An Investigation into Immigration within the European Union Erasmus Project

Project Title

An Investigation into Immigration within the European Union

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 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Romas and/or other minorities; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; ICT – new technologies – digital competences

Project Summary

Context/Background of the project

The background to this project lies in the most recent wave of immigration to the European Union and the movement of citizens within the EU-27. Recent unrest in the Middle East and North Africa has seen thousands of refugees make the attempt to gain access to the European Union in order to seek a better life for themselves. This has lead to many deaths as in desperation those who are in most need will attempt the most riskiest of passages in order to escape persecution, war and famine. Combined with this wave of immigration has been the movement of workers within the European Union, most notably from new accession states in search of jobs and economic advantage. In many host countries this has lead to tensions with some questioning the rationale behind EU immigration policy.

As immigration rates to the EU rise with current world events within founding member states of the European Union there has been a rise in ‘Race Hate’ crime combined with attacks on what are seen as one of the core principles of the European Union, that is the Freedom of speech and expression i.e. Charlie Hebdo attacks. Commentators have said that the European Union has become too big and should effectively close it’s door’s to immigrants, while within the European Union, in some member states, there has been a growing sense of nationalism and drive for self determination.

Within this social and political context there lies a need for open and honest discussion about the impact of immigration on host and home countries, a need to examine how immigrants have integrated.

Each of the project partners mentioned within come from a different socio-economic and political background and it is with these project partners that we aim to openly discuss through the medium of film the true impact of immigration within the EU.

Objectives of the Project

Key objectives include the promotion of Tolerance, Respect, Diversity, Perception and Inclusion.

Enhancement of the ideals of the European Union and Scared Heart Education.

Development of transnational skills for Employability

Number and Profile of Participants

4 Project Partners from across the EU have been identified

3 of the Partners have experience of working on European Projects

Strong Leadership teams and core teams have been established

Excellent ICT support is available to the lead school and partner school

The Project will be carried out with 30 16/17 year old pupils’ in each partner school.

Description of Activities

Transnational meetings (target setting, sharing good practice, planning and review)

Digital Storytelling Workshop

Guest speakers from Political groups, N.G.O’s, local and national Charities

Culture Days

Interviews with minority groups

Armagh Film Festival

Debates/Question and Answer sessions about immigration

Poster and Postcard campaigns

Creation of Blog re: Immigration

Exhange and Collaboration on using Social Media

Methodology used

SMARTER targets, RACI matrix, SWOT analysis

Mix of qualitative and quantitative assessment

Core Teams in each school

Timetable of activities

Regular monitoring, dissemination and communication

Relationship building combining ICT methodologies (skype/ Blog/ Podcast) and visits

Description of Results/Impact and Benefits

Develop transversal skills in participants – particularly in the area of Digital Literacy

Higher inter cultural awareness

Higher interest, tolerance and respect for other countries, cultures and people.

Have a greater knowledge of the reasons for immigration, the causes and consequences

Have an understanding of EU formation, objectives and expansion

Have a better knowledge about living/ school life in other countries

Establish personal contacts with pupils from cross sector and partner schools through ICT and mobilities

Build on the desire to travel and explore new places

Develop social skills and the ability to work in teams

Raise awareness within the local community about local minority groups with whom interviews and films are being made.

Local minority community involved in Culture Days

Nationally minority groups will be involved in postcard and poster campaigns

Project discussed and modeled as ‘best practice’ with other schools at local level

Project discussed with other schools internationally (that are part of the Sacred Heart Network) and modeled as ‘best practice’ at the European and International Heads and Deputes meetings.

News coverage at a National level will have a wide impact in forming peoples opinions and views.

Lobby and advocate for a change in Laws

Lobby in order to change views and perceptions

Creation of films which provoke, inspire, enthuse and cause people to examine their perception of immigration and immigrants

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 61900 Eur

Project Coordinator

Saint Catherine’s College & Country: UK

Project Partners

• ASSOCIATION SCOLAIRE LA PERVERIE
• Centro Santa Magdalena Sofia Congregación Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Provincia España Norte
• Mount Anville Secondary School