Students and teachers from several Portuguese schools took part in the National Meeting of the European Parliament Ambassador Schools (EPAS)/UNESCO programme, held on 22 and 23 May in Ponte de Sor under the theme "From School to Europe: Building Bridges of Citizenship." The event aimed to promote knowledge of the European Union, European values, and active citizenship.

The meeting took place at the Ponte de Sor School Cluster and was attended by Dr Isabel Baltazar, Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair "The City that Educates and Transforms" at ISEC Lisboa and of the EPAS Portugal project. Also participating were senior and junior ambassadors from José Saramago Secondary School, Daniel Sampaio School Cluster, Francisco Simões School Cluster, Arraiolos School Cluster, Poeta Joaquim Serra School Cluster, and Dr José Macedo Fragateiro Secondary School.

The programme featured a range of activities, including group dynamics such as the participatory workshop "My Bridge to Europe," visits to the Arts and Culture Centre and the Cork Panel, a European Dinner, visits to the Windmill and the Molinology Interpretation Centre in Foros do Arrão, presentations by all participating schools showcasing their EPAS experiences, and a lecture on the meeting's theme delivered by Dr Eduardo Alves, Deputy Mayor of Ponte de Sor responsible for Youth Affairs.

The closing session was attended by Councillor for Education and Culture, Dr Isabel Sadio, who highlighted the importance of initiatives such as this in promoting European values, strengthening cooperation, and encouraging young people to play an active role in the advancement of democracy.

The UNESCO Chair "The City that Educates and Transforms" Association reaffirmed the importance of fostering strong links between education, citizenship, and sustainable development, underlining its commitment to preparing more informed, engaged, and responsible citizens who are equipped to address the challenges of the contemporary world.