Odyssey – Migration and its Influence on Teenagers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Odyssey – Migration and its Influence on Teenagers

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 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Integration of refugees; Migrants’ issues; EU Citizenship, EU awareness and Democracy

Project Summary

Migrations are not new. They have existed since the beginnings of time. Humans have always wanted to live in peace and prosperity as the UN charter of human rights says is within their rights and have followed migratory patterns to do this. Due to the conflicts of today’s world we, in Europe, have recently experienced a new rise in migrations.

Although Europe has begun to control and secure its borders, there is still a large number of illegal immigrants making its way to European shores. The OMIT project was born due to the impact these migrations have had in an economically recessive Europe. As educators, it is our duty to help shape the attitudes of the new generations of Europeans, to increase their empathy towards the migration phenomena, to dismantle false beliefs and prejudices and to reinforce the significant idea that we are all migrants. Ultimately, to aid them to create a stance more congruent with the idea of the united, tolerant and amiable Europe we have been building so far.
To achieve this, every participating school chose about 20-30 students aged 13-18, of mixed gender, with a communicable command of English so as to be able to participate in the project. The students had to analyze migrations historically, socially and politically focusing on the illegal migrants that seek entrance to Europe every day and how they are dealt with (legal framework); Each partner institute was responsible for a theme strategically suited to the social reality of their situation. These themes were presented at the LTTAs in each country accordingly (e.g. the Azores took over migrations in the past while Greece took over migration in the present, etc.).

In particular, during all LTTAs the tasks agreed upon were carried out and presented by the students, in particular during:
LTTA1 students:
– mapped migration routes for each country and interviewed five different migrants
LTTA2 students:
– visited a refugee camp “LM Village” and took part in a simulation game based on “Passages” by UNHCR
LTTA3 students:
– presented the legal framework for immigration
– worked out and performed skits on the push- and pull-factors for migration
LTTA4 students:
– executed presentations on migration and its influence on our societies
– visited the German Emigration Centre in Bremerhaven to study the steps of migrants into and from Germany
LTTA5 students:
– researched and presented cartoons on migrations
– created posters showing tolerance and intolerance towards migrants
– worked on editing the video on the topic “Europe – a welcoming place?”

Teachers also held meetings during the LTTAs so as to plan future mobilities and activities. During the TPMs teachers:
– set up the timetables for each year
– collaborated in creating surveys, questionnaires and drafting reports
– evaluated the project work done
– discussed further work to be done and laid out details for future student tasks
– planned the logistics of future mobilities
– checked eTwinning space and web page
– discussed the impact and sustainability of the project
– worked on the mobility tool

To further aid in the success of the project we held three online meetings where logistics were discussed.

The project impacted participants in various ways:
Students:
– a differentiated perception of migration.
– developed critical thinking in terms of increased understanding and tolerance which will benefit their communities in future as they will carry and pass on these attitudes.
– enhanced their intercultural competence, communicative and team work skills.

Participating teachers:
– acquired a better understanding of the migrant situation in the partner countries
– expanded their teaching and learning repertoire by becoming exposed to partners differentiated teaching methodology
– improved digital competence, virtual collaboration and use of open educational resources through the planning of project tasks
– developed cross-curricular multi-disciplinary methods
– improved their foreign language competence

All these skills will provide long term benefits for their schools as they will pass on these skills to their colleagues.

Partner institutions
– developed a network with different project partners, local authorities and associations, cementing partnerships and communication channels which will outlive the lifespan of the project.
– strengthened parents – school communication by directly working together to complete project tasks.
– optimized school resources.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 124305 Eur

Project Coordinator

Gymnasium Neue Oberschule & Country: DE

Project Partners

• IES LUIS SEOANE
• 3 Gymnasio Kalamatas
• Colegiul Economic Buzau
• EBI Francisco Ferreira Drummond