Berufskolleg am Wasserturm welcomes students as part of an ERASMUS+ project

On Wednesday, Deputy Mayor Gudrun Koppers welcomed the groups of pupils and teachers who had come to Bocholt as part of the VOIMA project funded by ERASMUS+ in the BKaW forum. The aim of the project is for young people to learn about the importance of the European Union and get involved in Europe.

The abbreviation VOIMA stands for "voicing opinions with Images, Music and Action" , which also means "strength, power" in Finnish and includes reciprocal working visits by the participating schools

A varied programme awaited the pupils in Bocholt. The week started with a virtual role-playing game, which the Europe expert Martin Mödder played with the pupils after a general introduction to EU politics. During the role play, the pupils were able to understand how decisions are made in the EU and that it is always important to take different perspectives. In the late afternoon, the young people watched the St Martin's procession, for which they had previously made lanterns, as this Bocholt tradition was a new, atmospheric experience for most of the guests.

During a trip to Brussels, the young people were able to look "behind the scenes"of the European Commission. The experiences were processed in workshops the following day and turned into posts for social media, such as the schools' Instagram account.

At the beginning of the workshop, Deputy Mayor Gudrun Koppers welcomed the school groups from Finland, France and Spain. She referred to St Martin, who selflessly gave part of his coat to a beggar. The city of Bocholt is also concerned about social justice. This topic is also anchored in EU policy. It is important that the EU member states work together so that they can make their voices heard. Ms Koppers reminded them that the EU is a peace project and encouraged the young people to get involved in peace. The trip to Münster the following day fitted well into this context.

The week ended with a school tour of the Berufskolleg am Wasserturm and participation in regular lessons so that the students could experience the similarities and differences in school life between their home country and Germany.