PARTICIPATE+ | M.O.V.E – Mercator Virtual Experiences

Virtual exchange programs for teenagers and young adults

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Intercultural Media Academy

Countries: Europe Language: English Age: 14-17 years Workload: approx. 30 hours (live calls and preparation time) Dates: May 1 – 28, 2021 Price: 50€, full scholarships available!

„Become a European Blogger – Online Journalism at its best“ is the motto of the Intercultural Media Academy. The English-speaking program is directed towards students between 14 – 17 years mainly from Europe. The participants will learn from journalism experts and gain experiences through conducting interviews and creating their own media product. Furthermore, participants will get the opportunity to receive the Global Competence Certificate.

Apply now.

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Karlshochschule Virtual Academy

Countries: global Language: English Age: 17 – 21 years old Workload: approx. 30 hours (live calls and preparation time) Dates: June 5-27, 2021 Price: 150€, full scholarships available!

Our virtual Academy on „Embracing diversity and tackling inequalities“ invites high school and university students to learn about how to tackle social inequalities and how to become active global citizens. The three-week program offers a mix of lectures, workshops, individual assignments, and social events.

Apply now!

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Connected Europe

Countries: Europe Language: English Age: 16-19 years old Workload: approx. 30 hours (live calls and preparation time) Dates: 3 weekends from May 21 to June 6 Price: 50€, full scholarships available!

“Connected Europe” focuses on European legislative procedures and gives you the opportunity to be part of a model European Union. After introductory workshops, you will be assigned a faction and work closely with the other members on drafting amendments and defending them in plenary sessions. Throughout the process you will be supported by volunteers and have the opportunity to meet with experts from the field. Previous knowledge on European legislaton is not required. The program is directed towards European students between the age of 16 – 19 years.

Apply now! Deadline extended till May 16, 2021

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LIFE+ | One child can change the whole world

Hello everyone! My name is Aykut, I'm 23 years old and I come from Turkey. I lived in 3 different cities in Turkey far from each other throughout my life. Now I live in Kahramanmaraş, in the south of Turkey. Last year, I graduated from Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Construction Technologies. I developed myself in the direction of architecture and design.

I like dealing with art. I write poems and novels, I sculpt, I am dealing with painting and crafts. I am a soloist and chorus in the state choir in my city.

I am in love with science as well as art. I have been curious and questioning since childhood. I designed the first project when I was only 10 years old. Thanks to this project during my high school years, I developed 25 projects and established the state-supported Tübitak Science Fair. I took part in the Google Science Fair in the same year. For a while, I taught the theory of relativity to students in schools.

I have always tried to do my projects as nature-friendly, ecological projects. Because I grew up in nature. I learned all my thoughts and abilities here. I believe all information is hidden in nature.

I think that all the problems in the world are experienced because we have lost your respect for nature and forgot to live with it.

I think children should get nature education above all else. People who love nature, love the whole universe. And one child can change the whole world.

Nature taught me to wonder and question. Therefore, I like to research new places, discover new information and share this information with others.

Today I am with new faces in a new place.

I am working as a European Union volunteer within the ICDET in Sofia, Bulgaria.

We are thinking about how we can make the world better with a group of people in this beautiful city and we are working on many projects. This is worth everything.

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Aykut Doğan, volunteer@ICDET

LIFE+ | Be the change you want to see in the world

My name is Katia, I'm 22 years old and I live in Ischia, an island in the gulf of Naples. I’m in love with my little island because the simplicity is at the order of day. I call it “paradise with palm trees”.

In December I graduated in Biological science at the University Federico II in Naples and when I attended the lessons I had a house in the city. I would like to continue my studies by doing a major in Genetics and molecular biology. My dream would be to make a strong contribution to research in this area. The university years change me a lot. I met many people, like my professor and colleagues, who made me more and more passionate about studying.

I really like Biology in all its fields and I believe in science.

I have always been curious since I was a child. I like to know how the events happened and give an explanation to this.

My thought is that there are many undiscovered things in the world who are waiting for us to come out.

There are also many obstacles in our way that only with science and with knowledge or rather the desire to know, we can break them down. Thanks to this we can give a contribution at the evolutionary level.

One of the many things that make me feel good is being part of the Red Cross volunteers.

I’m proud to be part of such a close-knit group. With them I learned a lot of things like how to behave in an emergency situation. I also got an ambulance license and that made me feel really important and useful for others. Since I joined the red cross I feel alive because I found a second family to rely on to help each other.

In my free time I like to go for a run or walk with my dog. Running relaxes me a lot, It is my way to switch off even though I have many commitments.

I am always looking for ways to improve and grow. I give my all to reach my goals in spite of any hardships I might meet along the way. With ICDET I would like to increase my skills in any field, overcome my limits and set up a project that contains all my interests.

A theme that is close in my heart is Biodiversity or better “great variety”.

Biodiversity understood as ecological, species and genetic diversity is essential for life and evolution.

Without it, everything would be the same and the saying “The world is beautiful because it is varied” would not exist.

To conclude I would like to say that I’m happy to undertake this experience and I would like to learn as much as possible from others and leave my mark with my positivity.

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Caterina Cioffi, intern@ICDET