eTwinning is a European Commission programme launched in 2005 and dedicated to developing international cooperation in the educational sphere. Presently, it comprises schools, kindergartens, and professional colleges, as well as higher educational establishments for future pedagogues. The Programme brings together educators from 46 countries in Europe and the world. 

During this time, more than 1.2 million educators from 295,000 educational institutions have joined the Programme, implementing over 160,000 international projects. Thanks to the Programme, more than 3 million children and youths have gained unique learning and collaboration experiences. Ukraine joined this initiative in 2013 and has since become an active and successful participant in the Programme.

“For our Network, cooperation with eTwinning opens up new opportunities — we are joining efforts to make education more modern, open, and responsive to today’s challenges. Due to eTwinning, we are able to support educators, provide them with new tools, and inspire them to adopt innovative practices that will help children and youths develop critical thinking, become active citizens, and gain confidence in their own future,” noted Nina Khoma, Head of the DOCU/CLUB Network.

Discussion after the screening

The workshop for eTwinning Program ambassadors was moderated by educator and English teacher Tetyana Bondarenko, who also works as moderator of the “Forum” Film Club at the NGO Priority in Oleksandrivka, Kirovohrad region. The workshop included a screening of the documentary film Gabriel Reports on the World Cup by director Els van Driel, followed by a discussion in the format of a practical session with examples of interactive exercises that can engage students and be useful for educators in their work.

28 educators attended the event, most of whom were introduced for the first time to the opportunities of using human rights documentary films in the educational process. The workshop became a space for sharing experiences, generating new ideas, and exploring ways in which documentaries can serve as an important resource for student learning and development.

“I know from my own experience that documentary films are powerful tools for educators. They not only help convey knowledge but also reveal complex topics through real stories that touch emotions and foster critical thinking. For educators, it is a new resource that allows for the development of students toward active and conscious citizenship,” said workshop moderator Tetyana Bondarenko.

Tetyana Bondarenko

The educators present at the event have been jointly generating ideas for working with students, proposing their own approaches for the use of documentary films in the school subjects, and demonstrating interest in the Network’s film library and the opportunities provided by film clubs within educational institutions.

“Such films are not only a way to teach, but also an opportunity to engage with children and young people on important social issues, helping them develop critical thinking and empathy,” noted one of the participants.

This workshop marked the first introduction of eTwinning Program ambassadors to Docudays UA film clubs at educational institutions. The Network team hopes that this cooperation will continue to expand, becoming engaging and mutually beneficial for both communities and bringing together educators committed to the enrichment of the high-quality educational process.

The development of the DOCU/CLUB Network is funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and Fondation de France.

The opinions, conclusions, or recommendations are those of the authors and compilers of this publication and do not necessarily reflect the views of the governments or charitable organizations of these countries. The authors and compilers are solely responsible for the content of this publication.