The main objective of the project was to empower secondary school teachers and students with a deeper understanding, methods, and intrinsic interest to engage critically with the concept and practice of international justice. By exploring how societies address serious crimes such as war crimes and crimes against humanity, we envisioned the project to bridge a gap between historical education and contemporary global issues. We promoted critical thinking and debate, human rights education, empathy, and inspired active citizenship and strengthened the European identity through experiential learning. Specifically, the project aimed to: (1) develop an easily approachable, time-saving Toolkit on international justice; (2) promote the Seeking Justice educational model; (3) build transnational networks among educators and learners; and (4) support schools in incorporating international justice into their curricula.
The "Seeking Justice" project was developed in response to a significant gap in citizenship and history education across Europe concerning international justice mechanisms. While many curricula include the Nuremberg Trials, there is limited attention given to contemporary justice processes such as those of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This gap has become especially pressing in light of ongoing conflicts, where issues such as war crimes and crimes against humanity have resurfaced in public discourse. The project addresses the need for secondary school teachers and students to better understand how societies respond to serious crimes through international law. It also aims to demystify the concepts of justice and the rule of law, making them more accessible to young people. The project helps schools promote civic engagement and a deeper appreciation of human rights and democratic values across different European contexts.