Lothar Thiel (Project Manager)
on 2018-06-16

Dear Gaia, dear Egidio and all your classmates,

I think your considerations are very important. Reflecting and discussing them can also push integration processes elsewhere, including the communication between the existing trait d'union teams of Assisi/Italy, Gurgaon/India and München/Germany. Because if there is not a lot of communication, this could also show a lack of integration and corporate identity.

Do the young of different cultures and/or countries really share some interests and values that could serve as a basis for a sustainable exchange of ideas? Or is the participation in intercultural projects only the short-living result of some teachers' wishful dreams?

You touched upon self-reflection and the need of showing oneself, as a condition of mutual understanding and integration. You are right. Let's take these insights as guidelines in the class and for the trait d'union communication as well.

All the best

Lothar Thiel

Integration at school
by Gaia Pagliuca (2001) Liceo Sesto Properzio, Assisi/Italy on 2018-06-02

HI, we are Gaia and Egidio. We made an interview for you with our classmates. We hope you like it. This is a summary in English. The whole interview in Italian language will be available shortly on trait d’union Radio.

 

trait d’union: Which value do you give to the word “integration”?

Integration is important to form groups where each person shares opinions, ideas, feelings. It’s a great value, it’s important to welcome everyone without prejudices. If you want to be integrated, you have to show yourself. First of all, you must know yourself and then the others. 

trait d’union: What should we do to integrate someone?

We should be kind and we need to involve the others in our things. We have to open our hearts and not be afraid to do something, because it is normal to make mistakes.

trait d’union: Why do people tend to shut themselves off?

In my opinion people tend to shut themselves off because they are afraid of other people’s judgment. People tend to shut themselves off because they are afraid of showing themselves and exposing their ideas, opinions and so on, probably because they don’t feel comfortable with themselves.

trait d’union: Do you think integration in the class is important? Why?

Yes, it’s very important, however sometimes people don’t understand the others, because probably they have less sensitivity. We shouldn’t give importance to people’s opinions. In the class we have to stay together, even though we are different, because at school we learn to work as a group.  

trait d’union: How can teachers and the school help the students?

Sometimes the teaching of a subject isn’t the most important thing; teachers should organize exchanges or group-work to strengthen the class community. Often there is a lot of competitiveness in a class, and this is not good: teachers shouldn’t encourage the most capable students much because a less competent person could feel offended.

trait d’union: What should persons who feel offended do to integrate?

First, they should try to change their point of view and see if they have the right behavior to be integrated: Integration comes from two or more people, not only from one of them.  After that, they should search for common interests because to share an activity with someone is always a good thing, and often the beginning of a friendship.