Developing intercultural sensitivity – building competence

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Cultural diversity is not a challenge – it is a resource that makes schools more vibrant and resilient. But how can we harness this diversity in everyday school life? How can we support pupils from a wide variety of backgrounds, religions and walks of life in such a way that encounters and mutual enrichment thrive?

Komotini in northern Greece has been a vibrant melting pot of cultures, religions and minorities for more than 500 years. Greek Orthodox Christians, Muslims, 
Pomaks and Roma have lived side by side here for generations – interculturalism is visible in the architecture, audible on the streets, palpable in the markets. 

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And all this in a city that is authentic and hardly touristy. Here, diversity can be experienced first-hand – not a staged coexistence, but everyday life lived out for centuries.

It is precisely this place that invites us to develop intercultural sensitivity and strengthen intercultural skills – during the seminar, we will try out practical methods for the classroom and international student exchanges, exchange ideas within an international group, and meet local teachers as well as members of the city’s various cultural and religious communities, who will open the doors to their world for us.

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Methology and assessement

 

Our course programme takes an experiences-based, participatory and practical approach:
Learning on the ground – Komotini becomes a learning space: a guided city tour, a joint workshop, discussions with Greek teachers and direct encounters with local people provide an authentic insight into intercultural diversity.

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Participation & exchange – Through dialogue with Greek teachers and members of various communities, we learn ‘from difference’. 
Different perspectives enrich the discussion and strengthen intercultural competence.

Creative variety of methods – Visualisation, simulation and reflection exercises, and exchange formats: these tried-and-tested methods can be directly applied to everyday school life.

Reflection & Transfer – A personal learning diary accompanies the week and supports continuous reflection on one’s own learning process.

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Certification details

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At the end of the training P.E.T.R.A. delivers a formal certificate of attendance.

Our courses are in line with the Erasmus+ Quality standards for courses under Key Action 1(learning mobility of individuals).