Intersezionalità, diversità e inclusione. Risorse per la scuola primaria e dell'infanzia

The project "Kids at Crossroads – Intersectionality, Diversity and Inclusion" aimed to strengthen the capacity of primary and early childhood education schools to offer truly inclusive, equitable ...

The project "Kids at Crossroads – Intersectionality, Diversity and Inclusion" aimed to strengthen the capacity of primary and early childhood education schools to offer truly inclusive, equitable and representative education of differences. The main objective was to develop pedagogical and critical competencies in teachers, providing them with practical tools to recognize and value the intersections between ethnicity, gender, social class, orientation and disability. Through capacity building activities, job shadowing and training, the project sought to translate the main European strategies for children's rights and equality into educational practices. The project also promoted the co-creation of intersectional teaching materials, including the creative manual "Stories at the Crossroads," to foster inclusive narratives and positive representations in classrooms. Throughout the collaboration, the partnership aimed to demonstrate that intersectionality is applicable from early childhood, promoting welcoming, pluralistic school environments capable of supporting the self-esteem and participation of all children, in line with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child and other European agendas on inclusion.

The project implemented three main activities: 1) Capacity Building in Amiens: Led by Réseau Canopé, this activity trained educators and teachers on children's rights and intersectional pedagogy through theoretical-practical modules, job shadowing, and online focus groups. Methodological materials and an operational synthesis of the main EU strategies (Rights of the Child, Roma Inclusion, LGBTIQ Equality) were developed. 2) Teacher Training and Production of the "Stories at the Crossroads" Manual: Conducted in the province of Palermo by Idrisi, this activity offered training courses on intersectional pedagogy and self-production of inclusive teaching materials, involving nearly 60 early childhood and primary school teachers. In collaboration with participants, a bilingual subsidiary of stories and creative activities was created to positively represent differences. Idrisi also provided teacher training using the materials produced. 3) Management, Communication and Final Event: These activities ensured coordination, dissemination of results (manual, factsheets, newsletters, guidelines), and a final event in Sicily with teachers, school leaders and stakeholders to share best practices.

The project produced concrete and measurable results both in terms of education and cultural dissemination. Online training courses were delivered (56 educators involved) on intersectional pedagogy and self-production of teaching materials, accompanied by job shadowing at the Atelier Canopé in Amiens. Factsheets, toolkits for teachers, trilingual methodological guidelines for primary school and early childhood teachers, educational video clips, as well as the creative manual "Stories at the Crossroads" - resulting from guidance activities and self-production workshops - were published. Tangible products include digital and narrative materials on intersectionality, a project visual identity, online publications, and a multiplier event in the province of Palermo, with over 50 participants among teachers, educators, and decision-makers. The activities led to the creation of an associated network of schools and educational centers, which will continue to use the materials and methods developed. The project has strengthened the pedagogical competencies of participants, promoted inclusive practices, and reinforced transnational cooperation, generating a replicable model of intersectional education for childhood.