.
A graffiti workshop in Mauerpark provided a creative finale, with both groups coming together to make a colourful statement about their growing friendship and a Europe of diversity and cooperation.
The trips benefited everyone involved, promoting intercultural skills, language practice and mutual understanding, and demonstrating impressively how young people can actively shape Europe.
(Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.)
