The partnership between our schools- Julius-Stursberg Gymnasium in Germany, Stryn ungdomsskule in Norway, and Viljandi Gümnaasium in Estonia - has gradually evolved since 2008. Based on our long experience of participating in different international projects we have decided to continue and apply together for the project about migration with the title "Uniting Through Diversity - Migration In And To Europe", Dec.2020 - Nov.2022
Migration is the process of people moving from one place to another, often across borders or within a country. This phenomenon can be driven by various factors, including economic opportunities, social reasons, political instability, environmental changes, and conflicts. In our project, we focused on international migration (across borders), the history, reasons, and perspectives of migration in the three partnership countries. The topics of our 5 project meetings were:
- History of migration in Norway/Germany/Estonia since the 1900s
- Integration of immigrants and refugees in the community. Refugees in Germany compared to Norway and Estonia
- Reasons for current and future emigration and immigration in Europe and worldwide
- Creating understanding and tolerance for immigrants and refugees in the community
- Different perspectives and attitudes towards migration
Historically, migration has played a significant role in shaping societies and cultures and it varies widely among countries. In our project, we learned that in all three countries throughout history, there have been similarities, e.g. migration has been driven by factors such as the search for better economic prospects, escape from persecution, and the pursuit of improved living conditions. The impact of migration is multifaceted, it has influenced both the origin and destination communities. People migrate due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. Reasons for current and future emigration are mostly economic when people seek employment opportunities or better living standards in a different region or country. This can result in a transfer of skills, cultural exchange, and economic development. However, it may also lead to challenges such as social integration, competition for resources, and potential strains on infrastructure and public services. During the project we understood how fast the migration situation in the world can change, e.g. Estonia faced the challenge of accepting more than 50,000 migrants from Ukraine. In our project activities (different lectures and presentations) we explained that this type of migration presents unique challenges, including the need for humanitarian assistance and resettlement efforts. We met with experts who stressed the necessity of the protection of migrants' rights, and explained that migration is a complex process with profound social, economic, and cultural implications.
The pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine caused several adjustments to the project timeline, and we had to revisit plans, considering the extended timeframe and potential changes in participants' availability. COVID-19 led to untraditional project activities, such as online workshops and online seminars. We had to adapt quickly to remote alternatives to ensure the project's continuity.
The online format enabled collaboration across geographical borders, and the teachers as well as project participants could successfully engage in discussions and share experiences.
The key participant groups included students, teachers, other school staff, parents, and local participants who did not travel as part of the project. Students, aged 16-18 were actively involved in the project, participating in different project activities, aimed to enhance their intercultural understanding and key competencies. These activities developed their awareness of migration issues and fostered a sense of global citizenship.
The project activities, interviews, podcasts, and presentations aimed to promote intercultural understanding and inclusivity, and foster mutual respect. The development of key competencies has been a crucial outcome, with a focus on skills such as communication, critical thinking, cultural and digital competence, and citizenship. These competencies are essential for individuals to thrive in multicultural environments, promoting personal growth and societal cohesion. Social inclusion has been a central theme, by fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility, the project contributes to the creation of more inclusive societies. The promotion of common values has been another notable achievement, emphasizing the importance of accepting cultural differences. The project showed the importance of intercultural education, and lifelong learning. The development of key competencies, social inclusion, common values, and civic engagement are the achievements that have long-lasting impacts on the participants and help to contribute to building more inclusive, cohesive, and resilient societies.