VIDEOCONFERENCE OF SLOVAK STUDENTS WITH JANA ŽITŇANSKÁ – MEP AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT´S WOMEN´S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY COMMITTEE

Students of Business Academy in Levice has had a videokonference with Jana Žitňanská who is a MEP from the Slovak republic, meMber of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and  a vice-chair of European Parliament’s Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee. Students have discussed the womens´issues with Mrs Jana Žitňanská and she has said this: „We are all very well aware of the terrifying numbers - one in three women in the EU has experienced physical and/or sexual violence. When it comes to concrete tools the EU can offer, I am a strong supporter of the Daphne programme which provides funding to grassroots organisations delivering training and services, raising awareness and sensitising the public. Support for the victims should come from the bottom up. What strikes me as shocking on a more personal level is something I experience all too often - in some communities, cities or households - and that is the idea of violence against women still being considered a private 'not to be talked about' matter. This concept of dealing with the issue is unacceptable for two reasons. First, it is never just the victim who bears the consequences. The act of violence has severe repercussions for children, the wider family, friends and the entire community. Second, I always stress the importance of mind-set. We politicians and campaigners do get angry, but victims often become ashamed and are discouraged in asking for proper support and help. It is therefore our task to stand up for their rights, to talk about the issue and bring it into the conversation, rather than brushing it under the carpet.“

She said the EU must raise awareness on the issue of violence against women and affirm its political commitment to end violence against women. By establishing a European Year to end violence against women and girls, the EU would play a leading role in raising awareness on violence against women, and at the same time propose concrete measures to act against the perpetuation of violence against women.

 Mrs Žitňanská was talking about work of women - MEPs in the European Parliament and their equal position in the EP with men and about womens´ participation in politics. She has told students how she takes part and participates in different activities to support women in Slovakia and the European Union, about the importance of European Year to End Violence against Women and gender equality. She has appreciated our eTwinning project „WOMENS @MB@SS@DORS @ SCHOOL“.

MEETING ITALIAN MEP SERGIO COFFERATI AND DISCUSSING WOMENŚ ISSUES

Students of Liceo Statale "Carlo Porta" working in the project Women´s @mb@ss@dors @ School met the MEP Sergio Cofferati in the Aurora room of Villa Amalia. The theme was "Europe and violence against women", but in reality the topics have been many: the discrimination that still exists between men and women, the defense of human rights that are the foundation of any society. There was an unexpected: the Hon Patrizia Toia could not be present for serious personal reasons, nevertheless did not want to disappoint the expectations and sent a message that was read by a student and applauded warmly. The goal of this meeting was definitely educational, not political, and the meeting has given irrefutable proof. Students got a lot of new information about womens´issueas in the connection with the European politics and they shared it wth their Slovak partners in the project.

Conclusions at the end of the meeting in Erba (Italy)

Just a year to stop violence against women?

Surely not, but the reflection has helped us to understand that this is not a problem of public order or only legal but originates from ancestral social models that only a profound cultural change will manage to eradicate. The school, with the family, educates civil coexistence and respect for rights, such as equality among human beings, therefore, also between men and women. But there can be no true equality until someone else for us continues to establish clearly defined roles, thus placing limits on what the individual wants to be and wants to become.

Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, these are the EU's fundamental values, enshrined in 2009 in the Treaty of Lisbon by the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Unfortunately these values ​​sometimes remain only on paper, often for self-interest, sometimes for fear of losing their welfare or their cultural identity. But the motto of Europe is "united in diversity", a motto that expresses the desire to live together in harmony, respecting the different cultures and traditions, a sense also represented in the flag from the stars that are twelve because the number twelve is traditionally symbol of perfection, completeness and unity.

This was and still is a dream of many like me who want a European Union based on respect for people and freedom. But to make this dream come true requires the active participation of all. We cannot stand by and simply criticize. There are still  many problems and so many they will lean out, but we have to know to be able to improve.

It is not a coincidence having organized this meeting with the MEP Sergio Cofferati representing the European institutions,  in this room, the Room of the Aurora. Aurora is the dawn of a new day, and we hope it is a good omen for a European Union increasingly cohesive and guarantor of freedom.

Thanks to eTwinning which has allowed me to meet and work with an extraordinary partner, Zuzana Mészárosová, who supported and encouraged me constantly in this very exciting and involving experience.

Liceo Statale “Carlo Porta”, 6th May 2016

Letizia Divino 

A surprise soon after the meeting 

Class 3 T gave me a plant and a speech of thanks, the most beautiful gift a teacher could receive. 

Dearest teacher,
We are writing this short letter to thank you for all you did for us this year. The eTwinning project was the occasion for us to learn having fun; In fact we met a new culture, the Slovak culture, and we discussed the issue of violence against women discovering things in daily life which may seem distant, but in truth we found to be very close. We got in the game, we have overcome shyness and we did things that we did not expect to live up to. We wrote of identifying ourselves in the characters stories, reliving their joys on our skin, but above all their pains. We staged these stories ahead of many, perhaps too many, people transmitting them emotions and messages.
Do you know why we were able to do all this? We could only do thanks to you: your determination and enthusiasm have turned on us immediately and that's why we want to thank you. Thank you for believing in us like few before had done. With you we have become one big family.
With love,
class 3 T