Migrations – broadcasting a new outlook Erasmus Project

Project Title

Migrations – broadcasting a new outlook

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 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; ICT – new technologies – digital competences; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy

Project Summary

Background: I.M.S Regina Margherita (Palermo, Italy) and Ivalo upper secndary school, Ivalon lukio (Ivalo, Finland) share a long history of joint projects resulting again in a fruitful cooperation in the project Migrations – broadcasting a new outlook. Unfortunately the third partner school Lycée Francais (London, UK) was not able to start the project, even though the application was approveded. In our project two themes were combined: migrations in Europe and online radio work.

Objectives: Participants became aware of the history of Europeans as a migratory population, how migration affect our lives, and what are the causes and consequences of refugees and migrants today. Other objectives were to exchange opinions on the topic, to contribute to the debate on migratory policies with the aim to break down barriers, to learn how to communicate one’s ideas in debates, researches, and interviews, and to learn how to use and manage a web radio which aims to spread opinions and ideas transnationally. Students also improved their skills in English and ICT and they got a broader view of life around Europe by participating in the project meetings in Ivalo, Palermo and Rome.

Number and profile of participating organisations: 1) I.M.S Regina Margherita in Palermo is a lyceum with Communication as the main point in their teaching objectives and with more than 2,000 students. The school also collaborates in the promotion of activities and projects of the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, along with other programmes which promote foreign and second language development. 2) Ivalon lukio is a small upper secondary school with about 80 students providing general secondary education in the far north of Finland. The distinctive features of the region are long distances, three Sámi languages and cultures coexisting with the Finnish language and culture, (Inari Sámi, Northern Sámi and Skolt Sámi). The school has an important task to support these languages and cultures, to help keep the only indigenous peoples culture in Europe and their languages alive.

Description of undertaken main activities: The starting point was the history of migrations in Europe. Students did research on migrations yesterday and today to understand the causes and consequences of them. Students looked into the present situation mainly from the point of view of culture, music, sports and literature. They familiarized themselves with ethnic music and artists with various backgrounds, football teams with players around Europe and some literary extracts depicting the life of immigrants and refugees in their new homelands. Students made eg interviews, which were broadcast using web radios. They also learned to communicate their views, opinions, research etc and learned how radio programmes are made. This was done during ordinary lessons and during project meetings where workshops were organized to prepare the material. They learned how to collaborate with each other in English and improved their ICT skills by using online tools in their work. The methodology used in carrying out the project were Social reserach mehtod, learning by doing, hands-on method and peer learning. Ivalon lukio created a web page where the results of the project can be seen and listened to (https://peda.net/inari/inarin-kunna-koulut/ivalon-lukio/kp/mbano). A Facebook group was created and ICT was used when ever it was possible. Web radio broadcasts enabled everybody to have access to them fast and easily. Eighteen students and four teachers were able to do volunteer work at Caritas, Mensa Giovanni Paolo II in Rome for two days, serving free lunch to the poor, immigrants, and homeless people.

Results and impact attained: Students learned to understand the history of Europeans as a migratory population, the causes and consequences of modern migration and the situation of the refugees and immigrants, and how this all affects our lives in different parts of Europe. In addition, they learned how to communicate their ideas via online radio broadcasts, how to do research and make interviews. They improved their group work skills, English and ICT skills, as well. Students were introduced new learning environments and new learning methods. Participating students, teachers and hosting families made new friendships with foreign peers which would, hopefully, last for long. They got a broader view of life in Europe when attending project meetings, a deeper insight in school systems in different countries, a better understanding of the situation of refugees and migrants, and received knowhow in digital radio work.

The appreciation of a welfare system, one’s own good life and possibilities to study and get a profession and live a meaningful life increased and will hopefully carry students far. The experiences gave a motivating boost to students and improved the self-confidence of those participating the project meeting in Rome and doing voluntary work at Caritas.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 41620 Eur

Project Coordinator

Ivalon lukio & Country: FI

Project Partners

• Istituto Magistrale Statale “Regina Margherita”
• Lycée Francais Charles de Gaulle