Following our breakthrough in the field of education and language training in the 1990s, our education projects launching in 2010 have been a real success involving schools, education experts, cultural institutes and even the European Commission. Hungary has been fortunate to receive a Royal couple the same year.
The Duchess of Cornwall viewed 'Rivers of the World' project exhibition
A Royal visit in 2010 not only helped strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries, but enhanced the educational collaboration between institutions in the UK and Hungary. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall - now Her Majesty the Queen - and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales - crowned King Charles III in May 2023 - visited Hungary in March 2010.
As part of the course of events, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall visited Móricz Zsigmond Grammar School. The highschool is one of five schools in Szentendre linked in a 3-year project with five schools in London.
The Duchess viewed the 'Rivers of the World' exhibition, which puts young Hungarian pupils' perspectives of the Danube side by side with London schoolchildren's perspectives of the Thames. The project showed how creativity and insight can generate intercultural dialogue from an early age. The 'Rivers of the World' project is a great example of the British Council’s work in Hungary, promoting education with a specific focus on the environment. Working with young people from an early age helps build networks across countries, brings people together between the UK and other countries to share, celebrate and explore their local environment as well as learn about global issues (e.g. climate change, cultural diversity).
Connecting Classrooms
In 2010, another outstanding educational collaboration took off via the 'Connecting Classrooms' initiative in Europe including Hungary.
This project built lasting partnerships between groups of schools in the UK and in over 60 countries around the world. Through these partnerships, the programme developed understanding and trust between young people in different societies, creating a safer and more connected world for the future.
Connecting Classrooms (Europe) aimed to connect schools through collaborative work both in-country and internationally.The international school partnerships were usually focussed around one or more projects such as student voice, diversity and inclusion. The development of student voice and student leadership has been a significant outcome of the programme. Students have learnt important life and employment skills and have increased their abilities in many areas including leadership, project management, presentation skills, teamwork and communication. Schools themselves have also developed, becoming more democratic structures through the influence of this motivated group of students.
Our partner was the Pedagogical Institute of Budapest (Mérei Ferenc Fővárosi Pedagógiai és Pályaválasztási Tanácsadó Intézet). Ten schools from Budapest participated in the first year of the project and 20 more joined the project in September 2011 from all over Hungary.