2025 has been marked by the realization of two seminars on disability and the construction of new skills with the students of the European School Brussels II and our Board Member.
As always, it all starts from an idea, from a moment of clarity on what is best to do in favor of those who are waiting for a spark that can let them shine. As always happens when you want to achieve ambitious goals, teamwork is the key that will allow the idea to become reality. And it was thanks to the commitment of the Alumni Europae Board and a series of enlightened school managers that we got to talk to students about inclusion, acceptance and building new skills when it seems that there is only a deficit.
Board Member Valentina Grassi, Bac 2007 at the European School Brussels II, wanted to start from her alma mater in Belgium to establish a series of events dedicated to awareness on the topic of disability. Valentina, sight impaired manager and Paralympic athlete, joined the Board of our association with the aim of promoting the culture of inclusion in schools, in favor of young citizens and, in part, also of their teachers.
The project has always been clear and aimed at effective communication with students: with the support of the Board, Valentina wanted to organize a meeting with the classes of a European School to tell what disability is and show how much in reality today it translates as potential towards broader horizons.
Thanks to Alexia Giannakopoulou (European School Brussels II Woluwe Deputy Director Nursery and Primary Cycle), Valentina and Alumni Europae had the opportunity to promote the Disability Seminar Project within EEB2 and the first meeting at school was held in January 2025.
One language section after another, dozens of primary cycle students were involved and met Valentina. The activity was short but very intense for the young students. Firstly, the children were introduced to disability as a difference that needs to be taken into account in order to make everyone able to carry out the same activities without discrimination. Then, they saw many examples of Paralympic athletes from many nations and how they practice their sport and go on to win Paralympic medals. Finally, Valentina involved the students in a fun tactile game. With their eyes closed, the students were given an object and only by touching it they had to guess what it was. All the students were enthusiastic, while the teachers gladly participated in the activity.
Every section of the workshop unfolded very well, but the best moment of each hour of the workshop was the one in which the pupils were given the space to ask questions. All of them were so curious and wanted to know “how this disability thing works”, which is really just a different and new skill. They wanted to know how to apply these principles in their lives, because they knew other children with a disability. The curiosity, discovery, research and light that were released in these workshops were the highest and most touching moments that could be imagined to be achieved.
Two days of workshop, an entire class of the Primary cycle involved, smiles on the faces of the children. This is the right recipe to bring the sun to a cold January in Brussels!
Following these incredible meetings, the Parents' Association of the European School Brussels II also expressed its appreciation for which we feel grateful and honored.
EEB2 has two offices, one in Woluwe and one in Evere, also within the city of Brussels. In order to involve this second location as well, Alexia Giannakopoulou and her colleague Myriam Lancelot (European School Brussels II Evere Deputy Director Nursery and Primary Cycle) asked Valentina to organize a second series of workshops in May 2025, this time involving both locations of the school.
Now the project has taken on a new look, becoming more interactive and putting the students at the center of almost the entire hour, with practical activities and the opportunity to ask all the questions they wanted.
In this second workshop session, the students and their curiosities always had to take center stage. Valentina has prepared a short video with the demonstration of several Paralympic athletes of many nationalities which are one of the best messages demonstrating how there is no real limit to everyone's potential, followed by a brief explanation of what the different types of disabilities are. After that, the students began their activity. Some had to bounce a ball with their
non-dominant hand, others had to put building blocks in size order while blindfolded, others had the opportunity to ask as many questions as they wanted to illuminate all their doubts and interests. Everything worked very well also because our AE Board Member Ioannis Notoglou came to school and got immediately involved in the initiative. As an Alumnus and father, he has a special attention towards children's education and his help has been crucial to let the project unfold successfully.
Different locations of the school, different classes, different languages, different backgrounds: the fil rouge was the sincere desire of the children to know, to discover, so as to be able to include all those who have a new ability within each context, definitively removing any trace of discrimination and alienation.
These children constituted the true evolution of Europe during the workshops.
In a historical moment strongly characterized by instability, uncertainty, violence and indifference, Alumni Europae is happy to be able to bring positive examples for today's students of the European Schools, demonstrating that kindness, respect, education and inclusion allow us to build a much more beautiful and enriching future.
We want to thank Alexia and Myriam, two enlightened managers who made these training meetings possible, as well as their team and the Parents' Association. A special hug goes to Ms. Maria Barrada and her husband Marc, EEB2 former Spanish teacher for the incredible support provided during a long time.
We all work to make tomorrow’s Europe a better place for young generations.
