Written by CINEGIOVANI APS
From October 27 to 31, four participants from our organization had the opportunity to visit our Portuguese partners in the beautiful city of Aveiro to participate, along with other educators and youth workers from Portugal,
Spain, and Croatia, in a training course entitled CLEAR—Cultivating literacy, engaging with authentic resources.
During this TC, participants had the opportunity to learn new digital skills to
deal with disinformation and fake news.
Here is what some participants said upon their return to Italy:
Nicola: “To be completely honest and transparent, I want to say that I came to a Portugal with no expectations. This was the first Erasmus experience for me and that’s why I didn’t know what to expect from the people there, from the activities and from the organization.
It turned out the experience was amazing and I enjoyed it a lot more than I would’ve ever expected. I made so many connections with people from around Europe that I feel and Ihope will be lasting for years to come.
Talking about the organization, I think their job was not easy, but they were so great at doing it. The activities were interesting and interactive, and that made made it possible for the local students to feel involved and also protagonist of the project. I learned so through the activities about information and dangers that everybody should be aware of in this current world. I love the fact that the activities were not just formal classes, but they were actually trying to be as informal as possible so that the participants and the students could learn things interactively and in a faster and more efficient way. At the end of this little summary of this amazing experience I had the opportunity to live, I want to highlight the location of this project: the magic Aveiro. Before leaving for Portugal, I’ve never heard of Aveiro, but it turned out being such a cute and beautiful city with so many things to see and to do.
Lastly, I want to thank from the bottom of my hearts during organization Cais1515 and CineGiovani for the opportunity they gave me; and, as Bernardo, the coordinator of the Portuguese organization said, I hope this is not a goodbye, but just a see you again.
Federica: “My recent Erasmus+ experience in Aveiro was simply great — an enriching and eye-opening opportunity that far exceeded my expectations. Although it was my first Erasmus+ mobility, I was not entirely new to international training, having previously taken part in research and academic programs abroad during my PhD and postDoc years. Still, this experience stood out as something truly special.
At first, I expected a more traditional format with seminars and lectures. Instead, the organizers offered a dynamic, informal, and highly engaging approach to learning. The activities included brainstorming sessions, cooperative learning, team-building exercises, and interviews — all designed to encourage active participation and collaboration. In my opinion, this was a fully successful choice. I felt deeply involved, both in the learning process itself and in the collective effort to reach meaningful conclusions on how to counteract disinformation and the spread of fake news.
By the end of the experience, we had all agreed on the central role of *critical thinking* as a powerful defence against the risks of authoritarianism and extremist drifts. Together, we even developed a sort of toolkit to promote awareness and media literacy in our respective contexts.
The quality of the activities, as well as that of the experts involved, was exceptionally high. Everything was well organized and perfectly aligned with the project’s objectives. I am particularly grateful to *Bernardo* and *Conceição* , who guided all participants step by step, fostering the circulation of ideas and deep reflection throughout each phase.
Beyond the structured sessions, I truly appreciated the chance to interact with the students and colleagues of the host school. These exchanges broadened my perspective, allowing me to gain new awareness, knowledge, and connections that I will certainly bring back to my teaching practice in Italy.
Finally, all of this took place in the charming and inspiring setting of *Aveiro* , a town I barely knew before this experience but which, with its beauty, culture, history, and art, has now earned a special place in my heart. I am sincerely grateful to *Cinegiovani* and the *Cais1515* for this wonderful opportunity — one that has enriched me both professionally and personally.
Cinegiovani APS 