School: Eudoxiu Hurmuzachi National College
    Radauti, Suceava, Romania

4 students, ages 16-18 worked together to complete this Doors to Diplomacy project on March 24, 2009. They have participated in Doors to Diplomacy in the following year(s): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Classes and Teachers: Circiu Loredana

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.cnhurmuzachi.ro/

1. Description of Our Team

Our team is made of 4 students, 3 girls and a boy: Bianca-16, Veronica-16, Georgiana-17 and Alex-18. We all attend the same high school in Radauti, Romania and we have decided to take up the challenge of a “Doors to Diplomacy” project because it seemed like a highly exciting venture. The subject we selected – “Plea for a Healthy Life” is definitely among the most important issues of the modern world and we consider that everyone should be informed about what a crucial role diet plays in maintaining a long, healthy life. Working in a team means using the great skills that everyone of us has and that is what we did: Veronica did most of the research, collected the materials and put them together, Bianca and Georgiana made the English version and Alex designed the website. Together we also surveyed a number of 125 people, both students and citizens of our town, and we drew the conclusions. On the other hand, our adult coaches have been: Ms. Loredana Circiu and Ms. Corina Ionescu who have each helped us with books, ideas, guidance, and checking our final drafts.

2. Summary of Our Project

“Plea for a Healthy Life” is a project aimed at presenting the general context of eating habits nowadays. We have tried to include a short history of diet, the main components of people’s eating habits, the pluses and minuses of a vegetarian diet and also of a diet based on meat, and we have attempted at making people aware that food is a global problem because agriculture and animal breeding are the World’s oldest occupations. Moreover nowadays countries are marching towards a process of food globalization and we feel it is our duty and responsibility to draw attention and suggest solutions with a view to improving life quality and to protecting our environment. It is a global problem that must be solved locally.

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

As enjoyable as working for this project has been, we must admit that there have been drawbacks but fortunately we managed to overcome them. Firstly our school schedule is so tight that at times it has been a real problem to try to work on the project without neglecting our school duties. Secondly there have been internet connection problems. Thirdly the research process called on huge effort due to the countless and very varied resources that had to be analyzed in a short time. Last but not least there have been problems with designing the website. With a lot of patience and luck we have managed to find solutions and we worked in a team.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Our project will draw our mates attention to the big problems their diet could represent if they are not very cautious and if they live to eat instead of eating to live.

6. How did your activities and research for this Doors to Diplomacy Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

Our project is closely to the school curriculum used in our Biology classes. It is also a source of information for fellow students and even teachers of other subjects. By working in a team we acquired and perfected cooperation skills. It has also offered us a broad understanding of international relationships and of the impact of globalization on food. As for the methods and discoveries used we have relied mostly on traditional means (books, questionnaires, magazines) without forgetting the Internet which has also provided us with information. To show how computers can improve the teaching process you can view our video containing real class practice.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Doors to Diplomacy project?

To complete our project we used six computers belonging to our team members, six mobile phones (ours as well), a camera (Alex’s), a scanner (Veronica’s), many books either from our teachers or from the library. As part of our project we have made a survey which gave us a chance to talk to other students (around 100) or to people in the street (around 25). The most useful technologies were our computers on which we use Microsoft Office and the camera because we used them to do research, record information, write our project and do the final draft.

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your Doors to Diplomacy project both on-line and in person.

To complete our project we used six computers belonging to our team members, six mobile phones (ours as well), a camera (Alex’s), a scanner (Veronica’s), many books either from our teachers or from the library. As part of our project we have made a survey which gave us a chance to talk to other students (around 100) or to people in the street (around 25). The most useful technologies were our computers on which we use Microsoft Office and the camera because we used them to do research, record information, write our project and do the final draft.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

Like any “Doors to Diplomacy” project, we are trying to make a difference to the world. We have already started by going to different groups in our school and talked to them about our project and what it means. We have also convinced our high school to give us space on it’s official website to put our project. Furthermore we will publish articles in local and regional magazines or newspapers. All in all we are confident that our project will be a starting point and a challenge for our fellow students and our community, which will give them an insight into the importance of using international affaires and diplomacy in solving any global problem such as that of diets that our project depicts.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

We would like to think all those who have helped us with this project: our families and friends, our teachers and fellow students, the respondents to our questionnaire (especially forms 9A, 10…, 11A and 12…). Without them our task would have been a lot more difficult if not impossible. They have offered us support, encouragement, useful advices, patience. Last but not least we want to thank the technical staff from Global School for their assistance, patience and support in all difficulties.