Importance of youth involvement
Schools require various programs to help children learn about society and culture, and cemeteries can offer an unexpected yet powerful experience. Since the future of cemeteries depends on the attitude that these children will develop, experiencing cemeteries as cultural heritage of their city may change their perspective so that they will be keener to support the preservation of cemeteries and other relevant activities.
About the project
European cemeteries Route (CEMR), which was created under the auspices of ASCE, started the "Schools on Cemeteries project" in order to produce useful materials for school programs, construct general program guidelines, certify and expose best practices, and promote best teachers and kids who perform outstanding work.
To highlight the historical, artistic, architectural, and educational richness that these spaces have, students are given the opportunity to use cemeteries as their classrooms, and enjoy in listening, learning, and interacting with history, geography, art, architecture, use of modern technologies and more in a different and interesting way. The experience of walking through a cemetery and discovering the diversity of stories and meanings behind the graves and tombstones, is a stimulating, creative, challenging, and intriguing activity that can take students to another level of critical thinking and reflection on cultural heritage and their lives.
Examples of good practice
Many European cemeteries are already implementing different projects for students and are collaborating with local schools on a regular basis. Some examples of good practice can be found at the links below or on the European Cemeteries Route website.
We invite you to share your experiences, opinions and advice on this topic with us at admin@significantcemeteries.org.