Case Studies

Name of the teacher

Graça Pratas; José Dias

Email:

graç[email protected] ; [email protected]

Country:

Portugal

Subject taught:

Philosophy and Arts

Years of experience:

35; 25

Name of the School:

Escola Secundária José Falcão

School Typology:

Upper Secondary School

Country:

Portugal

City:

Coimbra

Web site:

Background and Context:

Escola Secundária José Falcão is located in a central area of our town, Coimbra, and it has a long history. We were the first high school in Coimbra and one of the first in the country. Geographically, Coimbra is located in the center of Portugal and it has long traditions in the learning field: Coimbra’s University, with over 800 years, is one of the oldest of Europe. Culturally the region is very rich in ancient traditions that persist till today.
Actually, we celebrate the 185th year of existence .With a total of about nine hundred students, eighteen foreigners from several countries of Europe Africa and America. Our school is mostly directed to those who wish to follow higher education, most of them are science students. However, it also hosts one professional course. The school has a Students’ Association which is very dynamic and concerned with everyone’s success, Always supporting, and being part of the activities proposed by teachers.

Factual Description:

As part of the celebration of the International Human Rights Day - 10 December 2016, a team of teachers of Arts, Philosophy and Portuguese worked in an interdisciplinary way to develop the project “Walls of Europe”, in order to sensitize students and to make them think about this theme.
This project, organised in several activities, regarding human rights, aims at reflecting on one of the major issues of our time, the walls of Europe. We have heard about them, but installed hedonism, noise, distance and media images "trivialize evil." We think that with the project “The Walls of Europe", which was addressed to all the students, the school made a contribution to develop the knowledge and understanding of human rights. Many migrant issues were raised, leading to several important discussions, focusing mainly in the urgency of inclusion of migrants and refugees in Europe. Discrimination and social exclusion issues were also raised, namely homeless and refugees issues. The impact was very positive, leading to a major perception on the part of the students, regarding the migrations and refugees problems. The students became more aware to the importance of an active citizenship and to the respect for human rights as a way to the current challenges.

Activities carried out:

To promote reflection on these subjects, the project included several activities, such as the visualization of the film "Ladri di Biciclette" by Vittorio di Sica and play "Tell the Truth to Power", by the Bonifrates company and a contest of phrases and texts about the refugee crisis. It was also organised an exhibition through the students’ artistic practice. The goal was to alert the educational community to the challenges that Europe, and the world in general, are dealing with. For this purpose, the appropriation of the material card as a metaphor for a reality, where the card, despite its fragility, is much sought after by those seeking a vehicle, a rest bed or a territorial "house”. Finally, food items were collected and delivered to an organisation that is dedicated to accompanying children from Portugal and foreigner countries.
The NGO “Amnistia Internacional” was involved in the process, monitoring and contributing with their acquired know how along the years.
Non formal education tools were applied, namely participation and artistic tools. Students were very motivated demonstrating commitment and dynamism in carrying out the activities. Generally, the parents showed interest in the activities developed.

Assessment and lesson learnt:

The results were positive. The students have gained the notion of the importance of actively participating in issues that involve human rights, particularly in the defense of the most vulnerable and defenseless. They have acquired the notion of the importance and urgency of a more participatory and consequently more inclusive society. The activity also led students to contact with children and young people from other parts of the world.

The students' expression through writing (sentence contest) and artistic expression (exhibition) less ephemeral forms of manifestation become visible for all school community, students, teachers and parents.