ImEUs: Integration of Migrant students into European Union Schools Erasmus Project

Project Title

ImEUs: Integration of Migrant students into European Union Schools

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 : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Migrants’ issues; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Based on the Eurostat, about 4.3 million people immigrated to one of the 28 UE states during 2016. Among these 4.3 million immigrants, there were an estimated 2.0 million citizens of non-EU countries. Right now, about 20 million non-EU nationals live in the EU. In times when discrimination, prejudice, racism and xenophobia are rising it is imperative that everyone works for a more cohesive society. Among everyone, schools play a very important role to contribute on making Europe a more cohesive and inclusive society.

The participants of this project are 4 public elementary schools located in Aksaray (Turkey), Lodi (Italy), Moreni (Romania) and Barcelona (Spain). We participate together in this project because we all four face this current migratory challenges and we are all committed not only to the integration of these third-country nationals but also to the promotion of the UE democracy values.

Specifically, the school from Aksaray has about 50% of the students coming from non-UE countries, basically from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The school from Lodi has about 35% coming from non-UE countries, basically from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. The school from Moreni has about 20% coming from non-UE countries, basically from Pakistan, Syria and Irak. And the school from Barcelona has 95% coming from non-UE countries, basically from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco and South America countries.

The general objectives for this project are two: (1) increase the academic success among our students, and (2) increase the social cohesion for all children and community. In order to achieve these two objectives we plan on achieving six other specific ones: (1) improve the mastery of basic skills on English language competence; (2) improve the mastery of basic skills on the national language competence; (3) improve the ability of our students to use digital technological skills; (4) promote intercultural dialogue and bring communities together by sharing our countries’ culture; (5) recognize and empower the major elements of our non-UE students culture; and (6) promote peace and other democratic values.

To lead to the achievement of the project’s objectives we are planning two different kind of activities: (1) the long-term activities, that are going to last 48 months, and (2) two short-term joint staff training events plus two short-term exchanges of groups of pupils.

On one hand, the long-term activities are going to be: weekly posts on TwinSpace, European School Radio and Youtube; construction of a board game based on multiculturalism; creation of a life story using an Ebook; creation of a multilingual book; organization of theme celebrations at the schools; organization of monthly local activities with local NGO and charities; organization of monthly hands-on workshops with our families; or organization of a seminar with the schools close to us.

On the other hand, we will organize two short-term joint staff training events where lectures, workshops and school visits are going to be conducted; and we will organize two short-term exchanges of groups of pupils where traditional activities, cooperative games, project based learning activities and student guided tours are going to be organized.

To assure the success on the achievement of the objectives and the consecution of the activities, we will create a steering committee, formed by the coordinators of each country, who will meet twice a month on TwinSpace to do the follow up on the project. Aside from that, each country is going to create a school work team that is going to be in charge of leading the activities in the school.

The realization of this project is going to result in tangible and intangible results. Tangible results are going to be the posts on TwinSpace, European School Radio and Youtube; the multilingual book; the ebook; or the board game. But also, intangible results like the improvement on the language skills in English and in each nation’s language among the students; the improvement on technological skills; the improvement on language teaching methods among the teachers; the improvement on cultural awareness; the empowerment of students’ original cultural identity; or the development of more tolerance and empathy attitudes.

To guarantee the impact of the project we will create a website where we will publish all our activity. However, to maximize it we are also going to organize a school principal seminar, meet with local NGO and charities, meet with the local educational authority, send media release, publish a paper and share our results on the Erasmus+ Project Result Platform.

We have no doubt on the great potential long term benefits of this project. Not only these benefits include global awareness and understanding of other cultures; but also it is a great opportunity to build a stronger and more cohesive Europe where democratic values like tolerance, solidarity and peace will lead our countries and Europe.

Project Website

https://sites.google.com/view/imeusk229/home

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 92277 Eur

Project Coordinator

Rubén Darío & Country: ES

Project Partners

• Scoala Gimnaziala Nr. 1
• Istituto Comprensivo Lodi IV
• ZAFER ILKOKULU