IntegrateME! project is focused on the role of VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors in the promotion of Cultural Literacy of immigrants and refugees towards their smooth integration in the EU diverse society. Becoming culturally literate, immigrants and refugees will acquire the knowledge and skills to understand and participate in a given culture and be smoothly integrated in the society of EU, personally and professionally. Knowledge of divers cultures, respect of beliefs and recognition of identities, through an intercultural approach, are decisive components that encourage the integration of immigrants and refugees in European societies. Being culturally literate, could improve their everyday personal and professional reality in their "new" socio-cultural environment, in which they will collectively work for the economic growth and social welfare of Europe. At the same time, ICT innovation is reshaping every aspect of our life (professional, social, educational, personal, etc), and so far has shown a great potential in affecting and improving it. In this sense, one aspect of our lives that is greatly affected is the development of virtual learning environments, which are considered to have a high degree of interactivity and complexity, not only due to the need of specialized and appropriate ICT learning environments but also due to the need of innovative didactic methods and learning material in order to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of ICT available resources, as the educational activities must be comprehensive, aiming to meet the needs of tomorrow. Having all these in mind, the purpose of IntegrateME! project is to contribute to the development of a VET Open Educational Resource on Cultural Literacy aiming at training VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors, who in chain will train immigrants and refugees towards their smooth integration in the diverse society of EU according to the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development focus on "leaving no one behind". This project aims to meet immigrants and refugees long-term need for knowledge, skills and competences acquisition regarding Cultural Literacy, in order to help their smooth integration in their "new" home and contribute to their personal and professional inclusion in diverse environments. IntegrateME! project is an international synergy between 6 European organisations with a transnational character, having as target groups VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors, VET Centres and educational organisations, immigrants and refugees. They will jointly work to develop a VET Open Educational Resource, extending their scope beyond the boarders of their countries in order to define common strategies for fostering critical thinking through the use of ICT tools on Cultural Literacy. The project has the following objectives: 1.To design innovative training contents and methodologies for VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors on Cultural Literacy embracing effective use of ICTs 2.To increase the professional development (knowledge,skills, competences) of VET trainers to effectively support immigrants and refugees in integrating themselves, through Cultural Literacy, in their "new" home, 3.Enhance pedagogical competences and skills development for effectively teaching issues related to Cultural Literacy 4. Build a creative, motivating and positive learning environment. The objectives will be accomplished through the following project's innovative products: *VET Trainer Curriculum to be used by VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors for their professional development on Cultural Literacy, *VET Trainer Pedagogical Handbook on Cultural Literacy including in depth information, basic concepts, definitions and innovative methodological approaches regarding Cultural literacy, *Creation of a VET Open Educational Resource including an e-learning platform to be used as a training tool in the framework of Cultural Literacy, * Development of a Serious Game, which will be an on-line educational game in order to promote and motivate learning on Cultural Literacy in a playful manner.
The main aim of the project was to contribute to the development of a VET Open Educational Resource on Cultural Literacy aiming at training VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors, so that they would have the tools and be better prepared to teach/train immigrants and refugees towards their smooth integration in diverse EU societies, according to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development with focus on "leaving no one behind". This project aimed to meet migrants and refugees long-term need for the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competences regarding Cultural Literacy, in order to help their smooth integration in their "new" home and contribute to their personal and professional inclusion in diverse environments. The main objectives included: - Designing an innovative curriculum for VET Trainers/Teachers/Mentors on Cultural Literacy embracing effective use of ICTs - Increasing the professional development VET trainers to effectively support immigrants and refugees in integrating themselves, through Cultural Literacy, in the new country - Enhancing pedagogical competences and skills development for effectively teaching issues related to Cultural Literacy - Building a creative, motivating and positive learning environment.
The project was born in consideration of the fact that European societies nowadays are becoming more and more diverse, due to the high influx of migrants and refugees from countries outside the EU, fleeing their countries on search of better conditions. These people, in order to better integrate in the host societies, need to become culturally literate, in order to acquire the knowledge and skills to understand and participate in a given culture or society both from a personal and professional point of view. Knowledge of diverse cultures, respect of beliefs and recognition of identities, through an intercultural approach, are decisive components that encourage the integration of immigrants and refugees in European societies. Hence the need to develop tools to facilitate the smooth integration of migrants and refugees into the host societies, and to support VET Trainers/Teachers and Mentors in the promotion and teaching of cultural literacy among the target group. Research carried out in the participating countries showed that cultural literacy is fundamental for facilitating a smooth integration into a host country and the target group consider that being culturally literate could open pathways to a better social inclusion.