European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

EUROPEAN PROGRAMMES FROM SPAIN 119Additionally, the major goal of projects among institutions, speciallythose orientated towards teacher training and development is to createprogrammes, courses, strategies or teaching materials aimed at theformation of teachers. Apart from improving the quality of training atEuropean level, their main contribution is the establishment of linksamong professionals in education from various European countries.StudentsEvery activity and educational project generated by the Socratesprogramme points at its main target: students, with the mediation ofteachers and institutions.Students should play an active role in their learning process throughtheir participation in the dynamics of innovation and renewal of theEurope of knowledge. The Socrates Programme plays a prominent rolein the construction of European awareness and, simultaneously, in theformation of responsible citizens in today´s society.Students are, thus, the main beneficiaries of the joint action ofeducational institutions and teachers. This does not mean, however,that their role is confined to being mere recipients of such action.The observations and remarks made in the previous sections aremeaningful so long as the maturity process of the students´ personalitiesis, individually and collectively, taken into consideration.Throughout the Socrates Programme, a hierarchy of priorities maybe established in relation to educational goals and learning contentdirected to students.It is impossible to anticipate tomorrow´s education without previouslyassimilating the progress that the current technological revolution hasbrought about. This means that ignorance or inadequate usage oftechnology is not compatible with an understanding of today´s world,that is, with innovation and development.Language learning is necessary not as a goal in itself but as innerneed for understanding differences and as a means of interculturalcommunication.Furthermore, the content and meaning of values which should be anessential part of education anywhere and any time —above linguistic,ethnic and cultural differences— are also radically presented. Everyaction within the Socrates Programme considers solidarity, convivialcitizenship, respect and motivation (in short, all the values which makethe society that possesses them different to the rest) priority objectives.We should never forget that students are citizens undergoing aprocess of maturity and transition. For this reason, they constitute the