Welcome to Just Maps, an exciting project bringing together students, teachers and communities across Spain, Italy, Ireland, Poland and Kenya.
On December 1st, our Ikastola launched an exciting new Erasmus+ project, Just Maps, which will run until November 2027. This initiative brings together students, teachers, and communities from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Kenya to engage in Global Citizenship Education and sustainability efforts.
Just Maps is designed to empower young people, aged 8-15, to act as global citizens within their own local environments. By mapping their neighborhoods and investigating key issues, students will develop critical awareness and a commitment to positive change. Their research will focus on environmental challenges, social inequalities, and the historical context of their communities. The project encourages a justice-based approach, connecting local experiences to global issues.
A key feature of Just Maps is its participatory, transnational process. Students will start by gathering data from their local areas, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. This information will be used to create digital maps that visually represent the unique characteristics of each community. These local maps will then be integrated with those from partner countries, allowing students to analyze and compare different contexts on a global scale. Together, they will form the Transnational Council of Mappers, collaborating across borders to propose and implement solutions that address both local and global challenges.
Teachers will play a pivotal role in this process, acting as facilitators of student action. Through the project, they will engage in professional development opportunities that strengthen their skills in intercultural communication, critical thinking, and innovative teaching methodologies. This will not only support their own growth but also enhance classroom dynamics and student engagement.
Building on the success of previous initiatives like Just Action, Just Maps aims to foster a sense of agency among students, encouraging them to become active participants in shaping their communities. By combining education, technology, and cross-cultural collaboration, the project seeks to redefine what it means to be a global citizen in today’s interconnected world.
Join us on this transformative journey as we map out a more just and sustainable future!