The teacher exchange between 29th September -12th October 2018 was a wonderful intercultural encounter.

While the topics of refugees and the diversity of Africa were treated in Hungary under the leadership of the German coordinators, the Hungarian coordinators presented the challenges of the Roma and Africa in Spain. At the same time, the Spanish coordinator led the educational work in regard to migrants in Germany.

Activities and Project results in the three schools in summary:

(Partial) Implementation of some of the projects developed by the participants for the integration of minorities and the disadvantaged with the corresponding evaluation and production of teaching materials.

1. Integration project “Show Africa”: A module with the topic of culture (countries and capitals, famous African personalities, clash of tradition and modernity, homemade African clothing), fashion show (Hungary), Africa’s challenge (Spain), jobs (Germany) was developed with the goal of showing the diversity of Africa and diminishing the negative picture of Africa.

2. “Interculturality in a different way” Planting of an intercultural herb garden in flowerpots made of recycled plastic which underlined the symbolic character as well as an overarching goal: the appeal to the youth to work on ecology as well as waste separation in an active way. More and more young people in Spain and Hungary are interested in ecology, as this issue belongs to the most important in a globalised world. Migrants and refugees who come to Europe are educated in this matter as well. While the Hungarian pupils carried out this ecology project together with the inclusion class of the school, the Spanish pupils in Kerpen completed a herb garden for the school kitchen and prepared sandwiches with herbs in conclusion.

3. Say it with music”: The topic of tolerance was treated cooperatively during the mobility in Hungary under the motto “Say it with music”. Wearing homemade African clothing, the German pupils went to the city hall square of Baktalórántháza and sang the project hymn „¡Basta ya!“- It’s enough! The headmaster, József Gerják, his deputy and other Hungarian pupils and teachers came along to support the Erasmus+ pupils of both countries with their applause and to honour the work of the previous week. After the song, the Erasmus+ Pupils showed their best side in a fashion show to Waka Waka by Shakira (left) and presented their clothing in a performance good enough for film and TV.

Finally, a flash mob danced to the Hungarian song Édentöl keletre, a song of hope. The audience, as well as the headmaster, were enthusiastic about the pupils’ work. The Erasmus+ pupils were proud of what they had accomplished in a short time. The audience danced with them to the refrain of the song „Du bist willkommen!”

4. Improvisation theatre: the Hungarian partners in Spain and the Spanish partners in Germany pursued the same goal as “Say it with music”. The pupils experienced injustice, racism and prejudices which are prevalent against the Roma. Scenes which awaken tolerance and respect were integrated into the performances in Germany.

Furthermore:

• - Implementation of the education work with regards to refugees (Hungary), Moroccans and Latin-Americans (Germany) and Roma (Spain) using Power Point presentations, experience and flight reports, newspaper articles, statistics.
• - Encounter of the Erasmus pupils with Roma and their culture at the Roma culture centre in Nyírbátor, Hungary, where we were served homemade Pojåcsza (Hungarian white bread) and cabbage rolls. Ilona, the director of the culture centre and the all-round talent, Marika, a teacher at the school, told the pupils and teachers of the work at the centre with the Roma.

On the one hand, the preservation of their culture and traditions such as music and dance is at the core of the work at the centre, on the other hand, funding programmes help the Roma to find work and promote their integration here in Hungary. We became aware of this work through a concert with dance interludes in traditional Roma clothing, which allowed us to sing, snap our fingers and also to dance along. Thanks to the cordiality of the children, youths, organisers and director we felt very welcome and are looking forward to meeting again in April.

• - Presentation of the project in the form of a travelling exhibition (Hungary)
• - Cooperation in the implementation of lessons: Encouragement of communication in German
• - Teaching of partial lessons (foreign language German) by the coordinators in all three countries.