European Refuge/es: Cultivating Diversity Together

Europe is in flux. The repercussions following the recent refugee ‘crisis’ are being felt across Europe. The situation has triggered strong reactions at both political and civil society levels including rises in right wing nationalist politics; nation states retreating from Europe as epitomised by Brexit; and strengthened civil society movements.

The aim of our programme is to promote understanding between European residents and refugee newcomers by understanding their experiences. We achieve this by discussing issues affecting both communities and what it means to be a citizen in Europe in facilitated online seminars that foster trust and mutual understanding. We connect refugees and non-refugees directly as personal encounters lead to the development of genuine relationships and allow young people to speak for themselves encouraging them to take ownership over the narrative that is prevalent in discussions across Europe.

During ten weeks participants from refugee and non-refugee background across European and South Mediterranean countries follow webinars from expert academics and practitioners in the field. Participants meet weekly in small groups in our tailored virtual classroom to explore their perspectives on the refugee ‘crisis’ and what it means to be a citizen in Europe. All participants jointly participate in video-project whereby they interview a peer through which they facilitate the interaction between peers across Europe.

This course is open and free of charge to anyone between 18- 30 years old who is a national of or resident in one of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Project countries. 

The application deadline for prospective students is 5 March 2018

Interactive Open Online Courses provide youth with the opportunity to learn both with and from their peers across cultural contexts and national boundaries. The facilitated online sessions are organized around relevant skill-building activities and discussing dynamic content provided by expert academics and practitioners.

If you are interested in offering this course to your students, volunteers in your organisation, or other eligible participants, please contact us. We are happy to offer more information and discuss possible partnership arrangements.

Interactive Open Online Courses provide youth with the opportunity to learn both with and from their peers across cultural contexts and national boundaries in facilitated online meetings alongside relevant skill-building activities and dynamic content provided by expert academics and practitioners. These courses combine the deep impact of intercultural exchange with the broad reach of online learning to allow more young people to have meaningful intercultural learning experiences as part of their formal or non-formal education. Interactive Open Online Courses are part of Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange. This project provides an accessible, ground-breaking way for young people to engage in intercultural learning.

An innovative learning experience

Participants in the interactive courses are provided with the opportunity to:

• Engage with youth from different countries, cultures and backgrounds in a virtual classroom;
• Discuss topical themes on technological innovations, social identity and culture;
• Learn from expert content and materials;
• Improve language and communication skills;
• Build 21st-century skills that improve employability, including the ability to work in a virtual and intercultural environment;
• Gain an Erasmus+ digital badge and become an Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange alumni.

This Interactive Open Online Course is part of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project and as such produced under a contract with the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, financed by the Union’s budget. The opinions expressed are those of the Sharing Perspectives Foundation, our partners and participants only and do not represent the European Commission’s official position.

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