17/01/2025 – Written by CINEGIOVANI APS
Our association was fortunate enough to be a partner in the “TC – MAKE SENSE” project organized by CEFIG in Kolin (Czech Republic) as part of the Erasmus+ program. We stayed at the beautiful Hotel Theresia in Kolin, where we had the opportunity to meet other young youth workers and learn together about the media and critical thinking. All the activities, masterfully led by the two trainers Veronika and Lukas, showed us how the media often try to manipulate us; this is why it is important to develop strong critical thinking skills to use in this area, but also in other areas of our lives. The rich work schedule included sessions on algorithms, decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, disinformation, manipulation, fact-checking, judgment, evidence, innovation, solutions, planning, simulation, etc. We also had the opportunity to spread Italian culture and the customs of our beautiful country through an intercultural evening and a free day.
Here are the words of our participants:
Domenico: “I didn’t know about Erasmus+ projects. I found out about them by chance while talking to a friend who was about to leave on a traditional Erasmus project for university students. I told him how much I, as a non-university student, missed out on an international experience like that. At that point, he told me to take a look at the Erasmus+ projects designed for young workers like me. I set about finding some and came across the ‘Make Sense’ training course. The topics, which focused on media literacy, ranged from problem solving and critical thinking to bias and recognizing fake news. All the topics were covered in an interesting and accessible way. The activities were always engaging, and there was a very practical teaching approach, with activities that put us to the test. From a practical point of view, the training course was perfectly organized. Both the lessons, which were well written and prepared by the trainers, and the host structure were perfect for this type of experience. It was wonderful to test myself alongside young people from all over Europe. It was obviously also an excellent opportunity to practice English, and I saw a significant improvement. This experience not only gave me many new friends around Europe, but also increased my already strong sense of European inclusion. I recommend these experiences to everyone because, in addition to enriching your knowledge in various fields, they are very helpful from a human perspective.”
Federica: “Make Sense project dedicated to critical thinking and disinformation made a deep impression on me thanks to the excellent quality of the trainers, information, and materials provided. This experience gave me a unique opportunity to develop skills that are fundamental to me, including the ability to critically evaluate information from various media sources. In addition, I was able to enhance my problem-solving skills by learning to recognize effective strategies for analyzing complex content, both online and offline. Thanks to the presence of participants from different parts of Europe (and, therefore, with different backgrounds and ways of thinking), this course was undoubtedly a stimulating and educational experience for me, offering a valuable space for reflection and discussion, enriching the dialogue and promoting a deeper understanding of the issues addressed.”
Anna: “This course was a unique opportunity for me to explore important topics such as critical thinking, problem solving, goal factoring, problem trees, the sunk-cost fallacy, and fake news. Each topic covered encouraged me to reflect more deeply on how to tackle problems, make informed decisions, and analyze information critically. During the training, I was able to put these skills into practice through concrete and collaborative exercises, which made learning dynamic and engaging. In addition to the educational aspects, it was a life experience that also enriched me on a human level. Working in a group with participants from different countries was stimulating and allowed me to engage with different approaches and points of view. This exchange fostered the creation of meaningful bonds and taught me the importance of valuing cultural diversity as a resource. I enjoyed putting myself out there, overcoming the challenges presented and discovering new perspectives through interactions with people from cultural backgrounds different from my own. The experience was deeply immersive, to the point that every day was a combination of learning, personal growth and moments of authentic sharing. I believe that this opportunity has contributed significantly to my development, both as a professional and as a person. Not only have I expanded my knowledge, but I have also gained a greater awareness of the value of international collaboration. It was an experience that I will always carry with me, and I am sure it will have a positive impact on my future, both in my career and in my interpersonal relationships.”
Simone: “The project was truly fantastic. I learned new methods and skills that will be useful in my youth work, and I am really happy to be able to share them with my community soon. The Cefig team is fantastic, very organized, and very attentive to every detail. The group selection was also well done, and the trainers were very knowledgeable. I really hope to return to Kolin soon because it is a magical place. Thank you to our partner Cefig for making this possible.”
Cinegiovani APS 