An original International Educational Program for young leaders aged 15-18

KERNELS OF OUR FUTURE

5th ANNIVERSARY!!!

Join us now for the Alumni meeting on the occasion of the five years of

 'Kernels of our future'

fostering Leaders
by educating the successor generation
for a strong Europe in the Euro-Atlantic area

For a different and unique experience
join us in Chania, Crete, Greece 7 - 24 July 2008.

Download the official Brochure

Apply now for the Summer  of 2008!!

● Please click here to download the application form ●

For questions and enquiries please contact our office at:  

education@gaaec.org
160a I. Drossopoulou str., 112 56 Athens, Greece
Phone: +30-210-8655979
Fax: +30-210-8654742
Program Director: Dr. Aliki Mitsakos, M.D. Ph.D.

The staff will be happy to advise you how to proceed!

General Description of the Program

         Teenagers  from Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Denmark, France, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Turkey, and the U.S.A., among others, will learn through simulation games and many more activities, about:

• the function of International Institutions such as the European Union, NATO, United Nations, etc.
• Civil Society and its contemporary role
•  how to develop their intellectual and social skills, and, without alienating themselves from their particular national or cultural background, progressively explore the spirit of common international values using the foundation of history
• the art of conflict management.

What is “Kernels of Our Future”?

“Kernels of Our Future” is an international educational program for young potential leaders, established in 2004, following the successful experience of similar academic programs targeted at University students. The program aims to endow the participants with unparalleled foundations to take them ahead in today's global setting and equip them with skills which can be more than useful in many contexts of their lives. 

“Kernels of Our Future” can do what no formal education can.

It can equip the next generation with the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. It can provide unparalleled foundations to take them ahead in today’s global setting and equip them with skills that can be extremely useful in many other contexts in their lives as well. Investing in education has many benefits, as

• it builds the higher-level flexible skills needed to compete in today's global, knowledge-driven markets,
• it enables people to reason, communicate and make informed choices,
• it increases individual productivity, earnings and quality of life,
• it is fundamental for the development of democratic societies and crucial for creating, applying and spreading knowledge.

The program is designed for continuous interactive entertaining educational work.

The participants interrelate in class and in sports, exchange invaluable social and cultural information through their respective cultural identity, visit sites of Crete, organize their “Country presentation” and discover their common legacy through the Historical Heritage Workshop.

Why should I attend? Teaching during my vacation?

This has nothing to do with the formal teaching you have had until now. However, have you ever asked “What is the International Community?” we so often hear about in the news lately, or, “Where can I learn more about leadership, conflict management, civil society, human rights, and the political processes?” Guided courses and simulation games make all this knowledge fun to learn. At the same time, you will have the chance to interact with peers from other countries, learn about their culture and make new friends. Living and learning in Greece will offer you the spirit for personal discovery, growth and cross-cultural sensitivity.

Who can participate?

Boys and girls between 15 to 18 years old.

How is it done?

All classes are interactive and creative, through workshops, simulations and lively debates on various issues. There are other activities as well: excursions to surrounding sites and to Knossos (birth of Europe), intercultural role-plays, sport championships (tennis, football, basketball, etc.), going to the beach and having fun together at country parties almost every evening, making every minute enjoyable and exciting. The participants thus create their own community, and through guided educational interaction develop their leadership capabilities, citizenship principles, trust and understanding for their peers from the other parts of our world.

Where does it take place? 

       The program is set in the academic environment of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (www.maich.gr), situated in a picturesque, typical Mediterranean pine-tree forest setting, 3Km SE of the city of Chania, 13 Km from the International airport and 1 Km from the port of Souda bay. The participants are accommodated in double rooms with private facilities, fully air-conditioned, share healthy Cretan meals cooked on site by a talented cook, and even have a laundry room at their disposition among other facilities.

What about safety?

The organizers –as parents themselves- are fully committed to ensure the safety of the participating teenagers, from every aspect. Participants are met at the airport upon arrival and escorted to depart. A team of counselors oversees the daily activities, coordinates sports and accompanies them on the excursions organized. The Director –a U.S. trained physician- is present at all times to supervise and ensure a safe and active environment for all participants. Participants are not allowed to leave the camp premises unaccompanied and must abide by rules and regulations. Please click here to rievew the safety rules. 

In what language is it all done?

English as a common language for an International event.

What does it cost?

The cost per participant is  2100 € (appr. 2.500 $) and  includes everything on site:

• accommodation in double A/C rooms with private facilities 
• three meals per day for 16 days, 
• organized tours of Chania, Heraklion - Knossos & other sites, 
• local transportation for outings, 
• supervising instructors and facilitators, 
• materials including books, bag, T-shirt, hat, etc.. 

A limited number of scholarships might be available on a competitive basis.

Traveling expenses to and from Chania, Crete, as well as personal expenses, are not included. 

Why I should send my child?

Investing on education has many benefits. It builds the higher-level and flexible skills needed to compete in today's global knowledge-driven markets. It enables people to reason, communicate and make informed choices. it increases individual productivity, earnings and quality of life. It is fundamental for the development of democratic societies and it is crucial for creating, applying and spreading knowledge.

How can you apply?

Please complete the application form and send it  by e-mail or mail to the following address:

.
education@gaaec.org
160a I. Drossopoulou str., 112 56 Athens, Greece
Phone: +30-210-8655979
Fax: +30-210-8654742
Program Director: Dr. Aliki Mitsakos, M.D. Ph.D.

● Please click here to download the application form ●

Organized by the

Greek Association for Atlantic & European Cooperation

       GAAEC is a non-profit, non-political organization (N.G.O.), member of a number of International Associations and networks linking it with over 42 countries in Europe, the U.S., and Canada. GAAEC has been involved in International Educational programs since 1991 collaborating with leading American & European Institutions such as the Fund for American Studies, Georgetown University, the University of Athens, etc.

in partnership with the

ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA DELLA GIOVENTU’ ATLANTICA
STATE INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC EDUCATION of GERMANY
HUNGARIAN ATLANTIC COUNCIL
EURO-ATLANTIC EDUCATION INITIATIVE of BULGARIA
CASA NATO YOUTH of ROMANIA
ATLANTIC COUNCIL OF TURKEY, TURKISH WOMEN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION & the KUBBEALTI AKADEMISI KULTUR ve SANAT VAKFI
DANISH ATLANTIC TREATY ASSOCIATION
ASSOCIATION FRANÇAISE POUR COMMUNAUTÉ ATLANTIQUE 

COMMENTS OF OUR ALUMNI

...more available.... equally enthusiastic….

  ►  "The program has reinforced my belief that alternative forms of education give a greater opportunity to young learners to build academic and practical knowledge simultaneously. It is our responsibility to provide the adequate means to the young to develop the potential they have while also teaching them how to put that potential to use in an (international) community".  Z. N., Leader, Hungary 

  ► "It was very good program. I liked it very much. It helped me to meet new people, new cultures. It helped me to improve my English, too. I had never gone abroad without my family before, so, it was a big experience for me. I think this is the most important one". D. G., Turkey 

 ►    " I have learned a lot about politics, Greece, different cultures. I got to know a lot of new people. I feel like now I am more aware of new things are decided, and how things work, in the political world. But also how I can become a good leader". J. T. E., Denmark 

 ► "I think it has been the best ‘summer camp’ of my life. I met a lot of fantastic people with whom I absolutely want to keep in touch with and I learned a lot of things that I never had the occasion to learn before". M. P., Italy 
      

 ► " Participating in the program for a second year in a row, I can now say the program is attractive to me for its atmosphere and educational spirit through activities enjoyable for both lecturers and participants. I managed to feel happy with the people around me as well as I learned even more than last year". N. K., Bulgaria 
   

 ►  "I liked the program very much. It was the greatest experience I had ever had. Not only I met new people and visited a lot of interesting places but also learned a lot of new things… It is amazing how this program managed to balance fun with lessons… The most important is that now I realized how important it is to work in a group". N. M. Bulgaria 
 

 ►  "I learned about how to become a leader… I heard different points of view from different people on the same subject and this made me see things in a different way. This includes the conflict resolving game we had". A. C., Romania 
   

 ►  "The Kernels 2005 has been the best experience during my life yet. I thought me, who I am and how can I really became myself. It helped realizing my dream and now I understand my place in the world". A. H., Hungary 
     

 ► "Very glad to have participated! The whole programme was a definite eye-opener and it was so nice to have met so many children from different countries. The way things functioned were definitely representative of what happens on an international basis". S.S., Greece 
     

 ►  "I really loved it. There were some of most beautiful 18 days from my life. I thought it would be as at school with teachers and classes, but I was very happy when I have seen that it is so different. I really enjoyed the lessons". M. P., Romania