Migrations at the Heart of European Cultural Diversity

Summary

The project fostered intercultural understanding and active learning through the creation of a documentary and photographic report on migration in Europe. Students from Belgium and Cyprus collaborated to explore migration from diverse European perspectives, engaging directly with local communities, NGOs, and institutions.

"This project allowed us to truly meet people behind the statistics and understand the diversity of migration stories in Europe." - Participating Student

Topic(s) addressed

• Migration, cultural diversity
• European citizenship
• Civic engagement
• Reception and integration of refugees and migrants
• European identity, cultural heritage

Target group(s)

A group of 18 students took part in the mobility activity, accompanied by three adults for 12 days

Methodologies used 

The project employed a multidisciplinary, project-based approach that encouraged cooperation between students from different countries. By engaging in media production- including a documentary and photographic report- students developed both their creativity and communication skills. The core objective was to bring students face-to-face with the realities of migration in Europe. Stepping outside the classroom and beyond theoretical discussions, the project enabled them to encounter cultural diversity directly in the field by meeting with migrants, as well as those involved in managing migration, such as political figures, NGO representatives, and administrative personnel. Activities took place in both Cyprus and Brussels - two key European crossroads - allowing students to compare and reflect on the distinct regional realities of migration. The initiative also aimed to deepen their awareness of European cultural diversity and introduce them to EU policies, not only on migration but also on the broader functioning of its institutions. Finally, the mobility activities were designed to challenge and strengthen students’ language proficiency and intercultural communication skills.

Innovation environment

Our project was innovative for several reasons. it centered on the production of substantial media outputs - a photographic report and audiovisual documentary - bringing together the perspectives of students from Brussels and Cyprus. While grounded in classroom knowledge, the project also relied heavily on transversal skills, including project design and planning, task delegation, photography, filming, information sorting, image selection and editing, and narrative development. Older students played a key role in decision-making, placing them at the heart of the project's construction. The initiative fostered strong collaboration among teachers, students, and external professionals such as filmmakers and NGO representatives. By working within real migration contexts in Cyprus and Belgium, the project anchored learning in authentic, lived experiences.

Teachers’ role

Teachers guided students through each phase of the project, mentoring them in media production skills, and facilitating international collaboration. They also acted as coordinators between institutions and provided support to students throughout the mobility activities.

Impact and output

Students developed intercultural competences, communication skills, teamwork abilities, and media literacy. The project fostered inclusion by involving a diverse group of students and resulted in outputs that were shared within the two school communities and through public exhibitions.

For our students, the project was a unique experience of sharing and exchange and collaboration between the two schools. They honed their communication skills, particularly in different languages, while engaging in artistic creation, project planning and construction, and learning to negotiate and find compromises.

Learn more about the project