To promote social inclusion and active participation among adults, especially those in vulnerable or marginalised situations, through an innovative approach to Newspaper Theatre. To strengthen participants’ ability to read, analyse and critically assess news and information using diverse theatrical and educational techniques. A key objective was also to explore how Newspaper Theatre methodologies can be applied to contemporary media and social media in order to counter misinformation and fake news, including among younger generations. To enhance participants’ personal, social and civic competences through participatory and non-formal educational approaches. It aimed to develop, test and validate innovative theatrical and pedagogical methodologies in adult education that can be applied within communities and across different social contexts. Another important objective was to strengthen the professional competences of educators and facilitators involved in the project, particularly in the use of Newspaper Theatre and theatre-based methods in their daily work. Finally, the project aimed to reinforce European cooperation among partner organisations and to support the long-term sustainability and transferability of its results.
The project was developed in response to concrete needs identified through our work with adult learners from diverse social and cultural backgrounds, many of whom face social exclusion, discrimination. We identified a strong need to strengthen key competences such as critical thinking, active participation, intercultural dialogue, and personal and collective empowerment. The project addresses these needs through innovative non-formal educational approaches inspired by Augusto Boal and Paulo Freire, focusing on experiential learning, participatory theatre. A second key motivation was the growing spread of disinformation and the increasing influence of media in shaping public narratives. Within Theatre of the Oppressed, and particularly through Newspaper Theatre, there are methodologies specifically suited to addressing information and media issues. This led us to design a project that updates and expands these tools in relation to contemporary media and social media contexts. The project therefore aimed to provide effective tools for individuals and community actors to become critical and active participants in public life, with a strong focus on media and information, also offering new perspectives, good practices and capacities