15 schools from 12 countries – Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Turkey – gathered in a chat room to share their views and opinion on how to stay open to other cultures and the benefits of interacting with people with different cultural backgrounds. 

Mrs Batzeli pointed out that intercultural dimension in education includes adopting positive attitudes towards other cultures as a key action to ensure successful intercultural communication. An example of such actions was this online debate that enabled people to communicate from their different locations in Europe.

Answering a question about intercultural computer-mediated communication, Mrs Batzeli said:

The intercultural dialogues that occur online are the only way for a large number of students to experience other cultures from an early age and learn how different and similar opinions, ideas and feelings should be shared online. Learning to understand cultural differences may lead to learning about tolerance and openness to other cultures, which in turn helps people become more aware of their own culture.

Inara Zlaugotne, the coordinating teacher from Latvia, tells us that her students were thrilled to be talking to one of the highest officials in the EP. She concludes that: “the debate brought the EU closer to our everyday life and my students are now aware that they are being listened to”.

Related information

Podcast interview

Online debates: Calendar

Photo-gallery

Debate transcript