TAKE OUT STEREOTYPING OUT OF YOUR LIFE Erasmus Project

Project Title

TAKE OUT STEREOTYPING OUT OF YOUR LIFE

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Gender equality / equal opportunities

Project Summary

Context
The differences between us are essential to humanity. They are a circumstance of birth and should not become a source of conflict
or hatred. The latest events on the European social stage show us that we are still victims of some deeply rooted mentalities
according to evaluation of human beings belonging to different cultural groups based on some ready-made appreciations
which have no connection with the reality. We are all unique and different from each other, but this is a reason for celebration rather
than conflict. We believe that all people deserve respect, irrespective of skin colour, religious beliefs and practices, descendance or ideas. If people understand that, we will be able to live in harmony, respect and acceptance.
The project entitled “Take out Stereotyping out of Your Life” created strong and beneficial European community from five organisations: 3 general (basic and secondary) and 2 vocational high schools. According to our common beliefs and attitude to the latest events on the European social stage shown us that we have common concerns about the people’s stereotypical attitude to different European countries.
The reason why we chose to make this topic a priority for our schools and project is the fact that the sooner in life students become
aware of the problem of stereotyping and discrimination, the better chances will be for the world to change and for people to
live in harmony with each other.
We reached the following objectives:
– learnt to combat hate speech and hate behaviour inside schools;
– increased social awareness, tolerance, empathy for the immigrants and refugees
– destroyed stereotypes and raised awareness about the risks they cause
– improved the know-how related to tackling the issues of stereotyping and discrimination inside schools
– promoted the active involvement of students in the social life on the topic of stereotyping and discrimination
– strengthened the relationship between schools and local NGOs who are addressing the same issues
Participants
The project addressed a target group of 360 students in our school, who were 15-18 years old. We believed that this is a critical age, when the risk is higher for them to develop long-lasting negative attitudes towards other people based on stereotypical thinking and discrimination. The project also addressed teachers in our schools, school counsellors and psychologists who turned the project results into long-term practices at local levels.
Main activities:
1.We had 4 student exchanges entitled: C1 – Stereotypical thinking and discrimination, C2 – Gender and racial equality, C3 – Religious equality, C4 – Stereotypical thinking and discrimination in schools. An e-book and paper book made by partners. It is the set of the project material “NO HATE in our lives – Breaking free from stereotyping and discrimination” which includes all presentations, workshops material and products students done at schools.
2. Partners organised meetings with NGOs leaders, lecturers and even members who are involved in these organisations activities and help them to integrate in countries society. Students had questions sessions, discussions, debates on issues these organisations take care.
Methodology
The project covered 5 main areas:
– Project management
1. Design and implementation of methodologies – selection of participants, communication ways, reports about project impact to participants.
2. Financial management
3. Risk management
4. Monitoring, evaluation of activities and results
5. Organisation and attendance of TMs
– Selection and preparation of participants
– Organisation and participation in exchanges
– Elaboration of tangible results
– Dissemination plans and ways
1. Creation of website and updates
2. Creation of e-twinning space
3. Design of materials – brochures, posters, banners, articles
4. Dissemination meetings
5. Elaboration of sustainability plan
Results and impact
The results we proposed were at the level of the students:
– increased awareness of the EU democratic values, desire to participate in local campaigns against discrimination, increased better intercultural and social awareness;
– developed tolerance, empathy towards immigrants and refugees;
– expanded knowledge of stereotyping, the dangers, discrimination and the areas in which they could manifest;
– improved English skills, data manipulation, critical thinking skills, team work abilities (local and transnational exchanges)
Tangible results
– informative materials developed for the purpose of the exchanges, debates, workshops and meetings with NGOs taught students on the topic of European diversity, recorded videos, posters on the topic of “NO HATE in schools”, “United as One under the European Sky”, photographs of students for the competition about cultural differences “I am not You but We can be Together”, an e-book “NO HATE in our lives – Breaking free from stereotyping and discrimination”.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 114050 Eur

Project Coordinator

Kaltinenai Aleksandras Stulginskis gimnazija & Country: LT

Project Partners

• ISTITUTO OMNICOMPRENSIVO GUGLIONESI
• SOLSKI CENTER SLOVENJ GRADEC
• Colegiul Tehnic “Napoca”
• OZEL ESENLER UGUR TEMEL LISESI