-Increase staff and student competence to talk about gender diversity; -improve classroom climate; -provide role models on stage; -and strengthen international cooperation in VET performing arts. We set out to: 1) co-create and tour a musical with mixed international casts; 2) equip teachers with practical tools and masterclasses; 3) publish a reusable online toolkit and magazine; 4) connect schools with relevant civil-society organisations; 5) support students’ transition to an international labour market by building networks and intercultural skills To sum up, our purpose was to generate knowledge and understanding on how to best support gender diversity and inclusive education in schools. Through education and a supportive climate, we wanted to improve understanding and acceptance of the evolving gender spectrum.
The Musical Connection project is based on the current challenges in understanding gender diversity. Performing-arts schools face a practical need: making daily education safer and more inclusive for students across the gender spectrum. Together, four VET schools from the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland created an international learning track that connects research, classroom practice, and stage work. The project addressed barriers that LGBTIQA+ students encounter between pre-vocational and vocational education and their entry into the labour market. We aimed to update language, pedagogy, and policies, and to build staff confidence in discussing gender diversity with classes. Central to the approach was a co-created musical theatre production that translated real-life-based experiences into songs, scenes, and dialogue, supported by teacher training and a digital platform, allowing other schools to reuse tools and insights.