​Pupils' comments

The experience we had in Elefsina is unforgettable. Together with children from other cities and countries, we envisioned a climate-neutral future. I personally feel very fulfilled by our visit there and would definitely like to do it again, but with more creativity in the implementation. Thank you so much for your patience and the opportunity you gave us. I hope this conference really made a difference and moved at least a few people. (Olga M.)
The conference in Elefsina is an unforgettable experience for all of us. Together we envisioned a climate-neutral Elefsina. There our environmental group came together even more, we met and talked to children from other countries and exchanged our ideas. Together we all talked, laughed, danced and lived this fantastic experience that I personally wouldn't trade for anything. I hope we will be given a similar opportunity again but for now we will enjoy our memories of Elefsina. (Stefanos P.)
We spent unforgettable moments in Elefsina. It was a fantastic experience. We met children from other schools and from different countries. We practiced the English language, which was scary to think about at first, but then I had no difficulty. The images of the syndrome were unique! Beautiful slogans with lots of colours! The grey walls were made colourful by the posters of all the schools! (Zoe H.)
The most beautiful moment I experienced was the peaceful march that all the children who participated in the conference made to the town hall of Elefsina.  I was amazed that we were able to work together - working with kids from other schools and joining our voices to be heard throughout Elefsina and beyond.  There was nothing I didn't like, it was a very interesting experience. (S. Elena)
The conference was something unique for me and I feel very lucky to have experienced it in Elefsina. I was given an opportunity to work with other guys. I can imagine going to Elefsina 30 years old and it has changed so much!!!!
I think it was a great experience!!!It wasn't something I live every day but I wish I could live it again!!!I had an amazing time because we worked with great guys!!!
I am very lucky to have participated in this conference on climate neutrality!!!After that I have no climate burden because I did my best to improve our beloved Elefsina!!!
​We hope that the Mayor will make most of our suggestions come true!!!We had a great time!!This experience will be unforgettable!!!

​Experts' comments

Everything was great and I think all participants were satisfied. Knowledge, raising awareness on environmental issues, active citizenship skills, values and attitudes, opportunities for experiential learning, familiarization with scientific practices like exchanges in the context of conferences. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in this special conference. (Dr. S. Ioakeimidou)
It was on the whole a well-planned event. The most important benefits for schools from their participation in the pupils' conferencehe is extroversion and interaction that may in the future lead to new cooperation on the climate neutrality issue. Take your own steps to self-oragnised events in your local communities and expand your networks and collaborations so that you make glocal come true. (Dr. P.Piliouras)
It was well planned Pupil Conference. I think it will create a lasting Memory of Greece/Elefsina, and hopefully an urge to be active for the environment in their everyday lives. (Iro Alampei)
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I think that everything was very well organized considering the number of pupils and counties involved. I think that the most important lesson was how to work in multicultural environment but on a same theme. Considering the age of pupils this was probably the first event of this kind that they participated in, and a great lesson not only in thematic itself but in social skills as well. It was good for them to see how different schools worked on a same thematic with same input information trough school posters, but they also had the opportunity to work together on location in different workshop and to put different knowledge in practice. It was also a good way to see how diverse groups can work on a same cause that is important for all, and make it happen. I think that the extent of event showed how united energy can really influence learning and reaching common goal. Also, on a school level this introduced new methods of working with pupils that will keep on going in the future as a set of new activities. (Dr. Djurdja Kerkez)
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​Teachers' comments

The purpose and objectives of the conference were realized where the students shared experiences about the vision of their school. Τhe issues discussed at the conference were important and beneficial such as the vision of the school, the changes brought by the project for the benefit of the climate to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, cooperation with the local government and other areas, the exchange of experiences between schools for the benefit of a clean environment.We hope that this conference will take place in the future in each participating country. (Majlinda mehmetaj)
I believe that the programme was very well and carefully designed and adapted to the needs and initial objectives. The greatest benefits for our students were the contact and interaction with students from other schools and regions. The greatest benefits for a teacher were the introduction to methods and techniques of reflection and exploration of a problem as well as the use of students' ideas in their work. I think it was an opportunity to create a nucleus from which opportunities for future actions will emerge. (Ioulia Dretaki)
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I think that both the planning and implementation of the Conference have been excellent even in the most minor detail such as the order and mode the schools left the premises at the end of the first day. The most important benefits for the pupils participating in the pupils' conference are: the opportunity to meet other students, the opportunity to present their work in public, the opportunity to be creative and to put into practice what they have learnt from the workshops run at school and the walk around Elefsis on the first day of the Conference. The conference’s legacy for students, teachers and schools are: Skills and knowledge for students, methods and techniques for teachers, Action Plans for school improvement. (Natalia Tzitzi)
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Great job, very good implementation and planning. The pupils who participated in the conference shared and presented what they did to other oupils. We are planing peer education through workshops that will be led by conference participans, as well as continuing cooperation with experts. Good practice, active participation in development of knowledge about climate neutrality, as well as encouragment and continous eork on reducing pollution, but also emphasizing natural, cultural and educational heritage. Great job! (Ivana Mali- Vukelić)
I can only praise the organization and implementation of the conference. Τhe most important and most useful thing is definitely socializing among students, exchanging information and gaining new experiences.Definitely the results of the work and something that will be used in the future. A beautiful experience and we hope that our school will be able to participate in other projects related to the same topic. (Rusmira Pedljić)
The planning of the conference was very good, excellent. The field study and the workshops were very well organised. Pupils finished their work on schedule and in general, the timetables were respected. The legacy of the conference is that invests in the young generation and its active role on environmental issues. Schools and teachers have a moral obligation to continue to educate children on these issues. I would like to thank the leaders of the environmental team, Eleni.Alexandra, Maria, for giving us the opportunity to participate in such agreat project. (Sofia Sgouraki)
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The pupil's conference was a valuable opportunity for the pupils to come together, share ideas, learn from each other, and develop important skills. The effective planning, the engaging content, and the supportive environment have encouraged active participation and collaboration.​ The technique of "world cafe" is a good practice and I think I will use it more often in the classroom. It is an interactive and participatory method for hosting meaningful conversations and facilitating collective intelligence. Unfortunately, it may not always align with the time constraints of a classroom setting. The conference's legacy for students, teachers, and schools includes empowered students, expanded knowledge and skills, strengthened school-community relationships, networking opportunities, inspiration for future initiatives, raised awareness, and a commitment to sustainable action. These outcomes contribute to the collective efforts in addressing climate change and shaping a more sustainable future. (Elli Chatzopoulou)​
Both the planning and implementation were well catered for. The organising committee had anticipated evry detail of this demanding event and everything ran according to schedule. The pupils expressed their satisfaction and this is for us a trustworthy indication of the success this event had. The organisation of workshops, the participatory principles on the decision making on many levels but most importantly in the way the pupils reached the final output, the petition, are some of the most significant lessons of this event. Take your own steps to self-oragnised events in your local communities and expand your networks and collaborations so that you make glocal come true. (Georgia Gyftoula)
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​Facilitator's comment (art workshops of the 3rd day)

I have felt the vibration, the vitality and the flow of ideas, values, arguments and visions while studying the work of the pupils before the conference and also during the third day of the conference (11th of May). I have also felt the care and kindness of the organisers and everybody involved in the well-being of the experience. The fact that they were invited to 1. express themselves as authentically as possible 2. find and honour their own voice 3. engage into collective processes 4. understand and connect with the urgency of the topic 5. take responsibility of their participation in this international event 6. reconcile themselves with disagreements and debates and find their own presence in the collective 7. respect deadlines, processes, ideas, their co-humans 8. acquire the hard-wiring to be active in social issues in their life 9. believe that peaceful activism matters. Teachers were invited to advance their soft skills, to lead and inspire a group, to be active and engaged even in rough moments, to ground (more) within themselves the importance of peaceful activism, to (re)appreciate the value of dialogue, participation, action, body movement, self-expression, feelings, to become more practical regarding ‘walking their talk’ and applying what they teach in a real situation (i.e. the challenges of a contemporary city, Eleusis) to receive inspirations for future reference, to network and make new acquaintances/friends. I am honoured that I have been part of the Pupils’ Conference, Eleusis 2023 and I congratulate each and every one of you for the innovative spirit, open-mind, care, kind vision, motivation and hard work. Looking forward to future endeavours. I shall be with you and support you. Wholeheartedly I thank you. (maria a. angeli)

​Facilitator's comment (routes, groups)

​I can use the teaching techniques (world cafe for example) in other educational environments. The most important benefits for the students who participated in the student conference were that the students had the opportunity to work with other children from different parts of Greece and from foreign countries. It was very special that we all worked together on something that concerns all of us, our planet.
​Website design - content and maintenance:
Pedagogical Team of the Conference (M. Dimopoulou - E. Niarchou - A. Tsigkou - A. Dardioti)