Conferences

The afternoon started with a presentation of INFOREF and its activities, with a focus on its ongoing European projects, with a transition to “I Have Rights”. Using the project portal, Julien Keutgen described the project objectives and the three intellectual outputs. He then addressed more in details the results of the survey conducted in the beginning of the project, using the graphs from the national survey report, with a focus on the questions related to multiculturalism, main topic of the event (the full national report was among the material distributed to all audience members). From the report, it emerged that all classes are multicultural, that students and teachers are regularly in contact with people of foreign origin at school and outside school, and that most responders express some open-mindedness towards people of other cultures. The results were consistent throughout the partner countries. This presentation was followed by some questions and discussions about the survey results, wondering whether the type of questions asked and the context in which the questionnaires were submitted (mostly at school) could influence the responders’ reply. Two teachers who had submitted the questionnaire in their respective school pointed out that the students who responded did it in total freedom; they expect most replies were sincere.

Bruno Derbaix, former teacher, sociologist and philosophers, presented the “École citoyenne” initiative (selected as best practice in “I Have Rights”), starting with a definition of the concept of “citizenship” in the context of education and the legal texts on the matter. He then described the different types of diversity in a school, addressed teachers’ problem of fostering human rights and fight hatred in class while complying with school neutrality, and talked about his experience of implementing citizenship, justice and fairness in schools to break barriers between groups at school and foster problem-solving. This involves setting rules that have been written and approved by all involved parties, including students. The presentation was followed by teachers’ questions and comments regarding their own experience and difficulties.

The afternoon was concluded with the experiences shared by two teachers who participated in “I Have Rights”.

Brigitte Rosoux, History and Religion teacher at Centre scolaire Saint-Benoît Saint-Servais (associated school in “I have Rights”), explained how her Muslims students were dismayed by how Islam was addressed in history courses (mostly through fundamentalism), and how she was herself disturbed by what she heard some her students say about immigrants. This led to different initiatives to, foster open-mindedness, including letting students share their culture in different ways (songs, food), and meeting relevant organisations and stakeholders present religion and immigration under a better light to student. Brigitte Rosoux’s initiatives were selected as best practices in “I Have Rights”.

Bernard Pecoraro, from Institute Marie-Thérèse (associated school in “I Have Rights”), participated in the training organised by the University of Siena in the framework of the project. He explained what he learnt from that training and in what ways the contexts and attitudes varied or converged in the six countries of the project partnership.

The presentations were followed by further discussions between attendants and speakers.