The aim of this project is to consolidate students’ and teachers’ European identity by supporting them to move away from nationalist interpretations of history – which are still prevalent, despite slight improvements.
Teachers from several European countries will be involved in a process aiming at broadening and deepening their understanding of modern history in Europe, particularly the Holocaust.
Organizing remembrance events is an important part of keeping the memory alive, but it is not enough. We can prevail as democratic societies only if we manage to empower young people to become active citizens who think critically and deconstruct propaganda and manipulation, active citizens who stand up for human rights and who understand that human dignity is more important than any ideology.
Innovative methodologies will be used to support teachers in five countries to engage students in meaningful learning processes and commemorative events, so that history is not seen as a distant thing of the past, but an important part that shaped our present and our identity. Teachers and students will be empowered to understand the important role they play in building a better future, one in which history is no longer distorted, but scientifically studied, emotionally accepted.
A number of 180 direct beneficiaries will be involved in the project – mainly teachers – and over 5000 indirect beneficiaries – students, parents and other members of local communities.
The main activities of the project are: national seminars in Poland, Romania, Italy, Greece and Croatia, follow-up educational and remembrance projects carried out by participating teachers with students and members of the local community and an international conference with teachers, organisations and institutions from 10 European countries, which will take place in Croatia.
The project partners are:
- Big Picture, Poland (coordinator);
- Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania;
- CDEC Foundation, Italy;
- Jewish Museum of Greece;
- Documenta, Croatia.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the CERV programme and by TOLI – The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights, and it is implemented in the period February 1st 2023 – September 30th 2024.
The national seminar for teachers in Italy was organised by Fondazione CDEC in Trieste from 3 to 7 September 2023. A report of the event is available here.