Inter Cultur l Dialogue Best Practices

I n a world which is constantly shrinking due to globalisation, anda European Union which is growing through the process of enlargement,intercultural dialogue is a subject that is increasingly touching the lives of

European citizens on a daily basis. Recognising this, the European Commissionhas decided to declare 2008 the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue,underlining the important contribution of intercultural dialogue to the EuropeanUnion’s strategic priorities. Through its policies and programmes, it has alwayssupported this important subject, which lies at the heart of European Unionpolicies. This catalogue showcases some results of the programmes and initia-tives on this theme supported by European programmes up to the present day.

Disseminating and building upon the achievements of project results, whetherthey are products, processes or practices, to meet the requirements of new andexisting users is now recognised as a priority. This means getting the most outof projects so that their results have a longer shelf life. There is a real demandfor innovative materials and best practice and more and more stakeholders arerecognising the need to build on the vast experience and material available.Investment in projects is investment in Europe’s future and the future of itscitizens, and it is therefore important to invest wisely. My service, theDirectorate-General of Education and Culture, is therefore actively promotinga strategy for the exploitation and transfer of results from its programmes inorder to ensure that we draw the maximum benefit from the projects we finance.

The projects featured in this catalogue show examples of best practice in the workplace, in educational contexts and in daily life. They were selected bya panel of independent experts drawn from the various programmes of theEuropean Commission. They highlight how intercultural dialogue - a subjectwhich is sometimes viewed as intangible - can be translated into concreteactions that can inspire others and be adapted to different contexts. They showa variety of methods that have been used to get the message of interculturaldialogue across to people at all levels. These tangible results show how inter-cultural dialogue can be integrated throughout society.

I hope that these examples will inspire you and encourage you to incorporateintercultural dialogue in your educational systems, workplaces and daily lives.

DG Education and Culture - Culture

The impact of migrationson cultural identity in Europe 2

Interfaith dialogue as a means forintercultural dialogue 4

Urban culture in Europe:promoting diversity and inter-city exchange 6

An original transnational cooperationfor the production of films aboutthe unique character of European expansion 8

DG Education and Culture - Civil Society

New dimensions for European culture 10

A new way of thinking about Europe 12

Diversity in libraries 14DG Eucation and Culture - Youth

Dilemmas of democracy 16

Folks tales: images of diversity 18

A meeting of cultures 20

A platform for European cooperationin the fight against racism 22

Young volunteers work for social integration 24DG Education and Culture - Comenius

European cooperation between schoolsto fight against exclusion and promotethe concept of tolerance 26

Fairy Tales in modern environment 28

ICT and artistic creation as the focal pointof the intercultural dimension 30

Networks for change in schools 32

A partnership between Comenius schoolsto promote the notion of respect 34

DG Education and Culture - Leonardo da Vinci

The clothing industry faces the challengesof intercultural differences 36

The contribution of European cooperationin the training of cultural organisers 38

Intercultural management: a key elementin company strategy development 40

A network to promote social inclusion 42

Preserving Romania’s cultural heritage 44DG Education and Culture - eLearning

Media texts and contexts for young peoplearound the world 46

DG Education and Culture - eTwinning

Budding young reporters shapethe journalism of tomorrow 48

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

A company policy for inclusion andthe fight against discrimination 50

DG Enterprise and Industry

Engaging migrants in science 52DG Justice, Freedom and Security

Comic strips: a common languageto promote common values 54

DG Research

Building Europe with new citizens 56

Migrants: a model for successful integration 58

Jan FigelMember of the European Commissionresponsible for Education, Training,Culture and Multilingualism

TABLE OF CONTENTSARTICLES PAGES

WHAT IS THE CULTURAL IDENTITY OF SECOND-GENERATION MIGRANTS IN EUROPE?

The new face of Europe is determined by the diffe-rent member states which are becoming more andmore cosmopolitan, particularly in major cities.We are currently witnessing a new generation ofyoung people who are redefining their culturalidentity in a changing Europe. Many children ofmigrants were born in Europe, went to school inEurope and would like to work and start a familyin Europe.

How is the process of finding one's own identityaffected by the experiences of different nationali-ties and the ethnic, religious and cultural influen-ces? The project 'Born in Europe' was developed inthis context, by five European museums. The pro-ject features an exhibition, with photos andvideos by twelve artists from ten European coun-tries. These elements were chosen to reflect thehopes, desires and worries of people who live inEurope and see it as part of their future.

AN EXHIBITION PRESENTING THE EXPERIENCES OFMIGRANT FAMILIES

The portraits of 25 migrant families with their new-born babies in Berlin, Gothenburg, Lisbon,

Copenhagen and Aarhus are presented in this exhi-bit. The photographers who participated documen-ted the daily life of these young families fromtwenty different countries with the curators of themuseums involved in the project. In addition tothese portraits, a number of videos deal with theproblem of the integration of families in thesuburbs of big cities. In addition, a series of photo-graphs entitled 'The Doors of Europe' by a Spanishphotographer show the harsh reality of refugeestrying to enter the fortress of Europe.

A publication entitled 'Born in Europe' (NeuköllnMuseum, Berlin 2003, ISBN 87-7602-001-0) alsopresents portraits of immigrant families. This 186-page book is published in German, English,Portuguese, Danish and Swedish.

The aim of this exhibition is to provide an idea ofwhat Europe means to people with a different cul-tural heritage. It attempts to underline the emo-tions of these people who live in Europe, as well asencourage visitors to explore these new aspects ofour cultural diversity.

The impact of migrationson cultural identity in EuropeThe aim of the project 'Born in Europe' is to examine what it means to be born in Europe. Throughmany different activities (conferences, exhibitions, seminars, videos, etc), the project deals with the issues of birth and migration in Europe, especially with regard to children of immigrants. The project examines their belonging to Europe while discussing their outward cultural identity, thus opening the debate to include issue of the integration, mutual understanding and acceptanceof everyone in Europe.

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Programme DG EAC - Culture

PromoterOrganisation Museum Neukölln

Address Ganghoferstrasse 312040 Berlin

Country Germany

Name Udo GOESSWALD

Tel 00 49 30 68092535Fax 00 49 30 68093811 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Portugal, Austria, Denmark, Sweden

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RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE IN EUROPE AND CULTURAL IDENTITY

Since the fall of the Berlin wall, religion has acqui-red a renewed importance, which is expressed inarchitecture. New urban constructions affect theconstruction of current religious buildings. Theobjective of this project, which is supported byCulture Programme 2000, is to work on a number ofchurches in Germany, Austria and Poland and toexplore the main issues related to religious archi-tecture.

This project, which is coordinated by the ORTEarchitecture network based in Austria, organised anexhibition on the theme of religious architecture inEurope since 1989 with its German and Polish part-ners. This exhibition presents contemporary deve-lopments in the construction of churches and aboveall deals with their role in our society, thus openingthe discussion and debate to include the notion ofcultural identity in Europe.

ANOTHER APPROACH TO INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE

The exhibition was held from November 2005 toFebruary 2006, presenting the results of this pro-ject supported by the research which was conduc-ted. The exhibition presents the different architec-tural concepts applied to the construction of reli-gious buildings. It also examines the role of chur-ches in our contemporary societies.

The exhibition also welcomed schools, and invitedyoung people to reflect on the existing connectionsbetween interfaith dialogue and intercultural dia-logue. The project favours intercultural dialoguethrough interfaith dialogue and thus contributes tothe discussion on cultural identity in Europe.

In addition to this exhibition, the project alsoreleased a book presenting twelve churches inGermany, Austria and Poland and discussing theprinciples of construction in relation to contempo-rary architectural debates.

Interfaith dialogue asa means for interculturaldialogueThis project brings together a network of partners in the field of architecture in Austria, Germanyand Poland who have worked on religious architecture in Europe since 1989 and its role in ourcontemporary societies with regard to the concept of European cultural identity.

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PromoterOrganisation ORTE Architekturnetzwerk

Niederösterreich

Address Steiner Landstraße 33504 Krems-Stein

Country Austria

Name Marcus NITSCHKE

Tel 00 43 2732 78374Fax 00 43 2732 78374-11 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Germany, Poland

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INTERCULTURAL PROCESSES IN THE HEARTS OFOUR CITIES

Multi- and intercultural processes are becomingmore and more complex. This research project dealswith the issue of cultural diversity in six majorEuropean cities. The project examines the existinginteractions and cooperation in these differentcities in order to draw attention to all aspects ofthe concept of cultural diversity. For example,issues such as the establishment of cultural diver-sity policies in cities, the use of urban space in anattempt to favour better multi- and interculturalcooperation, the development of different artisticor cultural activities at local and internationallevel, respect for local identities while preservingcultural diversity, the new elements created by glo-balisation in terms of active multicultural practices,and collaboration between major European citiesare all dealt with in this project.

A NECESSARY EXCHANGE OF GOOD PRACTICES– A THREE-YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT LINKING SIX MAJOR CITIES

Six major cities have taken action in order toconduct comparative studies about these differentsubjects and issues: Barcelona (Spain), Budapest(Hungary), Paris (France), Tallinn (Estonia), Rome(Italy) and Warsaw (Poland).

Throughout the project, the research conducted bythe different participants has provided answers tomany questions, such as ways to deal with culturalareas (the duality between inhabitants/tourists),the diversification of new cultural practices andindustries, the most recent trends in culturalexchanges between major cities, and relations bet-ween the local community and multiculturalism.

RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT BOOSTING THE CULTURAL SECTOR

Research results have produced a series ofrecommendations aimed at encouraging themobility of organisers in the cultural sector, inparticular those involved in cultural industriesand developing synergies and multi- and inter-cultural dialogue.

Urban cultural in Europe:promoting diversityand inter-city exchangeCurrent migrations and diasporas create new challenges in terms of cultural differences. Europe hasa long tradition of cultural plurality, but with current developments, societies have no alternativebut to manage these new forms of interaction with newcomers. The concept of cultural diversitymust therefore be reconsidered not only at national level but also at the level of our metropolises,which are true laboratories for new multicultural and intercultural approaches.

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The research conducted in these six metropoliseswas discussed during a presentation at a confe-rence entitled 'Metropolises of Europe – urban cul-tural life and inter-city cultural interactions for cul-tural diversity in Europe' organised by the CIRCLEnetwork ('Cultural Information and ResearchCentres Liaison in Europe') with the WarsawResearch Institute and Pro Cultura in September2005.

A book entitled 'Metropolises of Europe – Diversityin Urban Cultural Life' was published in two langua-ges (Polish and English) by Pro Cultura Publishingin Warsaw, and includes recommendations for allstakeholders involved in the elaboration and imple-mentation of cultural policies in European metro-polises, in addition to each city's national reportsand the description and analysis of cultural pheno-mena and trends.


PromoterOrganisation CIRCLE, Pro Cultura Foundation

Address Pro Cultura Foundation ul.Mazowiecka 11 m. 12 00-052 Warsawa

Country Poland

Name Dorota ILCZUK

Tel 00 48 22 826 60 21Fax 00 48 22 826 60 21 E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Hungary, Italy, Spain, Estonia,Germany, Finland, Russia, Croatia

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SHORT FILMS PAINTING A CONTEMPORARYPORTRAIT OF EUROPEANS

In 2004, the CICEB (Consortium des InstitutsCulturels Européens à Bruxelles) initiated theLARGE film project. LARGE is composed of 8 shortfilms lasting 8 to 15 minutes, each the product of acollaboration between 3 young and talented pro-fessionals – a producer, a director and a scriptwri-ter – from a different country in the new EuropeanUnion, where they were selected. They met eachother and began their collaboration during a pre-production seminar organised in Brussels.

The series paints a contemporary portrait ofEuropeans, reflecting the diversity of cultureswithout over-simplifying, with respect to the chosenthemes as well as the original production process.In digital format and subtitled in 19 languages, itcan be programmed as 8 short films or a long 90-minute programme, and offers a good way to redis-cover Europe.

A PROJECT BASED ON TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION

The Danish scriptwriter Mogens Rukov (Festen, It’s

All About Love), promoter of the collection, coa-ched these young professionals. The project'sconcept, realisation and promotion received sup-port from three producers/mentors: DespinaMouzaki (CINEGRAM, Greece), Olivier Guerpillon(DFM, Sweden) and Ales Hudsky (SYNERGIA, CzechRepublic).

LARGE captured the interest of the EuropeanCommission, which financed it via Culture 2000,and several non-financial partners including theCoordination Européenne des Festivals de Cinéma(Pierre Duculot), Cineteca di Bologna (Guy Borlée),Alternativà in Barcelona (Tessa Renaudo) andPremiers Plans in Angers (Frédéric Lavigne), who allplayed an advisory role throughout the project.

The European dimension of the different produc-tions encompasses 24 countries including all of thenew member states. Each short film brings toge-ther directors, producers and scriptwriters from dif-ferent countries, thus enhancing the interculturaldimension in the production of the different worksas well as in the subjects treated.

An original transnationalcooperation for the productionof films about the unique character of European expansionLARGE is a film celebrating the unique character of the expansion of the European Union. By gathering producers from old and new member states, the aim is to share the concept ofexpansion and cultural diversity with the widest possible audience. LARGE will also enablethe creation of networks of young producers in Europe.

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PromoterOrganisation Alliance Française

de Bruxelles-Europe

Address 26, rue de la Loi 1040 Brussels

Country Belgium

Name Marie-Aude MATIGNON


Partner countries: Germany, Czech Republic, France,Denmark, Spain, Italy

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ENLARGEMENT OF MINDS

The entry of ten new member states to theEuropean Union on 1st May 2004 was the biggest,but not the only, event of major significance forEurope at that time. The European Parliament’sfirst enlarged elections were held, a newCommission appointed and a new generation of EUcultural programmes prepared.

The ‘Enlargement of Minds’ programme was inten-ded to inform policy-making at this key moment inthe development of European culture. The ultimategoals were “ to create in Europe a sense of belon-ging to an open and diverse community, a sense ofsolidarity and a new creativity to reshape theEuropean project” and to achieve “an enlargementof minds which will not only counteract the kind ofpreconceptions which lead to prejudice, but whichwill also build on the emergence of a renewedEuropean civic society.”

Three major conferences brought together promi-nent artists, politicians and many other individualsand organisations active in the area of culture:

each conference focused on a different theme andproduced a manifesto offering guidelines forpolicy. Various practical projects were also set up,including measures to support mobility, researchinto the cultural implications of enlargement andan online forum on cultural cooperation with SouthEast Europe.

SHARING CULTURES

To disseminate the results of this two-year pro-gramme, ECF organised a major conference,‘Sharing Cultures’, in 2004. ‘Blue Book – on theroad to a cultural policy for Europe’ was publishedto coincide with the conference. The introductionestablishes the innovative format of the book: “Thispublication is not a report, is not a reader, is not asummary of proceedings. This publication statesand illustrates, seeks to inspire and to convince. It argues for the urgency of making culture thebasis of European integration, of stimulatinggenuine cross-border cultural cooperation, of sha-ping comprehensive cultural instruments and poli-cies for Europe of Sharing Cultures.”

New dimensions forEuropean cultureThe enlargement of Europe in 2004 offered new opportunities for culture which the EuropeanCultural Foundation was keen to advance. It organised a two-year programme, ‘Enlargement ofMinds’, in the run-up to 2004, with debates, advocacy campaigns and a range of collaborative projects. To disseminate what had been achieved, a thought-provoking book was published at the end of the programme. The ‘Blue Book – on the road to a cultural policy for Europe’ includespersonal views from prominent European artistic and political figures about the importance of cultural diversity and a manifesto offering guidelines for the implementation of cultural cooperation.

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The book contains personal views from prominentartistic and political figures about cultural policyand the importance of cultural diversity. It alsooffers guidelines on European cultural policy in theform of three manifestos produced from the threeseminars in the ‘Enlargement of minds’ programme.The first is on cultural and educational cooperationbetween the enlarged EU and its new neighbours;the second on enhanced Euro-Mediterranean cultu-ral cooperation; the third on cultural cooperationwithin South East Europe.

The book was aimed at policy makers involved incultural cooperation, cultural organisations andindividuals involved in the field. 5000 copies weredistributed and the book was reprinted because ofpopular demand. It is also available online. Thepolicies outlined in the book are now a guidingprinciple for the work of the European CulturalFoundation.

Programme DG EAC - Civil Society

PromoterOrganisation European Cultural Foundation

(ECF)

Address Jan van Goyenkade 51075 HN Amsterdam

Country The Netherlands

Name Gottfried WAGNER


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HIGH-PROFILE LAUNCH

The Leeds Development Education Centre wanted tohelp young people think about Europe and theirrole as European citizens in a completely new way.As well as educating them to understand how theEU operates and their rights and responsibilitieswithin it, the Centre wanted to teach them what itmeans to be a European citizen in today’s diversesociety, learning about justice and equality inEurope and the wider world.

The Centre devised a programme to equip teacherswith the skills and resources needed to bring thenew ideas into the classroom. The project was laun-ched with a high-profile conference attended by agovernment minister, delegates from NGOs andeducation authorities, members of black and ethnicminority groups and interested schools. Under thetheme of ‘EU citizenship in a multicultural Union’,they discussed the best ways of engaging youngpeople’s interest in the issues. A seminar for NGOsthen looked at how to deliver recommendationsfrom the conference within the curriculum.

BRINGING NEW IDEAS INTO THE CLASSROOM

To promote schools’ interest in the project, aware-ness-raising workshops and a showcase event forteachers were organised. These were followed bytraining sessions for teachers who could then deli-ver in-service training to their colleagues on waysof integrating the new ideas within the curriculum.Teachers in 29 schools attended the training ses-sions and they were given a Trainers’ Manual spe-cially produced to help them roll out the training intheir schools. A package of teaching resources wasalso provided to schools taking part in the pro-gramme; this included details of further training onspecific topics available through the DevelopmentEducation Centre and other bodies.

MORE THAN A LOCAL SCHEME

200 teachers implemented the new teaching ideas,which reached 5400 students. To mark the successof the project, a day-long conference and debatetook place at Leeds Civic Hall, with 180 studentstaking part in workshops and debates with repre-

A new way of thinkingabout EuropeWe think of the EU in terms of different countries and different nationalities, but there are manydiverse communities within these countries. It is important for young people to be aware of thisdiversity and to value people from different cultures. To achieve this, 29 schools in the city of Leeds(UK) took part in a scheme to incorporate new ideas into the curriculum. The scheme involved 200 teachers and reached over 5000 students: it is now being disseminated in other parts of Europe.

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sentatives from Germany, Nicaragua, Senegal andSouth Africa.

In order to sustain the life of this significant butlocal project, a network of civil society organisa-tions was set up around Leeds and internationalpartners were established to continue the work inother parts of Europe. The structure of the project,the careful coordination of the promotional andtraining events and the support materials developed- all offer a model which can easily be transferredto other contexts and countries.


PromoterOrganisation Leeds Development

Education Centre

Address 233 Roundhay RdLeeds LS8 4HD

Country United Kingdom

Name Adam RANSON

Tel 00 44 113 380 5660 / 5655Fax 00 44 113 380 5656 E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Germany, France (Nicaragua, Senegal, South Africa)

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A NETWORK WITH LOCAL IMPACT

Libraries have an obvious role in offering free infor-mation about other cultures and ethnic groups. Asthey are used by many sections of society, they alsohave the potential to provide a natural meetingplace for people of different cultures. The successof libraries in promoting intercultural understan-ding depends on the books and information availa-ble and the resources to fund activities. Librarystaff need to be committed to raising awareness ofintercultural issues and able to organise eventspromoting this. As libraries operate on a locallevel, they can have a very direct impact on the sur-rounding communities.

EXPLOITING THE POTENTIAL

In 2002, the Multicultural Centre in Prague coordi-nated a project, ‘Diversity in Libraries’, aimed at

developing the role of public libraries in promotingintercultural understanding and dialogue. Freeliterature was distributed to 500 libraries in thefour countries of the project partners – the CzechRepublic, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.The literature included information about the his-tory, traditions and present-day situation of coun-tries and communities represented locally, as wellas books about general issues related to migrantand minority groups.

Competitions were organised by libraries to encou-rage children to think about the valuable features oftheir own and other cultures. In the Czech Republic,cultural events took place to promote use of the newresources. Librarians attended specially-created trai-ning sessions to develop their intercultural aware-ness and discuss practical ways of promoting unders-tanding and inclusion. A website was created to helplibrarians, with practical guidance and information,including a multicultural books acquisition service.

Diversity in libraries Public libraries can offer a lot more than just a place to read or borrow books. They can play animportant role in raising awareness of different cultures and promoting the integration of minoritygroups. This was the starting point of a three-year project coordinated by the Multicultural Centre in Prague and now in its second phase, which aims to disseminate the experience more widely in Europe.

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BUILDING ON SUCCESS

To disseminate the results of the ‘Diversity in libraries’project more widely across Europe, a second stageis now underway. ‘Libraries as gateways’ sets outto engage new libraries in implementing the mostsuccessful activities from the first stage. Marketresearch amongst both Czech libraries and usersfrom minority groups will help inform the imple-mentation. The aim is to produce guidelines whichdistil the experiences of the partners, with exam-ples of best practice and ideas for promotionalactivities.

The guidelines will be made available not only tolibraries but also schools and local authorities,which can inform policy at a higher level. On amore European scale, this will help libraries realisetheir potential as a unique space for the meeting ofcultures.


PromoterOrganisation Multicultural Center Prague

Address Vodickova 36 (Palac Lucerna)116 02 Prague

Country Czech Republic

Name Radka NEUMANNOVA

Tel 00 420 296325345Fax 00 420 296325345 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Germany, The Netherlands

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WHEN HUMAN RIGHTS CONFLICT WITH DEMOCRACYIn every democratic society, citizens are guaran-teed certain basic human rights such as freedom ofspeech, the right to privacy and religious freedom.But what happens when these rights conflict witheach other – or if the security of a democraticsociety is threatened?

‘Free2choose’ was originally created as a temporaryexhibition for Anne Frank House in 2005. Now,thanks to EC funding, the exhibition can accom-pany ‘Anne Frank – a history for today’ on its exten-sive tour round Europe. The project has alsoenabled the adaptation of the original materials –catalogue, manual for guides, audio-visual mate-rials, website – into the ten languages of the pro-ject partners. In this way, a local project is beingdisseminated on a truly European scale.

EXHIBITION AIMS TO BE PROVOCATIVE

The ‘Free2choose’ exhibition consists of fifteenshort video clips, dubbed into the ten languages ofthe partners. The clips highlight five themes: free-

dom of speech, religious freedom, freedom of thepress, the right to demonstrate and the right to pri-vacy. Each clip focuses on a concrete issue illustra-ting these themes from different parts of the world:examples include the banning of an ETA-affiliatednewspaper in Spain and a law to prohibit the bur-ning of the US flag. National project partners havebeen given the budget to produce up to three addi-tional video clips showing issues of local and natio-nal relevance.

The video clips are designed to appeal to youngpeople, with an animated figure presenting thecase studies and the questions arising from them.Visitors are asked to give their views on electronicvoting consoles. They can then compare their res-ponses with those of other visitors in the room atthe time and over the course of the exhibition.

SPARKING PUBLIC DEBATE

To ensure maximum public awareness and partici-pation in the exhibition, debates are being organi-sed in each city visited by the exhibition – any-

Dilemmas of democracyAnne Frank House, one of the most visited museums in Amsterdam and a monument to personal bra-very in the face of fascism, has created a touring exhibition based on its permanent displays. ‘AnneFrank – a history for today’ will be visiting five cities in each of 11 countries to remind people of the importance of protecting human rights and democracy.

Supplementing the touring exhibition, a new section, ‘Free2choose’, has now been added to bringthese issues right up to date. This ‘exhibition within an exhibition’ uses very topical examples to show the tensions between defending human rights and protecting democracy. It is targeted atyouth and aims to provoke thought and debate on a complex but vital issue.

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thing from a large public event to one involving justa few school groups. Reports from the debates willbe published on the national project websites.Partners will receive funding to maintain andupdate their website and will be supplied with gui-delines for running debates and publicity materialsin their own language.

In May 2007 an international conference will enableall partners to share the results of the project, withthe participation of 22 young debaters – two fromeach partner country to give feedback and attractmedia attention. There may be no clear answers tothe questions raised, but the project will have raisedawareness of some vital human rights issues.

Programme DG EAC - Youth

PromoterOrganisation Anne Frank House

Address P.O. Box 7301000 AS Amsterdam


Name Levien ROUW

Tel 00 31 20 5567173 Fax 00 31 20 6238765E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France,Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, UK

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YOUNG PEOPLE EXPLORE INTERCULTURAL DIVERSITY

“Becoming more European does not mean forget-ting our national cultural heritage, but sharing itwith other European nations.” These words, fromformer EC ambassador Michael Lake, served as theinspiration for this exchange.

Folk tales were chosen as the main focus of activitybecause they are expressions of the culture withinwhich they were born. Their very survival indicatesthat their significance and power is still alive andrelevant.

Working in multi-national groups, participants hadto research folk tales and discover historical andcultural values in them specific to the country orethnic group which the tales came from. Each wor-king group then presented their findings, demons-trating to all participants the values embodied inthe tales and the cultural diversity of Europe.

This message was reinforced by national eveningsin which youths from the same country presentedtheir national traditions and tested other partici-pants’ general knowledge about their country in aquiz. A forum to discuss stereotypes was also orga-

nised. Day trips, entertainment and games comple-ted the exchange programme.

Care was taken to ensure that every participantmixed with people from other countries at all sta-ges of their stay together.

PROCESS, NOT PRODUCTS

At the end of the exchange, participants produceda sample of their work to be published on the pro-ject website – a Polish folk tale scripted, designedand digitalised by themselves. It has been used inschools and language clubs by some of the partnersas a way of stimulating discussion. But the purposeof the exchange was not in concrete end-products.What mattered was the process of youths meeting,exchanging views and experiences and makingfriends. In this way, they had a unique opportunityto gain intercultural understanding.

The project had other lasting effects. The exchangeis part of an ongoing annual series and each yearnew partner nations are involved, so that a networkof partners is gradually developing. Links to othernetworks have also been established and offerpotential for further exchange.

Folk tales: images of diversityFolk tales were the focus of a ten-day youth exchange bringing together participants from five countries.The youths, aged 17-19, were selected from underprivileged or disadvantaged backgrounds and theexchange offered them an opportunity to spend time with their counterparts from other countries.Researching, discussing and presenting folk tales was used as a vehicle for understanding culturalvalues and the importance of diversity in Europe. The experience of living and working together wasitself a significant step towards gaining intercultural awareness.

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PromoterOrganisation Angol Muhely Kulturális Egyesület

(Angol Muhely Cultural Association)

Address 38. Petofi Street4220 Hajdúböszörmény

Country Hungary

Name Zsolt ÖKRÖS

Tel 00 36 30 349 0450 Fax 00 36 52 280 763E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Poland, Slovakia, France, Finland

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NORTH MEETS SOUTH

In July 2005, 36 youths met in Strasbourg to takepart in a project designed to change their outlookon many important issues. Six participants camefrom each of three EC countries – Germany, Swedenand France and six from each of three Mediterraneancountries – Turkey, Lebanon and Algeria.

The programme was coordinated by the AssociationMigration Solidarité et Echanges pour le Dévelop-pement, drawing on its links with local organisa-tions to help create a programme of activities whichhad strong connections with the local community.

Four half-day workshops were organised, each pre-sented by a local figure active in the relevant area,followed by a debate amongst participants. Oneworkshop examined migration and inequalities inequality between north and south, a second lookedat issues of identity and cultural diversity amongstminorities, a third at religion as a potential obsta-cle to integration and a fourth at how Europeshould deal with immigrants’ rights.

To approach issues of intercultural diversity from a

different angle - the personal experience of thestudents – each national group spent one after-noon preparing a presentation of aspects of theirtraditions and culture. Participants were struck bythe cultural differences in the way the presenta-tions had been produced as much as in the content.

Visits to local places of interest included some ofparticular relevance to the theme of the exchange:a guided tour of the European Parliament; a tour ofa concentration camp, where a war veteran reinfor-ced lessons about extremes of intolerance and therejection of diversity.

AN EXCHANGE ROOTED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

The themes raised during the exchange had manypoints of relevance to the community in which itwas held. Alsace has a large migrant population,especially Turks, and it has seen a big growth in theextreme right over the past 15 years. So theexperts who led workshops were discussing very liveissues from their own day-to-day working experiences.

Interaction between the participants and the local

A meeting of culturesYouths from three northern European countries and three non-EC Mediterranean countries cametogether for a two-week exchange on the theme of the fight against racism and xenophobia. The exchange raised participants’ awareness of cultural diversity through a wide range of seminarsand debates, cultural workshops and visits. Feedback from the youths, a video diary and local presscoverage all indicate the success of this project.

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community was an important feature of theexchange. Students stayed in a hostel where manyresidents were Turkish and North African. They per-formed their national cultural presentations in theevenings to local people. They also hosted an inter-cultural dinner, for which each national groupcontributed one part of the meal, inviting as guestspeople from the local community who had helped inthe exchange and also journalists.

AN EXPERIENCE NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN

For the students, this was an intense learning expe-rience, living, working and relaxing with peoplefrom different cultures and religions. Feedbackfrom local residents was also very positive andthere was some press coverage of the exchange.

One participant summed up the experience: “To beopen is really important! Such a project is the bestthing you can do! It changes you, you learn aboutpeople, cultures… And you also change others!”.


PromoterOrganisation Association AMSED

Address Espace Nord / Sud 17,rue de Boston 67000 Strasbourg

Country France

Name Djilali KABECHE

Tel 00 33 3 88 61 71 67 Fax 00 33 3 88 61 71 67E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Germany, Sweden, Algeria, Lebanon,Turkey

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THE NEED TO SUPPORT AND REINFORCE YOUTHORGANISATIONS IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST RACISMAND XENOPHOBIA

Racism, nationalism, fascism, discrimination andasylum policies are subjects which appear to servenational interests above all, but which also have aEuropean dimension. A large number of studieshave underlined the difficulties encountered byimmigrants, refugees and ethnic minorities everyw-here in Europe.

Created in 1992, the UNITED network (Europeannetwork against nationalism, racism and fascismand in support of migrants and refugees) offers aplatform for volunteer cooperation between morethan 550 organisations in 46 European countrieswho work together in the biggest anti-racism net-work. The objective is not so much to coordinate somany different organisations, but rather toincrease the effectiveness of campaigns and theexchange of information throughout Europe, whichhas become an imperative.

This is the context of the project 'A European youthvision', supported by the European YouthProgramme. Its aim is to support and accompany

the different youth organisations in their efforts tofight against discrimination, racism and xenophobia.

A WIDE RANGE OF TOOLS AND ACTIONS FOR ORGANISATIONS IN THE FIELD

The project includes the organisation of a series ofEuropean conferences as well as specific actionssuch as the International Day Against Racism andthe International Day Against Fascism andAntisemitism.

This involves fieldwork to identify and documentyouth organisations at local level in their actionsagainst racism. All of the work carried out by youthorganisations in this field may be accessed throughan information point (by telephone and internet).Information materials (poster, postcards, stickers,brochures, etc) were published during the differentinformation campaigns and were also widely distri-buted across Europe.

Throughout these activities, the project promotesunderstanding and cooperation between differentcommunities and nationalities, thus contributing totrue intercultural dialogue in the field.

A platform for Europeancooperation in the fightagainst racismThe aim of this project is to reinforce youth organisations in Europe and beyond in their effort to fight against discrimination, racism and xenophobia. It provides tools and training for youth professionals in order to promote activities in the fight against discrimination and also offers a wide-ranging platform including awareness-raising events, information campaigns, conferencesand publicity materials.

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PromoterOrganisation UNITED for Intercultural Action

- European Network AgainstNationalism, Racism, Fascismand in Support of Migrants andRefugees

Address Postbus 413 NL 1000 AK Amsterdam


Name Geert ATES


Partner Countries : All European Countries

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COUNTRIES EXCHANGE VOLUNTEERS

As the third and final phase of its major ‘Youth andEuropean Solidarity’ programme, the InternationalCultural Youth Exchange coordinated volunteeractivities under the EC’s European Voluntary Serviceaction. This action aims to motivate young peopleto contribute to human rights and reconciliation ineach other’s countries, facilitating inclusion andthe integration of marginalised groups.

Fifteen volunteers were selected from differentnational and cultural backgrounds: eight from EUmember states in western and northern Europewent to centres for migrants and refugees andhuman rights organisations in countries of SouthEast Europe; seven volunteers from Balkan coun-tries went to the EU member states.

PREPARING FOR CULTURE SHOCK

Living in a foreign country for 6-12 months, thefirst time many volunteers had been away fromhome, working with people from different cultures

and speaking different languages – it all adds up toa big culture shock. The volunteers were given trai-ning to help them prepare for this. A three-daycourse in Berlin gave an overview of the host coun-tries and covered practical aspects of the visit. Onarrival in the host country, volunteers received afurther three-day training in the details of local lifeand the situation of migrants and refugees in thecountry. Language lessons were also availablewhere needed.

VOLUNTEERING – A TWO-WAY EXCHANGE

The host communities benefit from the time,energy and practical ideas brought by the volun-teers, as well as their personal skills and a differentcultural perspective. For the volunteers, as well asgaining unique insights into issues of social inclu-sion and human rights, they also developed theirintercultural understanding through working in adifferent ethnic, cultural and religious environ-ment. For many, the experience proved enrichingand maturing.

Young volunteers work forsocial integrationIn 2004, fifteen volunteers made a big commitment which has changed their lives as well as thoseof the communities within which they worked. The volunteers, aged 18-25, gave 6-12 months oftheir time to work abroad in centres for refugees and migrants and with human rights organisations.As well as their time, volunteers contributed ideas and experience from a different cultural perspective.In return, they gained first-hand knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged and marginalisedgroups, intercultural understanding and a lasting commitment to support human rights.

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At the end of their visits, volunteers had a chanceto meet up at a debriefing workshop in Berlin.Here they exchanged experiences, found out aboutthe possibilities of further involvement in humanrights work and discussed their future plans. A volunteer from Macedonia reported: “The wholeproject was a very life-enriching experience for me,during which I learned a lot… not only about thecountry where I stayed but also about myself.”

Volunteering projects like this have a long-termimpact on the volunteers as well as the local com-munities in which they work. It is a way of gainingthe commitment of a new generation of ambassadorsto the values of social inclusion and human rights.


PromoterOrganisation International Cultural Youth

Exchange – International Office

Address Große Hamburger Str. 30 10115 Berlin

Country Germany

Name Andreas SCHWAB


Partner Countries: Austria, France, Italy, Lithuania,Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia,Serbia, Montenegro

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A TEACHING PROJECT INVOLVING FOUR PRIMARYSCHOOLS

The transnational partnership developed betweenfour schools in Bulgaria, Poland, Lithuania andTurkey allows each school to organise a cooperationproject in the framework of regular classroom acti-vities on a common theme, in this case the integra-tion of underprivileged youth and awareness-raisingabout the concept of tolerance. This cooperationbetween schools allows an exchange of experiences,a discovery of different aspects of cultural, socialand economic diversity in each country, an increasein general knowledge and a better understandingand appreciation of other people's points of view.

This COMENIUS project also offers students and tea-chers an opportunity to improve their skills, notonly regarding the subject or focus of the project,but also in terms of teamwork, social relations (stu-dent-student, student-teacher) and the organisa-tion and implementation of collaborative actions, aswell as a chance to become familiar with the use ofinformation and communication technologies. Thisproject also associates school heads and local repre-sentatives of different cities involved in the project.

ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATING SOCIAL AND CULTURALEVENTS

The main objective of this project is to promote thevalues of friendship beyond borders and help inte-grate underprivileged youth in our society.Activities are aimed at raising awareness abouttolerance among all those involved (students, tea-chers, parents) and allowing them to discover thecultures and religions of partner countries, thuscreating open-minded attitudes of towards othernations.

Throughout the project, the schools prepare variousactivities such as photo exhibits, presentationsabout the history, traditions and cultures of eachpartner country, theatrical performances, charityconcerts and sports competitions for the differentEuropean gatherings organised.

Each partner organises publicity for all of theseactivities with the different local media (press,local TV, local radio, etc) as well as on a websiteallowing access to a large number of these events.(www.friendshipwithnolimits.com).

European cooperation between schools to fightagainst exclusion and promote the concept oftoleranceThis partnership between schools supported by the SOCRATES/COMENIUS programme deals with the issue of tolerance and exclusion of the most underprivileged, by making students aware of othercultures and other countries through the organisation of activities for exchange and dialogue as wellas cultural and sports events in four different countries.

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Programme DG EAC - Comenius

PromoterOrganisation Secondary School 'Iordan Radichkov'

(renamed by decree of the Ministry of Education,formerly 'Ivan Peitchev')

Address 10 'PARTA' Str 3400 Montana

Country Bulgaria

Name Boyka SIMEONOVA

Tel 00 359 96300665E-mail ivan_peitchev@ abv.bg

Partner countries: Poland, Lithuania, Turkey

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A TEACHING PROJECT WITH STUDENTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

This transnational partnership developed betweentwo schools in Slovenia and Finland allows 9-year-old students an opportunity for exchange, dialogueand exposure to culture in another country. Eachschool organises the project in the framework ofregular classroom activities based on a commontheme- fairy tales in a modern environment.

The Slovene students created a modern version ofthe traditional tale of Snow White (first in Slovenethen in English). This work culminated in the orga-nisation of two theatrical performances, one inSlovenia during the Finnish school's visit, and theother in Finland during the organisation of thesecond transnational event.

AN ACTIVE TEACHING METHOD ALLOWING THEDISCOVERY OF ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

This exchange between students and teachersenabled the discovery of the language and cultureof another country. The Slovene students were ableto benefit from exposure to the Finnish languageand culture during 20 sessions organised specifi-cally in the framework of this project. This approachalso involved email exchanges between studentsfrom the two classes in Slovenia and Finland.

The project demonstrates the importance of theintercultural dimension of the exchanges, expres-sed in a small collection of poems about friendship(written in three languages, English, Slovene andFinnish), as well as a DVD presenting the theatricalperformances.

Fairy tales in a modernenvironmentThis partnership project between schools supported by the Comenius action of the SOCRATES programme associates two countries (Slovenia and Finland) in an effort to favour intercultural dialogue. The students write tales and poems together in their mother tongue and in English andprepare theatrical performances of their productions.

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PromoterOrganisation VIZ II. OS Rogaska Slatina

Address Kozjanskega odreda 4 3250 Rogaska Slatina

Country Slovenia

Name Jozica NUC

Tel 00 386 3 5814 906Fax 00 386 3 5814 178E-mail [email protected]

Partner Country: Finland

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AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECT OVER 3 YEARSUSING ARTISTIC CREATION AS A MEANS OF INTER-CULTURAL DIALOGUE

Through artistic creation (drawing, music) theschools involved in this project organise a workingprogramme integrated into regular classroom acti-vities. This 3-year project is made up of three majorphases. The first phase involves learning to use dif-ferent computer tools for artistic creation (specificdrawing and painting programs). The focus of thesecond phase is students' artistic creation in coope-ration with national artists and some galleries. The last phase is centred on a series of activities to share and circulate the works in the 7 partnercountries.

The chosen themes concern the environment in itswidest sense and encompass other subjects such aslanguages, history, sciences, music and informa-tion technology. The final objective is to raise chil-

dren's awareness about artistic creation whilst allo-wing them to discover local artists and learn aboutother cultures and traditions.

AN UNDENIABLE CONTRIBUTION OF ICT INENHANCING EUROPEAN COOPERATION

Seven European meetings took place during thedevelopment of the project and allowed theEuropean dimension of activities to be reinforced.Teachers, parents and students were able to bene-fit from these exchanges and meetings, thus crea-ting a true opportunity for intercultural exchangesand dialogue.

These physical exchanges were accompanied by vir-tual exchanges (notably between teachers via vir-tual working communities) as well as by the launchof a very attractive website allowing access to all ofthe phases of the project as well as its products(http://www.ecolenet.nl/artproject/).

ICT and artistic creation as the focal point of theintercultural dimensionThis Comenius school partnership project brings together schools in 7 countries and aims to introduce students (aged 6 to 12) to art, as observers and also as artists themselves. On a moregeneral level, the objective is to allow all of the students to have a better understanding of the cultures in each country by familiarising them with the artists in their respective countries andthrough on-going exchange (using internet technologies) between the different schools involved in the project.

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PromoterOrganisation Solkan Primary School

Address Solska ulica 25 5250 Solkan

Country Slovenia

Name Viljenka SAVLI

Tel 00 386 5 330 77 00Fax 00 386 5 300 55 14E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: England, Italy, Portugal, Romania,Spain, Sweden, Slovenia

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MIGRANTS: THE IMPACT ON SCHOOLS

Migration is not new to Europe: it is a normal partof society. Schools need to transmit this historicalperspective as part of their mission to promoteintercultural understanding and the values of tole-rance against discrimination and xenophobia.Students should learn that, although migration hasincreased in recent years because of globalisationand the impact of greater mobility within the EU, itis still part of the normal development of Europeansociety. This understanding will help equip themwith the right attitudes to handle a rapidly chan-ging world.

Schools also have to ensure that migrant childrenare offered equal access to learning opportunities:this may require modification of teaching contentand methodologies as well as support structures.

A NETWORK OF NETWORKS

To encourage the development of new teachingmethodologies and materials and foster new attitu-

des, this project has established a network of fourtypes of institutions: research centres, archives andlibraries which hold source material on migrationand intercultural relations; teacher training organi-sations which can adapt these materials to createteaching resources; school teachers; educationauthorities which can act as a link between theother types of institutions.

A programme of meetings has been set up to pro-mote the exchange of information and developnew initiatives. National partners liaise witheach other through small working groups; inter-national seminar groups bring together partnersfrom each of the four institution sectors. Anannual conference enables all partners to meet.Work is supported by an extensive website offe-ring information on activities and new projects, adirectory of research and resources for intercultu-ral education and links to relevant non-partnerorganisations.

No materials are generated by the project itself. Itspurpose is to create a network with sufficient struc-ture and power to enable partners to develop new

Networks for changein schoolsMigration is having a major impact on schools in the EU. Equal access to learning opportunities mustbe ensured and schools need to actively promote intercultural understanding. Full implementation ofEU policies requires a concerted effort between key players in education across Europe.

To facilitate this, a network has been established between education institutions within countriesand between countries. The aim is to exchange information and ideas and create a support structurefor new initiatives. A programme of national meetings and international conferences and workshopsis backed up by an extensive website offering a database of research, resources and links.

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initiatives and implement change; the network alsooffers support for this process.

THE NETWORK EXPANDS

Much research has already been exchanged: thewebsite offers a compendium. A wide variety ofprojects has been initiated: the twinning of schoolsin Germany and Turkey, mobile play and activitycentres for use in deprived urban communities,exhibitions and festivals, contact seminars to pro-mote new ideas ... Links have been established tokey non-partner organisations and other networkssuch as the Association of European MigrationInstitutions. In-service training for teachersattracted over 100 delegates at a recent workshop.

Rising demand for the network is an indication ofits success. In the first phase of the project therewere 49 partner institutions in 9 countries; in thesecond phase, which runs from 2005-2008, num-bers increased to 90 partners in 13 countries.


PromoterOrganisation University of Stavanger

Address Hulda Garborgs hus, N-4036Stavanger

Country Norway

Name Dan D. DAATLAND

Tel 00 47 51 83 15 99Fax 00 47 51 83 13 50E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic,Germany, Northern Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Bulgaria,Romania, Estonia, Croatia, Switzerland

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SHARING EXPERIENCES AND PRACTICES TO HELPBUILD EUROPE

The objective of this Comenius cooperation projectis to give true meaning to building Europe, throughlinks and shared activities between teachers andstudents in different countries on a commontheme. The partnership organised activities basedon the notion of respect in its different forms.

The concept of respect is dealt with in its widestsense, with wide-ranging themes being exploredsuch as respect for the planet, respect for futuregenerations through sustainable development,mutual respect of communities around the world,respect between men and women, self-respect andrespect for others.

Students conduct documentary research on theproject's themes, writing reports about each ofthem. Exhibitions of each school’s work are presen-ted to the public. A dynamic website allows partici-pants to become writers and publish in real time,with forums and chat sessions so that students andteachers can remain in contact.

A VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND PRODUCTIONS

The partnership established between these schoolsallows everyone to organise a cooperation projectwithin the framework of normal class activities, onone or several subjects. Contributions by the diffe-rent classes are focused on the following subjects:Bulgaria and the European Union, the situation ofwomen in the Middle Ages, ecological vehicles ofthe future, the construction of dwellings withregard to sustainable development, climate changeand global warming.

Students from each school work on these differentsubjects and are invited to discuss them online inchat sessions. Telephone conferences are organisedregularly (via Skype). Finally, educational encoun-ters are organised each year in the country of oneof the partners, gathering teachers and studentstogether over several days, thus offering studentsand teachers an opportunity to improve their skills,not only regarding the subject or focus of the pro-ject, but also in terms of teamwork, social relations(student-student, student-teacher), organisationand effective practices for cooperation.

A partnership betweenComenius schools to promotethe notion of respectFour secondary schools in Bulgaria, France, Finland and Sweden are working on the concept of res-pect (respect for differences, respect for generations and respect for the environment and nature)by developing activities based on email exchanges between classes in these different countries.

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PromoterOrganisation Mathematics and natural sciences

secondary school 'AkadémikIvan Guzelev

Address 2 Elin Pelin Street5300 GABROVO

Country Bulgaria

Name Christina TSONKOVA

Tel 00 359 66 808 246Fax 00 359 66 808 246E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: France, Finland, Sweden

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THE CONTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN COOPERATIONTOWARDS FUTURE CLOTHING PROFESSIONALS

The clothing industry requires specialised know-ledge in the techniques of design and manufacturefrom different countries. These techniques oftenvary from one country to the next (and even fromone region to the next) and traditions and culturalhabits have a significant influence on the differenttrends observed.

In this context, it is important to be able to preparefuture clothing industry professionals to take diffe-rent elements into consideration, such as the his-tory of clothing, its role and importance, and localand national traditions. Learning about theseintercultural differences should allow them to seizethe creative opportunities in today's society.

This is how the project 'Clothing in the spiral oftime' came about. The aim of this mobility andexchange project is to allow these future clothingprofessionals to work in as many clothing sectors aspossible (design, manufacture, marketing) in order

to raise awareness of the variety of approacheswhich exist in Europe.

AN EXCHANGE PROGRAMME LINKING STUDENTSAND TEACHERS

The participants in this project are mainly students,but it also involves some teachers from a traininginstitute in Prague specialised in the clothing sec-tor, who share the experience they acquire abroadwith students. The host establishments were cho-sen to cover all fields related to the clothing sectorincluding design, manufacture and marketing. 25 Czech students were able to benefit from thisexchange programme (8 in Germany, 8 in Greece, 4 in Finland and 5 in Slovakia).

In addition to acquiring specific knowledge aboutthe clothing sector, these exchanges also enabledthe acquisition of another language in professionalsituations, and above all the discovery of anotherculture, not only in a working environment but alsoin everyday life.

The clothing industry faces the challenges ofintercultural differencesCzech students in clothing design and manufacture were able to take courses in training institutionsin partner countries. Given that the history of clothing and its manufacture are very closely tied inwith the lifestyles, economy and culture of each region and country, the students were thereforeable to better understand intercultural differences whilst improving their professional skills.

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Programme DG EAC - Leonardo da Vinci

PromoterOrganisation The High School of Fashion

Designing and the SecondaryTextile and Clothing School

Address Jablonského 3170 00 Prague

Country Czech Republic

Name Marta CHVOJKOVÁ

Tel 00 420 266710944 Fax 00 420 220876831E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Germany, Finland, Greece, Slovakia

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THE NEED TO PROFESSIONALISE TRAINING IN THEFIELD OF CULTURAL ORGANISATION

Many training programmes in the field of culturalactivities exist in Europe, but employment oppor-tunities remain a major issue for young peopleinvolved in these networks. The challenge invol-ved in the professionalisation of training net-works in this field has led to EU support for theInstitute of Polish Culture (part of the Universityof Warsaw) in the framework of the Leonardo da Vinci programme. Initial support was grantedin 1998 to develop a cultural activities trainingprogramme. One year later, the same promoterspurred the launch of an organiser exchange programme.

The initiative was furthered by the creation of aninternational network of establishments involved inthe training of cultural organisers. This ANIMUSproject is based on the results of previous projectsand proposes the creation of an informationexchange system allowing practices and ideas to beshared in relation to cultural activities and the trai-ning of cultural organisers.

A DYNAMIC EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR SHARINGGOOD PRACTICES

This network is coordinated by the Institute ofPolish Culture, and associates partners fromFinland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland andthe United Kingdom who share a common view ofcultural promotion. This network favoured aseries of concrete actions such as the establish-ment of information and people exchanges, thesharing of good practices and the training of cul-tural organisers. Workshops and seminars wereorganised for young cultural organisers in orderto reinforce their skills in fields such as newmedia or artistic education. Information tripsoffered an opportunity to discover cultural cen-tres and meet specialists in this field. Biggerevents were also organised to share the results ofthe project.

All of the project's results may be accessed on awebsite which was set up as a means of ongoingexchange. It provides access to all actions develo-ped in the framework of this network.

The contribution of European cooperation inthe training of culturalorganisersThe objective of this Leonardo da Vinci project is to establish an international network of institutions involved in cultural activities and training. Gathering partners from 6 countries, exchange mechanisms have been implemented (sharing of experiences, mobility of persons, organisation of seminars, etc) in order to share practices and ideas related to cultural activities and the trainingof cultural organisers.

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PromoterOrganisation Institute of Polish Culture

at Warsaw University

Address Krakowskie Przedmiescie 26/2800-921 Warsaw

Country Poland

Name Iwona KURZ

Mobile 00 48 512 09 88 11 Fax 00 48 22 828 72 83 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: France, Finland, UK, Lithuania,Germany

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THE NEED TO CONSIDER INTERCULTURAL RELATIONSIN THE MANAGEMENT OF ORGANISATIONS

Nowadays, companies are confronted with anincreasingly open international environment andgrowing competition. In order to develop in newhigh-growth markets, it is important to have a goodunderstanding of the cultures in these new econo-mic areas and to attach special importance tohuman relations to be developed in the companyitself as well as with clients and suppliers. In thiscontext, the need to consider cultural differencesand the interaction between different culturesbecome key challenges in the managementmethods to be implemented. Intercultural manage-ment cannot now be separated from a company'shuman resources and its development strategy.

Coordinated by Volkswagen, the Europe Trainer pro-ject associates partners from different countries(Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, CzechRepublic, Bulgaria and Greece) including compa-nies, training institutions and social partners. Itsaim is to offer online training for a better unders-tanding of intercultural management situations.

ONLINE TRAINING BASED ON CONCRETE CASE STUDIES

'Europe Trainer' offers online training (e-training)to trainers and other people who deal with intercul-tural groups with different learning and workingmethods. This may lead to (avoidable) misunders-tandings with consequences for those involved,having a negative influence on the efficiency ofworkgroups and training groups. The main goal ofEurope Trainer is to prepare trainers and otherexperts to manage intercultural issues.

Europe Trainer offers training modules in 8 languages:German, French, English, Dutch, Greek, Czech,Bulgarian and Finnish. The subjects dealt with concernall aspects related to intercultural management in anorganisation. Issues such as physical distance (the dif-ferent cultural views of acceptable distance betweenpeople), interpersonal relations (different from oneperson or culture to the next) or the communicationstyle to use in meetings and speeches are dealt with inthe different modules. Other modules are also availa-ble, dealing with topics such as eating habits in diffe-rent cultures, teaching styles according to the culturesof participants, or stereotypes and clichés.

Intercultural management:a key element in companystrategy developmentThe aim of this Leonardo da Vinci project is to raise awareness and teach trainers and experts towork abroad with multicultural groups. The project brings together partners from 7 countries anddeals with practical aspects of intercultural dialogue in a professional context (personal relations,cultural stereotypes, management of behaviour appropriate to the environment, etc).

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PromoterOrganisation Volkswagen

Address Berliner Ring38436 Wolfsburg

Country Germany

Name Manfred BOCK

Mobile 00 49 5361 936085 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: France, England, The Netherlands,Finland

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YOUTHS AT RISK OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION

According to the European Statistical Office, 20-30% of all school leavers in the EU do not go on toany form of continuing education or vocationaltraining after school, representing a current 20% ofall youths in the EU aged 18-24. The figures aresubstantially higher in big cities. These youthsoften come from disadvantaged backgrounds cau-sed by social, ethnic and/or personal factors. Intoday’s knowledge-based society, they will havelimited chances in the labour market and riskunemployment and consequent social exclusion.

A UNIQUE NEW NETWORK IN CITIES

To address this challenge, a network of centresdedicated to social inclusion through educationand training was set up in six European cities:Berlin, Bologna, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow andMalmö. Each centre has a network of local part-ners, including (pre) vocational schools, counsel-lors, researchers, social partners and companiesexperienced in work placement for vulnerable

youth groups. This is the first time a dedicated net-work has been established at city level focussing oncombating social exclusion through education and(pre) vocational training and guidance.

Each centre, working with its local partners, aims tocollect and analyse information on social inclusioninitiatives, political and pedagogic projects, suc-cess stories and relevant legislation. This informa-tion is disseminated on the specially created localwebsite of each partner, together with a databaseof institutions, NGOs and individuals involved inthe field. Regular newsletters and awareness-rai-sing events help raise the profile of the networkand the centres actively encourage the develop-ment of new projects.

Centres share information with each other andencourage teachers, counsellors and students ofvocational training institutions to take advantageof the international dimension of the networkthrough exchanges and mobility projects in orderto improve mutual understanding and exchange ofideas and experience.

A network to promotesocial inclusion20% of youths aged 18-24 in the EU are not engaged in any kind of education or vocational training:they tend to come from disadvantaged backgrounds, including ethnic minorities. Action needs to betaken to help those at risk of unemployment and consequent social exclusion. This challenge is thestarting point for SocInc-Net, a network of centres in six European cities, each with its own localnetwork of partners. The project has had an impact in various ways and the network is now expanding.

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AN EXPANDING NETWORK

The SocInc-Net network has led to the instigationof a variety of activities; information about manyrelated initiatives and agents acting at differentlevels has also been made available. Direct contactand physical meetings between the partner groupshave produced constructive spin-offs, such as theexchange of disabled students between some of thecities, as well as the promotion of activities and ini-tiatives in the partner cities.

The network is now expanding to include new citymembers of the Eurocities Working Group inEducation, as well as other agencies and networks.


PromoterOrganisation Children & Youth Administration

Copenhagen City

Address Islands Brygge 372300 Copenhagen S

Country Denmark

Name Karsten STRØRUP

Tel 00 45 33664515 Fax 00 45 33667053E-mail [email protected]

Partner countries: Ireland, Sweden, Germany, Scotland,Italy

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THE NEED FOR ACTION

Some of Romania’s most historic monuments –especially monasteries in the north of the countryand some palaces – are suffering from years of ina-dequate conservation. Baroque stucco work andpaintings are particularly vulnerable. Quick butlasting technical remedies are needed and, withRomania’s integration into the EU, these must be inconformity with European norms and methodology.

The preservation of its cultural heritage is now anurgent issue for Romania and the need for expertsin restoration and conservation is growing. At pre-sent there is a shortage of suitably trained profes-sionals in this area.

SHARING EUROPEAN EXPERTISE

In order to accelerate the training of Romanianconservation specialists, a group of ten studentsfrom the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca visited Italy under a placement scheme.They studied alongside experts in the Accademia

di Belle Arte e del Restauro in Palermo. Work focus-sed on a practical project involving the restorationof a baroque fresco in the Oneto Palace in Palermo.Students gained knowledge of investigative proce-dures to determine the materials and artistic tech-niques used, recognition of specific types ofdamage and the technical procedures needed torepair these.

BUILDING A SKILLS BASE IN ROMANIA

The students have returned to Romania with newspecialist expertise which is unique in the country.They will now be able to apply this to national res-toration projects and, with their new skills andknowledge of European norms and terminology,they can contribute to the training of other profes-sionals. A larger and more highly skilled workforcein the restoration and conservation field is a signi-ficant contribution to the protection of Romania’scultural heritage. In this way, a unique culture willbe preserved and made more accessible not just toRomanian but also to other European citizens, thuspromoting intercultural understanding.

Preserving Romania’s cultural heritageUnique historic monuments in Romania are under threat, in need of urgent restoration and conservation. A lack of specialist expertise to tackle the technical problems makes the situationmore acute. But now, a placement programme has enabled Romanian conservation students to workand study alongside Italian experts on a project in Sicily. The knowledge the students have gainedwill help save Romania’s monuments and train other Romanian professionals in this field.

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PromoterOrganisation University of Art and Design

Address Piata Unirii 31400098 Cluj-Napoca

Country Romania

Name Anamaria TATARU


Partner Countries: Italy

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WHAT IMAGE OF YOUTH DO THE MEDIA PORTRAY?

The image of youth portrayed by the media variessignificantly from one country to the next, andfrom one continent to the next. The representa-tions and stereotypes focused on by the mediabring out differences and similarities betweenEuropean countries and less developed countries.

This is how the idea arose to offer young people anopportunity to think about how they are portrayedby the mass media around the world (Asia, Africa,Latin America, Europe).

International research was conducted on mediacontent for young people (magazines, radio, music,TV, cinema, internet) and some especially signifi-cant media products from the northern and sou-thern hemispheres were selected.

The Glocal Youth project, with support from the e-Learning programme, is an international initiativefavouring exchange and dialogue between differentcountries and cultures in the south and the north.

A MULTILINGUAL TRAINING AND INFORMATIONWEBSITE FOR RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THEMEDIA AND INTERCULTURAL ASPECTS

The website for the Glocal Youth project (www.glo-calyouth.net) provides everyone with the opportu-nity to discover new media products from far awayand learn about different realities. It offers youngpeople the possibility to discover what other youngpeople in Europe or in developing countries are rea-ding, watching and writing. They are thus able toget closer to those who are different from them andlearn about them.

This multilingual website (Italian, English, French,Spanish and Portuguese) is also a teachingresource with a wealth of information. Teachers canfind useful tools on the website to prepare a class-room approach to the media and interculturalissues (ideally with young people aged 14 to 20).The educational pages in different languages canalso be useful resources for teaching foreign lan-guages. An intercultural dictionary (presenting alexicon for an intercultural approach) and mediaeducation tools (radio, written press, television,

Media texts and contextsfor young people aroundthe worldGlocal Youth is a media and intercultural education site. The project combines two perspectives:media education and intercultural dimensions.. Its aim is to promote a critical approach to themedia among youth, as well as favour an awareness of the media environments of young immigrantsand compare them to European media environments, thus highlighting differences and similarities.

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images, comic strips, interviews, advertising) areuseful supplements to this teaching project.

Glocal Youth is a dynamic website. It is intended asa place for dialogue and favours ongoing develop-ment through the contributions of those who wishto participate. Finally, it offers visitors the chanceto enter into direct contact with institutions, themedia and associations, by providing them withhundreds of internet addresses.

Programme DG EAC - e-Learning

PromoterOrganisation : Lai-momo

Address via Gamberi, 4 40037 - Sasso Marconi (Bologna)

Country Italy

Name Sandra FEDERICI


Partner countries: Belgium, Spain, Portugal

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AN INNOVATIVE PROJECT ALLOWING YOUNG PEO-PLE TO DISCOVER THE FIELD OF REPORTING

e-Twinning is the main action in the EuropeanUnion's e-Learning programme. It encourages theuse of ICT (information and communication techno-logies) in schools across Europe. Teachers and stu-dents use the internet to work together across bor-ders. They cooperate, exchange information andshare learning tools. e-Twinning widens the scopeof teaching opportunities offered to teachers andstudents, encourages learning and transformsEurope into a giant classroom.

This is the context which led to the development ofthe young reporters project in two schools inSlovakia and Poland. The aim of this project is tooffer an innovative teaching environment whichallows secondary school students to learn aboutthe field of journalism/reporting.

Each class forms a team of editors made up of 8 to12 students, and the working language is English.The students are divided into sub-groups to coversubjects as varied as science and technology, busi-

ness and society, culture and sport, traditions andlocal customs. Each sub-group explores a subject,collects information, organises interviews andtakes photos, thus discovering the daily work ofjournalists/reporters. The sub-groups in charge ofthe same subject cooperate via internet in order toexchange, share, verify and add to the informationgathered. All of the information gathered is presen-ted as articles published on each school's website(http://zssb.ids.czest.pl/etwinning/index.php,http://www.zssd-mt.edu.sk/twin/).

e-TWINNING: AN IDEAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPE-RATION FAVOURING THE ACQUISITION OF INTER-CULTURAL SKILLS

Thanks to the cooperation developed through theeTwinning initiative, this project undoubtedlyenabled an improvement in communication andintercultural skills. The ICT knowledge and skills ofstudents and teachers were reinforced. A new lear-ning environment which is attractive to teachers, stu-dents and the whole school was gradually created,thus favouring innovation in the field of teaching.

Budding young reportersshape the journalism oftomorrowThe aim of this project is to train young secondary school students in two countries (Slovakia andPoland) in the field of reporting. By using internet technologies, each group is asked to prepare,exchange and circulate articles on themes such as science and technology, business and society, culture and sport, traditions and local customs.

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At a more global level, this project offered a newperspective on culture and values. It allowed wor-king methods to be modified in traditional classes.Above all, it led to an increase in contacts andexchanges with other schools in Europe. It allowedschools to have a new view of the outside world,enabling the acquisition of intercultural skillswhich are essential for the development ofEuropean citizenship.

Programme DG EAC - e-Twinning

PromoterOrganisation Zdruzená stredna skolá Dopravná

Martin-Priekopa(United Secondary School ofTransport Martin-Priekopa)

Address Zelená 2 03606 Martin

Country Slovakia

Name Zuzana CHRISTOZOVA

Tel 00 42 143/42 81486 Fax 00 42 143/42 84625E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Poland

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< <

AN ACTIVE POLICY FOR EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ANDTHE FIGHT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

Since 1998, Dublin Bus has had an active companypolicy in terms of equal access to employment. TheEmployment Equality Acts of 1998 and 2004 areaimed at promoting equal opportunities foremployment and preventing discrimination of anysort in the workplace (gender, marital status, familystatus, age, handicap, religion, nationality, etc).

This policy to promote equality and diversity, consi-dered by DG Employment of the EuropeanCommission as a model of good practice in terms ofdiversity and the fight against discrimination, isapplied by the company in its relations with staff,as well as with clients and users. Its aim is to createan environment in which staff and users are treatedwith dignity and respect, and with consideration fortheir differences.

This strategy of equality and diversity involves theimplementation of quality services offered to usersthrough an increase in employee satisfaction, animprovement in people management skills and thedevelopment of good practices in terms of humanresource management.

A WIDE RANGE OF INITIATIVES TO PROMOTEINTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE

The implemented strategy is centred on three mainobjectives: to support and protect the needs of staffand commercial activity, to develop skills and raiseawareness, and to facilitate and direct change.

In order to achieve this, an equality and diversitymanager provides permanent support (informationand advice) for everyone in the company. Clearpolicies are implemented, such as those regarding

A company policy for inclusion and the fightagainst discrimination Dublin Bus employs 3,500 people from over 50 countries, with equality and mutual respect beingone of the key elements of the company's success.

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DG EMPLOI

dignity and respect, transport for everyone andrecruitment and selection. The development ofskills and awareness-raising involve a series oftransversal actions and initiatives concerning all ofthe services offered by the company. Awareness-raising campaigns have been undertaken: anti-racismposters promoting a more inclusive Ireland are dis-played on buses; sports and other social eventshelp integrate migrant workers. Finally, changemanagement is supported by the active andongoing evaluation of efforts undertaken.

DG Employment, Social Affairsand Equal Opportunities

PromoterOrganisation Dublin Bus

Address 59 Upper O’Connell StreetDublin, 1

Country Ireland

Name Patricia NORMANLY

Tel 00 353 1 703 3094Fax 00 353 1 703 3010 E-mail [email protected]

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AN INTERCULTURAL APPROACH TO PROJECT WORK

Work on the project is structured around the dis-tinctive contributions which each of the partnerscan bring. Germany and Austria are producingdetailed evidence of classroom practice, studentattitudes and educational outcomes in their schoolsand universities. Bosnia-Herzegovena and Turkeyoffer an understanding of the cultural and socialbackgrounds from which the migrants come andinsights into the problems they may encounter inGermany and Austria.

Teams of teachers and experts in science pedagogyhave been set up in each of the partner universi-ties, working in consultation with experts on lin-guistics, migrant issues and intercultural education.Teams have the opportunity of observing classroompractice in each other’s countries as well as discus-sing wider issues at two annual conferences.

EARLY RESULTS FROM THE CLASSROOM

It was clear from the start of the project that

migrants tend to be underprivileged because oftheir low socio-economic status, which has animpact on academic aspirations and attainment.Girl migrants also suffer from cultural stereotypesabout science studies and careers being a male-dominated domain. Tackling these wider social andcultural issues poses a challenge for the project.

Several other issues have emerged from projectresearch. Competence in the foreign language is aproblem for many migrants, particularly as the lan-guage of science tends to be formal, abstract anddense – very different to the spoken languagewhich migrants may well have mastered. So workhas begun in Berlin on developing second-languageteaching for scientific purposes and modifyingmaterials for existing science courses.

Work in Vienna focuses on identifying good practicein science teaching through observing lessons, talkingto teachers and experts and gathering feedbackfrom students. This, combined with observation ofclassroom practice in schools in Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovena, will provide a compendium of peda-gogic models.

Engaging migrantsin scienceMigrants in Germany and Austria – especially girls – are choosing not to study science subjects atuniversity or take up science-related careers. To investigate the reasons for this and develop practicalmeasures to improve access for migrants, partners from university science departments in Germany,Austria, Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovena are combining their expertise. It is a process that requiresdetailed intercultural understanding and exchange between the partners. The project is in its earlystages and will deliver results in Summer 2007, but already some research and ideas are emerging.

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ROLE MODELS FOR MIGRANT GIRLS

Partners are agreed on the importance of good rolemodels to encourage more girls into science. Eachpartner has set up a club for university girlmigrants studying science. As well as receivingspecial support for their career aspirations fromuniversity staff, the students take part in events atschools aiming to inspire migrant school girls thin-king of studying science at university.

SHARING PROJECT RESULTS

Sensitising science teachers and education authori-ties to the problems of migrant students will be thefunction of a conference in summer 2007. Here, theresults of the project will be presented, with newteaching materials and examples of good practice.The aim is to encourage teacher training for scienceeducation in a multilingual, multicultural environ-ment and, in the longer term, cooperation betweenpartner countries for the harmonisation of scienceeducation.

DG Enterprise and Industry

PromoterOrganisation ETC Graz

Address Schubertstrasse 298010 Graz

Country Austria

Name Klaus STARL


Partner countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany,Turkey

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NEW RESEARCH ESTABLISHES COMMON VALUES

With the continuing expansion of the EU and thegrowing number of immigrants, European society isbecoming increasingly diverse, with more and morecommunities of varied cultural, ethnic and religiousor secular backgrounds. Yet within this diversity,common values can be found – indeed, must befound for the cohesion of European society.

This was the starting point of the ‘Common values’project: the need to establish firm foundations forintercultural dialogue. The partners set up a com-mittee to undertake in-depth research, comparingdifferent religions and secular thought and tryingto identify common values. Five core values weredetermined: non-violence, sharing, love and forgi-veness, respect of others, non-discrimination.

TURNING IDEAS INTO ACTION: A CREATIVEAPPROACH

To communicate abstract values in a form whichwould engage young adolescents was the next chal-

lenge. A creative team was commissioned whichwould, in itself, bring together diverse culturalbackgrounds and so enrich the final product. FiveBelgian writers created stories around the fivevalues and five African artists specialising incomics produced the illustrations. The results ofthis creative fusion are published in the form ofshort books in English, French, Italian, andSpanish.

GETTING PEOPLE TALKING

The final stage of the project was to make sure thatthe comics were talked about. To encourage discus-sion, a guide for teachers suggests ways of exploi-ting the content and structuring dialogue in theclassroom. Some of the ideas could also be usedwithin a family context.

The books and the guide were piloted by threeBelgian schools and produced a lively responsefrom students. At an evaluation conference atten-ded by senior Belgian government officials and themedia, students expressed their enthusiasm and

Comic strips:a common languageto promote common valuesFor young adolescents across Europe and beyond, the comic strip has great appeal. It is a potentiallypowerful way of reaching them at an age when they are forming their beliefs and world view. Seeingan opportunity to use comics in order to promote intercultural understanding, an international teamof writers and artists has created five stories embodying shared values in the multi-religious societyof Europe. The aim is to provoke thought and stimulate discussion amongst the young, guided byteachers or parents. Enthusiastic media coverage of a pilot in three Belgian schools shows that theproject is of wide interest.

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proposed new ways of building on the impetusbegun by the project in order to promote furtherintercultural dialogue. Press, TV and radio wereattracted by the general interest of this unusualinitiative, thus helping promote it to a wider public.Plans are already in progress to distribute thebooks on a European scale – and maybe beyond.

DG Justice, Freedom and Security

PromotersOrganisation Lai-momoAddress via Gamberi, 4

40037 Sasso Marconi Country ItalyName Andrea MARCHESINI REGGIANITel 00 39 051 840166Fax 00 39 051 6790117 E-mail [email protected]

Organisation EurodialogAddress Square Ambiorix, 7

1000 BruxellesCountry BelgiumName Joan RUIZ VALEROTel 00 32 2 2307348Fax 00 32 2 2308767 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries:France & Spain

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BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION

European integration means that nation states withvery different cultural, religious and political traditionsmust work together. Immigration is often seen as anadditional challenge to this process: it introduces morediversity and thus makes cohesion harder to achieve.

The Intercultural Education department, Universityof Oldenburg, wanted to approach this issue from adifferent angle: to see if immigrants could becomemore actively involved as Europeans. Coming fromoutside Europe, they might be able to see moreclearly and value what is specific about Europe. Itmay also be easier for them to adopt a Europeanidentity rather than identify with a nation state.

A survey of existing research in America and Europeindicated that the main knowledge gap was aroundthe factors which encourage or discourage participa-tion and motivate people to take action. To investi-gate this gap, a substantial three-part study was ela-borated. It was decided to focus on first-generationimmigrants from non EU-member states, as theirintegration is potentially the most problematic.

RESEARCH IN 25 COUNTRIES

The first phase of the study aimed to improveunderstanding of the background conditions fra-ming active immigrant participation. It involved asurvey of research in each of 25 countries coveringfour main areas. First, recent migration history,demographic developments, media debates, legaland institutional conditions. Second, a review ofresearch on active civic participation of immi-grants, with particular emphasis on studies onlyavailable in the language of the country; where noor little research was available, experts wereasked to do some. Third, the experts’ views of theissues and conclusions arising from their surveysand any major research gaps. Finally, a bibliogra-phy and a review of relevant research institutionsand researchers.

PERCEPTIONS OF EUROPE

The second phase of the study was a more subjec-tive one, aiming to identify those factors whichmotivate immigrants to feel positive about Europe.

Building Europe withnew citizensCivic participation is important for the democratic development of Europe – whether it involvesengaging in lobby organisations, political parties and parent associations or helping run religious or ethnic associations and self-help networks. Immigrants are usually less active in participationthan native citizens. ‘Building Europe with new citizens’ is a major research project to examine whythis should be the case and the factors that could encourage immigrants to become more involved.Research is completed and analysis of the data is underway; some results have already been publishedon the project website.

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250 students from 40 countries and now living inEurope, most of them temporarily, wrote an essayon the topic ‘What does Europe mean to me perso-nally?’ This was followed up by focus group discus-sions with over 70 of the students.

IMMIGRANT ACTIVISTS SPEAK

The third phase of the study was to interview 150active immigrants about their background, currentinvolvement and motivations. Focussed qualitativeinterviewing techniques were used to identify pat-terns of behaviour behind the decision to becomeactive. Interviews were conducted by selected stu-dents from the second phase of the project, whoattended two summer schools for special training ininterview and analysis techniques.

Data from the second and third phases have nowbeen processed and results will be published inAutumn 2006 on the project website.Dissemination of the whole study will follow overthe following 6 months on the website and atpublic events.

DG Research

PromoterOrganisation Carl von Ossietzky Universität

Oldenburg, Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für Bildung und Kommunikation in Migrationsprozessen

Address Ammerländer Heerstr. 1214-11826129 Oldenburg

Country Germany

Name Dita VOGEL

Tel 00 49 441 798 2936Fax 00 49 441 798 2325 E-mail [email protected]

Partner Countries: Italy, Greece, Belgium

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DEBATE ABOUT CAUSES OF MULTICULTURAL TENSION

There is no agreement about the reasons for pro-blems of integration and why they occur in someplaces and not in others. Some have argued that itis quantitative – that, for instance, when the per-centage of immigrants in a country reaches a criti-cal threshold, it becomes a destabilising force. Itmay also depend on who the immigrants are andwhere they come from: if they are perceived as clo-sely linked in some way to the receiving country,they may be more readily accepted. But are theselinks ethnic, religious, cultural or historic? Some ofthe communities most closely linked by history andculture have found it hardest to integrate –Moroccans in Spain, Albanians in Greece, Algeriansin France. In fact, geographical proximity mightactually add to the tensions.

With such uncertainty about the factors behind

integration problems, the new research project pro-poses a different approach in order to formulatesteps for positive action.

A NEW MODEL FOR INTEGRATION

The project focuses on the legal, political and edu-cational challenges of integration in order to esta-blish what frameworks and procedures are neededto assist the process. The approach is pragmatic,based on case studies of successful integration inthe nine countries of the project partners.

Each partner will submit an overview of migrationin their country and a review of current publicdebates on integration and multiculturalism. Eachwill then research three case studies, one each inthe fields of education, discrimination in the work-place and voting rights and civic participation.

Migrants: a modelfor successful integrationViolent racial events in France in early 2006 reminded Europeans of the problems of integratingminorities. There are different views about the reasons for multicultural tension. But whatever the causes, the EU needs a coherent response to the social and political challenges of integration. A three-year research project, started in July 2006, set out to study examples of successful integra-tion in nine EU countries in order to develop a set of principles and models of good practice whichcan be applied across Europe. No common, jointly-agreed EU models of integration exist at present.

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Each case study will be analysed by the projectteam to determine in what ways it offers a distinc-tive model of integration and to establish theunderlying values and processes on which themodel is based. All case studies will then be com-pared to identify key strands and models that canbe applied across Europe.

TURNING RESEARCH INTO ACTION

The project aims to offer specific policy recommen-dations based on the study of these successfulexperiences in EU states. Proposals will be put topolicy makers and civil society for debate and policyresponses.

DG Research

PromoterOrganisation Hellenic Foundation

for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)

Address Vas Sofias avenue 49Athens 10676

Country Greece

Name Anna TRIANDAFYLLIDOU


Partner countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,Latvia, Poland, UK, Spain

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Documents

Inter Cultur l Dialogue Best Practices