At the heart of this year's celebration is the inspiring official theme, "Languages unite! How languages shape inclusion". The 2026 focus emphasizes how multilingualism drives true inclusion, supports diverse and vibrant classrooms, and empowers active democratic participation across European societies. 

To bring this theme to life, an exciting variety of engaging activities and events are taking place, with educators able to discover or register their own initiatives through the EDL Events Database https://edl.ecml.at/en/Events/Events-Database. Spanning everything from local school projects to dynamic digital spaces, these events offer wonderful opportunities for everyone to explore, learn, and celebrate the languages that unite us.

Between July 20 and 23, 2026, the educational community of Liceul Teoretic "Radu Vlădescu" celebrated the 5th edition of the Summer School. Organized under the project "Educated Today, Integrated Tomorrow" (Azi Educat, Mâine Integrat), this initiative brought together students, teachers, and specialists with a clear goal: boosting personal development, preventing school dropout, and instilling core European values.

A standout highlight of this edition was the collaborative workshop "Creative Voices for European Values," held on July 22, 2026. Designed as an open space for debate and creative expression in English, the workshop demonstrated how non-formal education can transform abstract concepts into vivid, interactive learning experiences.Instead of traditional lecturing, the session utilized dynamic, reflective methods aimed at fostering critical thinking:

• Quote Analysis (Agree / Disagree): The students debated powerful statements on freedom of expression, democracy, and civic responsibility from thinkers and leaders like Voltaire, John F. Kennedy, Albert Camus, James Dalton Trumbo, and Ralph Nader.
• "Democracy: True / False" Challenge: An interactive session clarifying key democratic principles, where the participants evaluated statements about human rights, political pluralism, and peaceful conflict resolution.
• Creative Writing in English: The students exercised their language skills and creative flair by composing poetic messages centered on European ideals, contributing to an inspiring collective portfolio.

The activities encouraged students to explore and internalize the six fundamental values of the European Union:

• Respect for Human Dignity - Recognized as an inviolable baseline for all fundamental human rights.
• Freedom - Approached through freedom of thought, expression, assembly, learning, and movement.
• Democracy - Analyzed through active citizenship, free elections, and community engagement.
• Equality - Focused on equal opportunities, social inclusion, and anti-discrimination.
• Rule of Law - Framed as the guarantee of a just society where laws apply equally to all.
• Respect for Human Rights - Protecting every individual, with particular attention to minority rights.

Projects like this remind us that civic education is most effective when it is experiential. By giving students a space to debate, create, and express themselves in a second language, educators can achieve several key outcomes simultaneously:

• Language Acquisition in Context: Using English as a medium for deep topics builds real-world confidence faster than textbook drills.
• Active Citizenship: Concepts like the Rule of Law or Democracy become meaningful when students analyze their practical impact on daily life.
• Inclusive Engagement: Non-formal workshops level the playing field, motivating students who might struggle in standard classroom settings and aiding in dropout prevention.

The 5th edition of the Summer School proved that European values are far more than text on paper; they are practical guides for daily living. Through initiatives like "Creative Voices for European Values," young learners gain theoretical knowledge, confidence in their own voices, and the tools needed to become active, informed citizens in a diverse world.

In contemporary education, electronic magazines have become valuable tools for promoting creativity, communication, collaboration, and academic achievement. One relevant example is the electronic magazine Focus on Education, a publication that reflects the educational experiences, achievements, and perspectives of both the coordinating teacher and the sixteen students involved in the international learning activities of the Erasmus project 2025-1-RO01-KA121-SCH-000321135. More than a simple collection of articles, the magazine represents a dynamic educational platform that encourages intercultural dialogue, environmental awareness, and active participation in school life.

Focus on Education highlights the educational impact of the Erasmus+ mobility project hosted by Varnenska Morska Gimnazia “Sv. Nikolai Chudotvorec” in Varna, Bulgaria. Through a wide variety of articles, the magazine illustrates how education can extend far beyond the traditional classroom and become a transformative experience based on real-life learning, collaboration, and personal development.

One of the greatest strengths of the magazine is its ability to give students a voice. The articles included in this edition present authentic reflections on sustainability, environmental protection, teamwork, intercultural communication, and social responsibility. The students describe how participating in activities such as beach clean-ups, ecological workshops, digital laboratories, and collaborative projects helped them develop not only academic knowledge, but also essential life skills such as critical thinking, communication, adaptability, and civic engagement.

At the same time, Focus on Education demonstrates the importance of experiential learning. The contributors repeatedly emphasize that direct participation in practical activities had a stronger impact on them than theoretical instruction alone. Whether observing marine pollution, collaborating with international peers, or exploring modern educational technologies such as VR laboratories and digital simulations, the students learned through action, reflection, and interaction.

Another remarkable aspect of the magazine is its promotion of European values and intercultural understanding. Our Erasmus+ mobility created opportunities for Romanian and Bulgarian students to work together, exchange ideas, and discover cultural similarities and differences in a respectful and collaborative environment. These experiences contributed to the development of tolerance, empathy, and open-mindedness, qualities that are increasingly important in today’s globalized society.

Furthermore, the electronic format of the magazine increases accessibility and encourages digital literacy. The students become not only readers, but also creators of educational content. Through writing, editing, and publishing articles, the participants improved their digital competences and developed confidence in expressing their ideas publicly and academically. The magazine therefore becomes both an educational product and a learning process in itself.

The environmental dimension of the publication is equally significant. Many articles focus on sustainability, marine pollution, ecological responsibility, and the importance of protecting natural resources. By presenting these topics through personal experiences and reflections, Focus on Education transforms environmental education into something meaningful, relatable, and motivating for young readers.

In conclusion, Focus on Education is a reflection of modern, student-centred education based on collaboration, inclusion, sustainability, and European cooperation. It successfully combines academic learning with personal development and demonstrates how international educational projects can inspire young people to become responsible citizens, active learners, and environmentally conscious individuals. Through its diverse articles and authentic voices, the magazine promotes not only educational excellence, but also the values necessary for building a more sustainable and interconnected future.

The contents reflect the views only of the author, and the National Agency and European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

 
De asemenea, în activitatea „DISCOVER THE BLACK SEA BIODIVERSITY!”, elevii au observat și comparat biodiversitatea Mării Negre cu cea a mărilor din vecinătate, precum Marea Mediterană, Marea Marmara, Marea Egee sau Marea Azov. După această activitate de explorare și documentare, elevii au participat la un test interactiv Kahoot, prin care și-au consolidat cunoștințele într-un mod atractiv și competitiv. 
Totodată, elevii au fost foarte activi pe forumul platformei eTwinning, unde au răspuns provocărilor și întrebărilor lansate de parteneri, precum „What would you convey to future generations about protecting the marine environment?” sau „How did you spend your vacation at the seaside and what did you notice about the marine environment?”. Prin aceste discuții, elevii și-au exprimat opiniile și experiențele personale legate de mediul marin, conștientizând mai profund importanța protejării ecosistemelor acvatice și a adoptării unui comportament responsabil față de natură.

O activitate deosebit de apreciată a fost escape room-ul digital realizat pe platforma Genially, implementat cu ocazia Zilei Siguranței pe Internet 2026. Jocul interactiv, structurat pe șase niveluri progresive, a inclus exerciții variate, de la întrebări cu răspuns unic la materiale video și audio cu itemi de verificare și activități de tip drag and drop, având ca scop formarea unor utilizatori responsabili ai mediului online și dezvoltarea gândirii critice, a competențelor sociale, civice și digitale, participanții fiind motivați să obțină titlul simbolic de „Digital Kindness Hero”.
În ultimele luni, implicarea elevilor a continuat prin activități colaborative precum Shared Kahoot Game – „How well do you know kindness, provocarea „Code of Kindness for Climate”, proiectul de poezie acrostih „The Voice of Kindness”, expoziția de desene „Draw kindness”,  sau Kindness Day Challenge, prin care elevii au dezvoltat empatia, spiritul de echipă și sentimentul de apartenență la o comunitate internațională.

În prima etapă a proiectului, accentul a fost pus pe cunoașterea participanților și consolidarea coeziunii grupului. Elevii au desfășurat activități introductive, au interacționat cu școlile partenere și au completat chestionare inițiale, iar ulterior au realizat produse creative precum logo-uri și postere de promovare. Aceste experiențe au contribuit la dezvoltarea creativității, a lucrului în echipă și la conturarea identității vizuale a proiectului.

Pe parcurs, elevii au participat la activități diverse cu caracter interdisciplinar. În cadrul „National Symbols”, aceștia au descoperit simbolurile și elementele culturale reprezentative ale țărilor partenere, dezvoltând competențe de comunicare și respect intercultural. Activitatea „NextGen Coders”, desfășurată în contextul EU Code Week, le-a oferit introducerea în programare prin Pixel Art, Scratch sau Python. De asemenea, prin „Collaborative Mosaic SDG” și „Festive Card Exchange”, elevii au lucrat colaborativ pe teme legate de Obiectivele de Dezvoltare Durabilă, realizând produse digitale și artistice. Proiectul a continuat cu crearea unor resurse educaționale interactive, precum board game-ul tematic și „Brain Box about SDGs”, care au transformat învățarea într-o experiență practică și atractivă.

În ultimele luni, elevii clasei a V-a  au continuat implicarea în proiect participând la noi provocări educaționale desfășurate sub temele „Environmental Detectives” și „Nature Explorers”. În cadrul activităților „Environmental Detectives”, desfășurate alături de partenerii internaționali ai proiectului, elevii au explorat impactul acțiunilor umane asupra mediului și au dezvoltat gândirea critică prin inițiative precum „Carbon Twin Challenge”, unde și-au calculat amprenta de carbon, precum și „Find the Solution”, prin care au identificat și rezolvat provocări STEM. De asemenea, au participat la campaniile internaționale „Coding for Climate” și „STEM Discovery Campaign”, îmbinând programarea cu problematica protecției mediului. În cadrul temei „Nature Explorers”, elevii au desfășurat activități de investigare a naturii, explorând ecosisteme din apropiere prin „Explore a Nearby Ecosystem”, documentându-se despre specii aflate în pericol de dispariție în cadrul activității „Endangered Species” și realizând videoclipuri educaționale cu ocazia Zilei Mondiale a Mediului, prin care au promovat mesaje de conștientizare și responsabilitate față de protejarea mediului înconjurător.

In April 2026, eight students and three teachers from Turkey visited our high school, Liceul Teoretic “Radu Vlădescu”, in Pătârlagele, Buzău County, for a group mobility and job shadowing mission within the Erasmus+ project “I Have Time to Share with You.” What began as a simple exchange soon evolved into a meaningful experience of connection, learning, and inspiration.

Through interactive activities, shared lessons, and meaningful discussions, the participants discovered not only new academic perspectives but also each other’s cultures, ideas, and values. From exploring creative thinking and digital responsibility to experiencing modern, student-centered education, every moment encouraged curiosity and collaboration.

Beyond classrooms, the project sparked something deeper - a sense of unity and purpose. The coordinating teachers exchanged innovative practices, the students built friendships across borders, and together they embraced the true spirit of international cooperation.

This mobility was more than a short visit. It was a reminder that when we take the time to share - with openness, respect, and creativity - we build bridges that last far beyond the project itself.

The contents of this publication reflects only the views of the author, and the National Agency and Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

On April 21, 2026, Liceul Teoretic “Radu Vlădescu” hosted a meaningful dissemination activity within an Erasmus+ mobility that brought together members of the Romanian school community alongside students and teachers from Etimesgut Şehit Kaymakam Muhammed Fatih Safitürk Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi. This enriching exchange took place within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “I Have Time to Share with You” (2025-1-TR01-KA121-SCH-000336297), highlighting the power of international collaboration in education.

A central moment of the event was the presentation of two inspiring eTwinning projects: “Bookfest 2026” and “A Song for Our Souls in an English-Speaking World.” The dissemination was led by the three Romanian coordinators - Mrs. Adelaida Iorga, Mrs. Mihaela Neacșu, and Mrs. Claudia Emilia Frînculeasă - who shared the goals, activities, and outcomes of these projects with enthusiasm and professionalism.

Through engaging presentations and meaningful discussions, the activity showcased how these projects promote creativity, innovation, and collaboration among students and teachers. Emphasis was placed on the development of communication and digital skills, as well as the cultivation of shared European values such as inclusion, cultural awareness, and mutual respect.

More than just a formal presentation, the dissemination activity became a space for dialogue, inspiration, and connection. The participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, reflect on best practices, and strengthen partnerships that extend beyond borders.

This video stands as a testament to the spirit of Erasmus+ and eTwinning - where learning is collaborative, cultures come together, and friendships are built through shared experiences. It reminds us that education is not only about knowledge, but also about connection, empathy, and the joy of learning together.