Other, Alike, The Same

“Other, Alike,The Same” is an innovative project addressed to these following most relevant topics: -integrate refugees and immigrants in the different European countries where they are living at present; -strengthen the sense of belonging to the European Union. The project was born from the partnership between five schools of Primary Education from Italy, Spain, Greece, Romania and the UK. In the second year, after the British withdrawal, the partnership continued its project with 4 schools that redistributed tasks and activities that initially had to be carried out by the British partner.Only two of the five initial schools had previous European experiences, the other three (Italy, Spain and Greece) were new comers. In all the school partnerships,although in various ways, the phenomenon of immigration is present and in particular Italy,Spain and Greece are affected by the arrival of a significant flow of refugees.This creates the need for schools to train teachers prepared for reception and to get pupils and school communities more open and tolerant. The project objectives achieved are:1.To know the European history; 2.To know the stories, traditions, languages of incoming peoples in Europe also through their cultures (geography, music, arts, literature, food, religion and dances);3.To develop interest in the study of foreign languages;4.To promote the full integration of foreign students in our schools, by developing of curricular activities,support interdisciplinary and interactive lessons. The activities of the project have mainly focused: -on the integration of refugees and immigrants, to improve their knowledge of the different aspects of European culture and traditions; -to enhance the sense of European Citizenship among the European citizens and make them more tolerant towards the migrants. Some of the activities carried out are the following: •n.4 LTTAs and n.3 TPMs; •"How to be an European", creating a common movie (interviewes to migrants and refugees made by students); •Games and dances from all partners cultures; •"Europe´s got talent"contest; •Plays with themes from European tradition; •the digital timeline (History activity); •creation of a brochure of all Citizenship words from our countries. All project activities built step by step a holistic educational environment of students regardless of nationality and social class.They contributed greatly to improving European curricula; the products and results already contribute and also will contribute to improving the efficiency of new education referring to the current geopolitical situation. With regard to the methodology used, it has been mainly practical with different techniques: •Cooperative Learning •Scaffolding •Problem Solving •CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) •ICT (Information Communication Technology) •Interdisciplinarity. The project had great impact on all parties involved and associates at different levels,local/regional level. The implementation of all activities was monitored and evaluated through plans, surveys and reports. Entire project was focused on creating synergy among schools involved in the project, local communities, partner associations and other institutions involved in implementing activities.Children were encouraged to receive educational process both within the partner school institutions and outside the formal framework contributing to a visible change of them. With the regard to the impact and exchange of good practices, at National level the partner schools involved active players as voluntary organizations,local administrations, ONGs who propagated further positive examples and created useful teaching materials;attending educational conferences or presentations contributed to exchange ideas, to create teaching materials and spread products and results. Outputs were also disseminate at European/International level by the social platforms reaching a wide number of stakeholders.Approximately 2000 people were indirectly involved in the activities organised by the project. Results achieved by: • Pupils: 1.strengthened their basic and transversal skills; 2.communication in other languages, share experiences, learn to cooperate; 3.opened their minds; 4.developed the European identity and integration efforts and support of refugee groups. • Teachers: 1.enhanced their professionalism and exchange experiences and good practices; • All other people involved in various ways(organizations, universities, volunteers, civil authorities) through lessons and meetings contributed by transmitting a wealth of stories and facts of considerable importance also receiving new ideas and feedback useful to their daily work; • Parents and other local community representatives increased the awareness of being European citizens; became more active and tolerant citizens. For the longer-term benefits,schools will continue to keep contacts exchanging ideas and using teaching materials to strenghten the results just achieve