From April to June 2011 was a research conducted in Baltic states called "Breake the stereotypes- strengthen the tolerance". This research looked and answered to question- are there any problems among youth concerning discrimination and stereotypes. The research results was that in Baltic states the national minority feel themselves prejudiced. Luckily there haven't any violence activities concerning tolerance in society or schools in Estonia. However there are bad examples in Northern- Europe. There is a growing problem with intolerance in society in Sweden as well as in Europe, and we have identified a lack of practical approaches to teach cultural acceptance and equality. Therefore, there is a need not only to develop pupils linguistic, communicative and social competence but also to heighten their understanding and knowledge about cultural, social and historical differences in order to promote their ability to critical inspection of arguments and political influence, different ideologies and gender equality questions. This might create opportunities for them to better understand and take a responsible and reflected part in society. This will also increase their understanding of democracy and how it works within the European Union and hereby create a larger openness towards the EU and EU: s long term goals by giving them prerequisites to counteract and oppose intolerance and instead support inclusive and varied societies. By Estonian National Curriculum the school should educate students in areas of multicultural society and tolerance. The problem is that curriculum does not give any specific methodology how to conduct the learning in areas of multiculture and to conduct the learning in areas of multiculture and tolerance. We can assume that it needs to be done in social science lessons, therefore Estonian school has a possibility to write the proper methodology down to schools curriculum. But there is still unknown what kind of methodology works. So there is a possibility to find a good practice how to develop the know-how in areas of multi culture and tolerance in to students. According to the Swedish curriculum the social science program (subjects Swedish, English, History, Social science and Communication) aims to developing the pupils knowledge about different conditions in various societies in Sweden and in the world. Furthermore, the education shall treat power from economical, social and political aspects. This involves studies of factors that influence and explain what happens in society all the way from local to global level. Therefore the OBJECTIVE of the project is to develop positive attitudes to Järva-Jaani Upper Secondary Schools and Bernadottegymnasets students and teachers in the area of multi-culture and tolerance using experience based learning methodology. The project consists two participants. One is from Estonia and other from Sweden. Estonian partner is Järva-Jaani Upper Secondary School. The school is located in Järva county, Järva-Jaani municipality. The school is held up by municipality. Today studies in the school 215 students and school is employer to 45 persons. Bernadottegymnasiet is located on Gothenburg and it is also a municipality's financed Upper Secondary School. Today studies in the school 190 students and school is employer to 10 persons. Our project is based on long term research what collects information about different didactic methods (opinions market, conference, teamwork, acting plays, debates) efficiency to teach soft values like multiculture and tolerance. To be successful we collect the information using quantitative research method, questionnaire to measure teachers and students attitudes about multiculture and tolerance. The study is planned to last 24 months and to have four weekly lasting transnational project weeks. The participants are tested two times in 24 months. They are called A and B moment and all the results will be analyzed using T-test (statistic impotence) and compared with each other to see the effectiveness of teaching in multicultural environment. We aim that by the completion of the project we can change the students, teachers attitudes about multiculture and tolerance. During the project we would like to open a discussion inside the local community and parents, to develop positive attitudes into the areas of multiculture and tolerance. Also, we aim to experiment how does the pedagogical methods like project week, teamwork, research, presentations and conferences will help teach students topics like multiculture and tolerance. In the completion we expect influence Järva-Jaani Upper Secondary Schools and Bernatottegymnasiets students, teachers, parents and local communities personal attitudes about multiculture and tolerance to provide equal possibilities to all people.
2-year Project "Developing cooperation between teachers and students in order to raise the quality of different pedagogical methodologies in the areas of culture and democracy" was between Järva-Jaani Upper Secondary School and Bernadotte Gymnasiet. Project involved students and teachers exchange four times - two times in Göteborg and two times in Järva-Jaani. Projects main idea was to increase students and teachers inner tolerance and see differences between cultures. Students to the Project were chosen by motivation letter and conversation with Project coordinator and headmaster. Students exchange involved group works, research and lecture about minorities, outdoor activities, visiting different companies, two nation cup, presentation, blog posts and free time activities. Through the Project students had a change to increase their communication in English. They got more encourage to speak and present their work in English. All the activities made groups more and more closer to get to know each other more and get more knowledge about survival skills. Participants also wrote a sum-up about the day and it was added to the blog what was made for the Project. Blog post is available for everyone on Järva-Jaani Upper Secondary School's homepage. Important was to have free time evening activities. Students chose on their own, what they wanted to do together. Having free time always increases friendship and better relationships, it made students to want to know each other more. Students exchange week also increased students knowledges about minorities in Sweden and in Estonia, traditions and tolerance in two different counties. Students tolerance was tested through T-test before and after every exchange week. T-test showed that our Projects results were statistically important. Most of the students had a positive change in attitudes, minorities, tolerance after the exchange week. One positive aspect for them seemed to be to realize to such high extent, how the environment in which you live shapes your beliefs and the way you act and think and also how to overcome and work together despite differences. Project involved teachers also, who were with students. Teachers organized the activities, paper work and supervised students through the exchange. Teachers also had a opportunity to practice English, arrange group works, presentations and see other school's work to get inspiration and knowledges, what to practice on own school. T-test showed that there was a positive change in teachers also.In our evaluation our pupils strongly emphasized the positive aspects they experienced in getting to see and come into such close contact with a culture so near to them distance wise moreover within the EU, but still different in many parts. We believe that this exchange project was very effective for schools because the pupils have matured and developed as individuals in addition, thus aiming to create a more open and tolerant environment.