Intercultural Education in Primary Schools, Erasmus Project

Project Title

Intercultural Education in Primary 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 : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development); Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Education shall be directed to the full development of human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. (UNESCO, Intercultural Education).There are number of effective ways to tackle child inequality. The role of education in integrating migrants and enhancing social cohesion appears to have been accepted and recognised at official level. While the inability of current school systems to tackle this issue is now recognised. The progress is being made at policy level, as far as practice is concerning.

The “Grow from Seeds” programme will facilitate an intercultural dialogue and explore social inclusion in modern Europe within our primary school education system. This cross European project will nurture a creative and artistic response to the ever changing needs, demands and issues of living in a multicultural society as seen through the experiences and creativity of our young children. By tackling these issues at an early age in a fun, educational and innovative way we can generate greater understanding and teach our children to celebrate their commonalities and embrace each other’s differences.

The “Grow from Seeds” Project will be developed in three stages:

THE Play “Seeds” will be created to address and explore the issue of social inclusion on a new multicultural Europe, particularly among young children, through the medium of visual arts, storytelling and creative drama. The initial phase is specifically designed to be performed in primary schools (Germany, France and Ireland) . This first staging will allow teachers and children to familiarize themselves with the shows essence and format in order to facilitate; “Grow from Seeds” Programme

YEAR ROUND PROGRAMME/Course for teachers in Ireland accredited by Dept. of Education and Skills. The year round programme and play will :

-encourage assertive behaviour,
-building greater empathy and confidence
-raise awareness among children, youth and adults (the play will be for the school community including parents/guardians)
-build a collaborative classroom environment
-develop creative thought and expression in children
-gain a sense of confidence in their ability to engage
-cultivate their reflective skills
-teach on intercultural skills (INCA model)

THE STORYBOOK-Having experienced the show, grasped its’ essence and participated in ongoing class based drama, writing and art workshops, the schools are then invited to stage the play in a new school, mapping the journey of the project and the creativity of the children involved. The aim of each story is to show people learning how it’s our differences that make the world and our society such an interesting place but it’s how we cooperate that keeps it turning.

This project will be implemented and developed with cross European partners. Grow from Seeds is a multi-faceted project with enormous potential, opening up a mutually beneficial and creative dialogue around the topic of multi- culturalism, identity and social inclusion.

The target groups to be addressed are:

– pupils in primary schools
– Primary school teachers/ Principals/policy makers and Professionals

The project is carried out by a partnership made of theatre company, acting school, charity and 3 primary schools . Together we will develop an education programme using active learning methods, creative drama, visual arts, to raise awareness amongst pupils of their human rights, challenging social exclusion and building empathy amongst pupils. Outputs will include an E-Book outlining context and theory of intercultural education, the Handbook on the play, the Handbook on the Education Programme will provide a step by step guide on how to deliver the programme consisting of play and year round programme to the target audience.

A report on participants’ experience of taking part in the programme will provide insight into the actual workings of the programme. The lessons learned report will provide a platform for sharing knowledge with wider community. Capturing and using lessons will allow other stakeholders learn from our previous experience thus avoid re-inventing the wheel; help stakeholders at different levels understand the relevance of activities in the intercultural education, thus improving collaboration and coordination; inform decision-makers to help promote a more enabling environment in the prevention of social exclusion.

A common need of all of the partner organizations in this proposed project is to find new ways to educate, and provide teachers and pupils with the skills to protect themselves and those they educate. The impact envisaged is wider awareness amongst pupils of their rights, increased intercultural skills and understanding of diverse society and new teaching methods for teachers and wider community.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 242321 Eur

Project Coordinator

The Gaiety School of Acting, The National Theatre School of Ireland & Country: IE

Project Partners

• Gilden-Grundschule
• Kildare Town Educate Together
• PLAN IRELAND CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE LIMITED
• La Transplanisphere
• ASSOCIATION SPORTIVE ET CULTURELLE LES FOUGERES ELEMENTAIRE