New approaches opposite old stereotypes. Erasmus Project

Project Title

New approaches opposite old stereotypes.

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Inclusion – equity; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy; Social dialogue

Project Summary

SCOPE
Differences are essential to humanity. They represent a condition of birth and they shouldn’t trigger conflict or even hatred. Most recent events of European social stage prove that we continue to be victims of fixed mentalities and according to these we estimate and appraise humans that belong to contrasting cultural groups according to ready-made appreciation which are not relevant in depicting reality. The fact that we all are different and unique individuals should be a reason to celebrate,not to instigate conflicts. No matter which the skin color is, religious practices & beliefs,family line or ideas,we feel that all individuals have a right to be respected.
As soon as people learn this,we will be ready to live harmoniously in respect and common acceptance.
The topic is the more valuable nowadays, the more increasing the immigrants number is. Greece,Turkey,Romania, 3 of the partners are struggling to understand this situation and handle it by developing various programs and initiatives etc. Poland and Portugal,as EU members are also familiar with this issue.
We decided to prioritize this topic for our schools/project because the sooner students learn about and understand the problem of stereotyping and discrimination,the greater chances will the world have to change, for individuals to coexist in harmony with each other.
OBJECTIVES
We want to reach the following objectives:
-to address hate behavior and speech inside school walls
-to boost social awareness, tolerance and empathy for Roma people, immigrants and refugees
-to combat stereotypes and to raise awareness concerning the dangers they cause
-to enhance the know-how linked to addressing the problem of discrimination and stereotyping
-to foster students’ active involvement in the social life related to the topic of discrimination and stereotyping
-to fortify schools and NGO’s connections-NGO’s that are tackling identical issues
PARTICIPANTS
The partnership addresses a focus group of 370 students of various specializations, girls and boys,aged between 15-18.
We see this age as a critical one, when the risk that they may develop lasting negative attitudes about other people, grounded on prejudices and stereotypical thinking, is very high.
The project targets teachers, counsellors and psychologists from our schools who will develop the project’s outcomes.
We planned 5 LTTA meetings
Topic 1(C1)-Religious non-discrimination: ordinary stereotypes connected to religious beliefs and different religions; effects of these stereotypes.
Topic 2(C2)-Discrimination and stereotypical thinking: ordinary ethnical stereotypes-nationality related; direct/indirect/multiple discrimination; discrimination forms and effects-transphobia, xenophobia, homophobia.
Topic 3(C3)-Racial and gender equality: ordinary racial and gender stereotypes and the effects they trigger; how to combat them?
Topic 4(C4)-Religious non-discrimination: ordinary stereotypes connected to religious beliefs and different religions; effects of these stereotypes; case analyze of situations when religious discrimination and stereotypes had catastrophic consequences.
Topic 5(C5)-Discrimination and stereotypical thinking in school: how to address and find solution to this issue?
METHODOLOGY
The project is going to cover 5 main fields:
F1.PROJECT MANAGEMENT
1.Creation and implementation of practical methodologies: participants’ selection, Cooperation & communication, reporting
2.Financial management
3.Risk management
4.Evaluation papers and monitoring reports for activities and outcomes
F2.SELECTING & PREPARING THE PARTICIPANTS
F3.ORGANIZATION OF MAINSTREAM ACTIVITIES(C1,C2,C3,C4,C5)
F4.CREATION OF TANGIBLE OUTCOMES
F5.CARRYING OUT DISSEMINATION
1.Creation of project’s web-site and doing regular updates
2.Setting up the eTwinning account
3.Creation of materials-flyers,banners,brochures,posters etc
4.Organizing dissemination events/meetings
5.Creation of sustainability plan

At students’ level we promote the following results:
Raised awareness on EU democratic values; increased determination to actively involve in campaigns against discrimination at local levels; Increased intercultural awareness,dialogue and communication;raise level of tolerance,social awareness,empathy for Roma ethnicity,immigrants,refugees;advanced knowledge related to concepts of discrimination and stereotyping and domains in which these might manifest,the risks and dangers they trigger;improved critical thinking and English skills and data manipulation.
Tangible results:
Informative material created to be exchanged; creative ‘European diversity’ topic related prose and poems written by students; video recordings of role plays; posters on topic ‘NO HATE in schools’, ‘United as one under the EU sky’; students’ photos for ‘I am not you but we can be together’ competition concerning cultural differences; collection of different interactive games&activities with purpose to raise awareness on dangers of discrimination & stereotypes

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 163751 Eur

Project Coordinator

Zespol Szkol Agrotechnicznych & Country: PL

Project Partners

• Colegiul Tehnic Mihail Sturdza
• CARSAMBA 75. YIL MESLEKI VE TEKNIK ANADOLU LISESI
• GEL ZOSIMAIAS SXOLIS IOANNINON
• Agrupamento de Escolas Miguel Torga-Sabrosa