The Olympic and Paralympic values will be spread around the globe in a cultural exchange between Brazilian school children and students from 17 other countries in an initiative promoted by the Rio 2016 education programme. Schools from the USA, Japan, Russia, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, France and Cape Verde will be among those taking part in the Conexão Transforma project that will run from mid-February to June.

“Transforma (the Rio 2016 education programme) is one of the Games’ contributions to Rio de Janeiro and other regions. We are extremely proud of this programme, which is already one of the great legacies,” said Mario Andrada, Rio 2016’s executive director of communications.

Rio 2016 education programme to go global with online launch

During the launch event last Friday (29 January), the heads of the Brazilian schools that will take part (all from the state of Rio) met with consulate representatives from the 17 participating countries at the Rio 2016 headquarters. They saw examples of activities which can form part of the project, such as storytelling about the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the practise of a range sports.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about new cultures and strengthen ties. This exchange can be continued long after the Games end”

Vanderson Berbat, Rio 2016 education manager

Brazilian high schools that are part of Transforma will interact with schools from other countries at a corresponding educational level. Students will take part in three steps: they will exchange friendship boxes with objects that represent their country and the culture of their school; they will record a video about a popular Olympic and Paralympic sport in their country; and they will hold a cultural fair to celebrate everything learnt about their sister school. The first stage will take place from 15 February to 31 March. The names of non-Brazilian schools will be confirmed in the coming weeks, but below is a list of the Brazilian schools and which countries they will partner with.

SCHOOLS AND COUNTRIES

1. Spain – C.E. Hispano-Brasileiro João Cabral de Melo Neto
2. USA – CIEP 117 Carlos Drummond de Andrade
3. Japan – C.E. Erich Walter Heine
4. Uruguay – C.E. Bangu
5. Argentina – C.E. Olga Benário Prestes
6. Canada – C.E. Dom Antonio Almeida Mores Junior
7. Great Britain – C.E. João Batista de Matos
8. Norway – Ciep 412 Dr. Zerbini
9. Netherlands – C.E. Elias Lazaroni
10. Peru – C.E. Monsenhor Miguel Santa Maria Mochon
11. Russia –C.E. Antonio Houaiss
12. Cabo Verde – C.E. Hebe Camargo
13. Panama – C.E Professor Clovis Monteiro
14. Switzerland – C.E. Infante Dom Henrique
15. Germany – C.E Pedro Alvares Cabral
16. Italy – C.E. Monteiro de Carvalho
17. France – CIEP 449 Governador Leonel Brizola Intercultural Brasil-França

The Rio 2016 education programme has already benefited more than four million students with activities that promote the Olympic and Paralympic values and the practise of sports, including many that are less well known in Brazil, such as rugby, hockey and goalball.