Dreaming OPEnly believes in a cohesive Europe where citizens can experience a feeling of inclusion and develop a widespread common European identity. Modern Europe however is facing severe forms of dehumanization and ethnic hatred within its borders, not only regarding people migrating from different continents, but also among countries belonging to Europe itself. Attitudes and expressions of dehumanization are internalized by subjects mainly due to the education they receive and the cultural and social pressure that they experience. These phenomena lead to a situation where the subjects are desensitized to the consequences of their actions, arriving to the point of considering another human being as unworthy of the same rights and freedoms. This is unacceptable in the prospective vision of developing an inclusive Europe which values difference within its citizens as a powerful driving force for progress. The main objective of Act4Change was to use theatre and creative non-formal methodologies to provide participants with tools to recognise and deconstruct the acts of dehumanisation that they witness, experience or produce in their personal lives. Improving the participant's consciousness on this crucial topic was considered as fundamental in developing a sense of cooperation and understanding with others, shaping their identity and making them more aware of the current situation. This project also gave participants a better perspective of the various systems present in the geopolitical circumstances of our time which were and are contributing towards the proliferation of dehumanization. Working on deconstructing the assimilated stereotypes of ethnic dehumanization present within the participants, in order to present a new narrative contrary to that which they had previously been exposed, was essential in this project. For this reason it was vital also to promote an open and safe environment where participants could share and learn from one other, and debate in a constructive and productive way in order to be enriched by such diversity. Another objective of the project was to teach participants theatre methodologies which they could use to express themselves and apply to a variety of contexts and situations. We used these methodologies because of their proven record in approaching highly emotional and deep-rooted social topics. We were always fully aware of the topic’s complexity, and decided on employing theatre-based activities because of our belief in the power of creative techniques to involve and engage people. We gave participants the space and opportunity to grow and experiment with their body and mind using the tools provided to them. The main objectives of A4C were: 1. Creating awareness and knowledge on the topic of dehumanization widespread across Europe 2. Promoting an open and safe environment where participants can share and learn from one other 3. Providing participants with a toolkit of information and activities which could contribute towards developing critical thinking skills 4. Developing knowledge about how mass media works, shapes and defines the identity of the people who live within it 5. Teaching participants theatre methodologies which they can use to express themselves 6. Contributing towards a process where new generations of Euopeans could have an active role in making Europe much more inclusive, accessible and free from fear and prejudice The overall aim of this project was to equip each participant with tools to act consciously in their lives, to cultivate self confidence and preserve the freedom and equality of themselves and others, thereby empowering young generations. It was therefore strongly linked to the objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme. Moreover, it had the following links with the specific Erasmus+ Youth Exchange Objectives: - Foster intercultural dialogue and learning and feeling of being European (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) - Develop skills and attitudes of young people (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) - Strengthen European values and breaking down prejudices and stereotypes (1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9) - Raise awareness about socially relevant topics and thus stimulate engagement in society and active participation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) The issues and needs that this project addressed were: - The issue of dehumanization - The issue of social and political conflict within Europe - The need for intercultural and intergenerational dialogue around cooperation - The influence of mass media, social and cultural environment in the spreading of misinformation and harmful stereotypes - The disorientating effects caused by information and communication formats which contain strong emotionally or politically triggering contents - The need to step outside one’s comfort zone in a safe environment - The lack of creative and empowering dynamics that allow self expression - The lack of personal tools to detect and deconstruct the conflicting information a person receives