The project "Kids at Crossroads – Intersectionality, Diversity and Inclusion" aimed to strengthen the capacity of primary and early childhood education schools to offer truly inclusive, equitable and representative education of differences. The main objective was to develop pedagogical and critical competencies in teachers, providing them with practical tools to recognize and value the intersections between ethnicity, gender, social class, orientation and disability. Through capacity building activities, job shadowing and training, the project sought to translate the main European strategies for children's rights and equality into educational practices. The project also promoted the co-creation of intersectional teaching materials, including the creative manual "Stories at the Crossroads," to foster inclusive narratives and positive representations in classrooms. Throughout the collaboration, the partnership aimed to demonstrate that intersectionality is applicable from early childhood, promoting welcoming, pluralistic school environments capable of supporting the self-esteem and participation of all children, in line with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child and other European agendas on inclusion.
Idrisi believes it is fundamental to guarantee all children inclusive, quality education that respects their rights, regardless of race, gender, orientation, disability, or socio-cultural background, as indicated by the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (2021). The project responded to the need to bridge the gap in cultural and pedagogical competencies among primary school teachers, offering practical and theoretical tools to address the intersections between ethnic, gender, social, and affective differences. The objective was to develop alternative, inclusive, and representative teaching approaches, fostering the construction of children's self-esteem, positive perception of others, and a safe and welcoming school environment. Through participation, we strengthened our critical-pedagogical competencies and contributed concretely to promoting inclusion, social cohesion, and reducing discrimination and segregation in the educational context.