Dreams + Teams 2008  
My Culture + Your Culture = A Better World

This was the theme that young people from Northern Ireland and the Netherlands chose for their sports and culture festival which was held at RSG ‘t Rijks in Bergen op Zoom.

Students from six different schools were brought together and followed a specially-devised course for Young Leaders. Not only did they develop their leadership qualities, but they also learned about each others’ cultures and backgrounds, for example by doing Irish dancing and riding a bicycle to school. After three intensive training days the young leaders organized a very successful festival for 11-year-old students, in which they played typical Irish and Dutch sports and games.

On 7 March at 8.30am, 170 first-year students arrived at the RSG ‘t Rijks. Four sports halls were decorated with flags and bunting and set up for different activities such as Gaelic Football and Hurling. Besides sports activities, one room was dedicated to cultural activities. In the cultural room the first-year student learned more about Northern Ireland and took part in Irish dancing. The young leaders also designed a Dreams + Teams certificate that was awarded to all students at the end of the festival.

				“Had a great time! Met lots of new people, feel a lot more confident in myself now! Had a class week!”
	“It was very successful. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely do it again. I learned a lot and met many people I wish to maintain friends with.”

Participating school in the Netherlands - Openbaar Zeister Lyceum, Zeist - RSG t Rijks, Bergen op Zoom - St Gregorius College, Utrecht

Participating schools in Northern Ireland - St MacNissi’s, Carnlough - St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt - St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook

Please take a look at our photo gallery, where you can experience the look and feel of a great Dreams + Teams event.

For more information please contact Anna Devi Markus