Bi-Annual Peer-to-Peer Social Awareness Seminars

Overview

The Bi-Annual Peer-to-Peer Social Awareness Seminars began as an initiative within the English department at Idalion Lyceum. What started as classroom group presentations evolved into a powerful platform where students explore, research, and present on socially relevant topics — in English — to their peers.

Inspired by the quote:

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
Benjamin Franklin

the seminars aim to put students at the center of learning - as researchers, collaborators, and presenters.

Educational Value

These seminars offer students the opportunity to:

Investigate social topics that interest them
Use English in meaningful, real-world contexts
Develop skills in research, teamwork, and public speaking
Present their work to a wider student audience
Engage in peer-to-peer learning

Seminar Timeline

1st Year: 2021–22

The pilot seminars took place during both school terms and received enthusiastic feedback.
Topics covered:

Internet use & online safety
Drug awareness

A school psychologist also participated in the second seminar to answer student questions.

2nd Year: 2022–23

We expanded the format by inviting all Lycea in Nicosia to participate.

Five schools joined, each presenting up to three projects

The seminar featured student-led presentations and open discussion

3rd Year: 2023–24

The in-school seminars evolved into a competition format in the 1st semester judged by English department staff using rubrics.

Top-scoring teams presented at the public seminars, with several other schools presenting their own topics in the second semester. Due to high participation, the event ran over three full days

4th Year: 2024–25

This year marked a significant milestone:
The seminars were officially held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, with the full support and cooperation from the English Inspector, Mrs. Elena Paraskeva, the initiative expanded to include schools in Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos.

A Message from the founder and visionary of the seminars, Valentina Karasiali

“These seminars began as a classroom project and grew into a national event. I’m proud of how our students have embraced the challenge to think critically, collaborate, and engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers.”

Some messages from participants

"I met so many new people"

"I loved the diversity in the projects"

"I really liked how lively and engaged students were"

"The atmosphere was very friendly and everyone seemed very open"

"It was great that we had the opportunity to show our ideas"

"I learned a lot about different topics

"The originality of the approaches and the enthusiasm of presenters and audience was impressive"

"I felt seen…"

A Message from Mrs Anna Lytra, Youth Officer of Cyprus Youth Board

As a youth organization, we congratulate Mrs Valentina Karashiali on this excellent initiative, which places young people at the centre and gives them the opportunity to engage with issues that concern society—especially the younger generation—such as mental health, homophobia, and bullying. The interest, enthusiasm, and teamwork demonstrated by the students, under the guidance of their teachers, in organizing and presenting these seminars is remarkable.

The knowledge, skills, and attitudes that young people acquire through participation in such initiatives are valuable tools for their personal, social, and future professional lives. They become active contributors to building a better tomorrow—for themselves and for society as a whole.