Ideas, resources, methods and activities for informal intercultural education with young people and adults
The Education Pack All Different – All Equal aims to provide practical and theoretical materials that can be used by educators, trainers, youth workers and teachers in informal education in order to facilitate the learning process and the knowledge of young people about the social environment in which they live.
The handbook has been developed by the Council of Europe to help young people better understand the causes of racism and intolerance, as well as to value differences between people from different backgrounds. The activities in this education pack help participants develop a new or different view of society and encourage them to take constructive actions and steps towards intercultural understanding.
The target audience of these materials consists primarily of young people. The authors, however, note that the materials can be adapted to all age groups.
The Education Pack is part of the European Youth Campaign against Racism, Xenophobia, Anti-Semitism and Intolerance in 1995. Therefore, much of the text is based on examples from Europe, but the key concepts are more widely applicable. The second edition was published in 2004 with the same content but with updated examples. It was reprinted 2016 as a revised edition in English and French.
Structure and key educational methods:
Education Pack is divided into two parts:
Part A) Key concepts and basis for intercultural education
Part A reviews a number of key concepts and notions related to differences, discrimination and intercultural education. The background information provided in these three chapters contains a number of discussion questions in order to encourage the dialogue between the participants.
Part B) Activities, methods and resources
Part B contains a number of exercises designed to give the groups with different size the opportunity to work on intercultural education. These activities vary in the level of skills or knowledge required and they are easily adaptable to different conditions and environments. Activities range from storytelling through role-playing games and media analysis.
Key topics or topics by modules:
Part A – Key concepts and basis of intercultural education
- Challenges, problems and their origin
This chapter focuses mainly on Europe, but it covers at the same time many topics that could be related to different conditions and environment. Political and economic forces stand out as the main drivers of the progress of multicultural societies. Taking Europe as an example, the authors explore how these forces have created imbalances and divisions between communities, ethnic groups and nations. In Part A you will find answers to questions such as: what does it mean to be a “minority” in terms of numbers and power; what is the difference between migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; what is xenophobia, etc. - Understanding difference and discrimination
This chapter explains a wide range of terms related to difference: multicultural, intercultural, culture, identity, stereotypes, prejudice, ethnocentrism, discrimination, xenophobia, intolerance, antisemitism and racism. It examines various explanations related to racism, ranging from “racism is a myth” to “racism is deeply rooted in history.” The chapter ends with the statement that “Racism = Power + Prejudice”. - Intercultural education: a positive approach to differences
This chapter focuses on youth intercultural education, noting that it can take place both in formal settings (public education system) and in informal education settings (youth organizations, international exchange programmes). The publication presents intercultural education as a process with different stages:
1) To imagine ourselves from the outside – a personal reflection on our own reality
2) To understand the world we live in – the interdependence of different societies, regions and countries
3) To be acquainted with other realities – overcoming the “fear of the unknown”
4) To see difference in a positive way – the difference should be enriching, and not divisive
5) To favour positive attitudes, values and behaviour – acceptance, tolerance and related to them values provide a basis for solidarity
Part B – Activities, methods and resources
Part B is a compilation of 43 different activities designed to help the participants in the intercultural education practical work with a participatory approach. In addition to the instructions and other practical details related to the activity (objectives, group size, timing, etc.), each activity is characterized by a certain level of understanding and discussion skills needed for the fruitful learning experience of the group. Each activity is also marked according to the leading topic or topics (G = group dynamics, I = images of others, M = study of relevant social, cultural, economic and / or educational mechanisms, A = those that promote social change and acceptance of difference). These activities can be adapted to different contexts and groups.
* Please, find the handbook with open online access on links below in all available versions and languages.
Sources:
• Council of Europe. Manuals and Handbooks. Council of Europe – official website: https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/manuals-and-handbooks
• Intergroup Resources. All Different, All Equal: https://www.intergroupresources.com/all-different-all-equal/