Becoming European Citizens (Life stories)

In our project, becoming a European citizen is based on the idea of mutual understanding, which is comprises two elements: awareness about the shared European values on the one hand, and empathy -...

In our project, becoming a European citizen is based on the idea of mutual understanding, which is comprises two elements: awareness about the shared European values on the one hand, and empathy - or awareness about the emotional aspects involved in migration - on the other hand. (a) Awareness-raising activities about knowledge of European values and (b) promoting empathy towards migration of young people, are the two main operational aims of the proposal.

We implement two teacher meetings in which we organize and monitor the project, and two project weeks with 50 students and young migrants. During the first project week, we focus on raising awareness about European values in both European and migrant young people, which results in a protocol that promotes integration in schools. In the second week, we organise activities that intend to enhace empathy through the element of personal stories. The final product is, e.g., a graphic novel.

We expect that, on the conceptual level, participants (both students and educators) have gained insights into the European values we share, and into the emotional aspects of migration. We expect as final products: (a) a protocol that promotes the integration of young migrants and that can be used in different schools, and (b) a variety of (life) stories in the form of podcasts, graphic novels, photo stories, ...