The aim of the project was to strengthen intercultural peace education as an integral component of vocational education and training at both schools. Learners were to expand their intercultural action competence, their intercultural communication skills, and their understanding of European values and democratic participation. In addition, the project sought to reduce prejudices, promote empathy, and develop the ability to resolve conflicts constructively. Teachers were to become acquainted with and test new didactic methods of peace and democracy education. At an institutional level, the project aimed to establish a sustainable German-French partnership that strengthens the European spirit and enables long-term cooperation in the field of vocational education and training.
As vocational schools, HLA Lohne and CaenSup face similar challenges: increasing cultural diversity, growing social polarization, and a rising need for democratic education and peace-building skills among young adults. Many learners have little international experience and only limited opportunities to systematically develop intercultural competences within everyday school life. Both schools applied for the Erasmus+ project in order to embed intercultural peace education within vocational education and training. The aim was to provide all participants with space for encounter and reflection and to raise awareness of democratic values, tolerance, and non-violent conflict resolution. At the same time, at an institutional level, there was a need to expand international cooperation and to sustainably integrate innovative pedagogical approaches into everyday school practice. A central concern of the project was to address the link between peace and climate change. In view of the global challenges posed by climate change, it is essential that young people learn how intercultural cooperation can strengthen their peace competences, including in the field of environmental issues.