From November 21st to 26th, 2024, Paralimni Lyceum had the distinct pleasure of hosting 12 students and 2 teachers from Johann Comenius School, Emmerthal, Germany. This impactful Erasmus+ mobility, titled "Unmasking Bias: Youth Against Racism and Discrimination," was a significant step in our ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion, critical thinking, and social justice among our students.
This mobility served as a culmination of our eTwinning collaboration, where students from both schools had already established online connections and exchanged initial ideas virtually on the project's core themes.
The "Unmasking Bias" project aspires to empower young people to actively challenge prejudice and stereotypes. Through an immersive and collaborative approach, students critically analyze various aspects of contemporary life – including music, sports, workplaces, and films – to uncover and deconstruct harmful stereotypes and discriminatory practices.
The project's approach emphasizes critical analysis, creative expression, open dialogue, community engagement, and action-oriented initiatives. By delving into these different spheres, students foster empathy, enhance their understanding of diverse perspectives, and cultivate mutual respect. The ultimate goal is to empower students to become catalysts for change, advocating for equality and social justice, and contributing to a more just and inclusive society.
A rich and diverse program was meticulously planned to engage students in meaningful learning experiences, blending intensive project work with valuable cultural immersion.
The mobility commenced with a heartfelt welcoming ceremony at our school's Auditorium. Our students enthusiastically presented on Paralimni Lyceum and the local area, offering insights into Cypriot life. Our German guests reciprocated with engaging presentations about their school and community, fostering an immediate sense of connection and shared purpose. This initial interaction was followed by a fun Quiz Activity and a comprehensive tour of our school facilities, helping everyone get acquainted with their new learning environment.
A foundational component of the mobility was an dedicated eTwinning Workshop, expertly delivered by eTwinning Ambassador, Mr. George Konstantinou. This session provided essential training on utilizing the eTwinning platform for online collaborative project work, ensuring students were well-equipped with the digital tools necessary for their tasks. Following this, Dr. Maria Magklara provided academic guidance for the project activities, outlining the project's objectives and expectations. Students immediately began to share ideas and work on the project through the eTwinning platform, setting the stage for their collaborative journey.
A significant portion of the mobility was dedicated to intensive group work, where students delved into their chosen focus areas of racism and discrimination within music, sports, workplaces, and films. Under the guidance of supervising teachers Dr. Maria Magklara & Koulla Hadjianastasi, students engaged in critical analysis, research, and creative production.
The activities within these thematic areas included:
Racism in Show Business and Films:
Industry Statistics Review: Examining current statistics on racial diversity in various entertainment industry roles, using resources like the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report.
Historical Film Analysis: Watching and analyzing film clips from different decades to observe the evolution of racial representation, discussing stereotypes, their effects, and strategies for challenging them.
Pinpointing Cultural Stereotypes: Contemplating cultural stereotypes depicted in films, such as scenes from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and discussing how portrayals reinforce or challenge them.
You can view the activities and students' responses on eTwinning here.
Racism in Music:
Racial Representation on Children's Songs: Exploring biases and problematic content in children's music through a TED Talk.
Case Study: Analyzing docuseries on the history of racism in the music industry, focusing on systemic racism, exploitation, and proposed solutions.
Alternative Narrative Workshop: Creating new songs promoting equality and understanding, or rewriting problematic lyrics while discussing the impact of language choices.
You can view the activities and students' responses on eTwinning here.
Racism in Sports:
Athlete Testimonies: Watching and discussing powerful testimonies from athletes who have faced racism (e.g., Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho), focusing on their experiences, the impact on their careers, and responses from sports organizations.
Statistics Analysis: Examining statistics on racial discrimination in sports, including representation in leadership, wage gaps, and reported incidents, and discussing how to reduce discrimination.
Creative Campaign Development: Creating short videos with key messages and athlete quotes, or designing social media posts (e.g., Instagram) to highlight the impact of racism in sports and promote inclusion.
You can view the activities and students' responses on eTwinning here.
Racism in the Workplace:
Opening Discussion: Discussing how racial discrimination appears in today's European workplace, insights from statistics, and identifying specific ways racism is experienced.
Personal Testimonies: Watching video interviews with individuals sharing their experiences with workplace racism, noting examples of discriminatory behavior and changes needed.
Speak Up for Workplace Equality and Inclusion: Creating posts with visual elements (image, video, drawing) representing workplace equality, explaining their choice, and promoting equality.
You can view the activities and students' responses on eTwinning here.
Students collaborated extensively on eTwinning and Padlet platforms to share their findings, brainstorm ideas, and work on their deliverables. They critically analyzed material, identified stereotypes, and developed their own anti-racist content, including posters and songs. This culminated in the deadline for their projects on Day 5.
Beyond the dedicated project time, students engaged in impactful interactive lessons:
Our physical education teacher, Mr. Andreas Papaioannou, led an engaging activity on "Fair Play & Respect in Sports." This theoretical session was immediately followed by a friendly Futsal Game, where students actively applied the principles of fair play and respect on the field, fostering positive interaction and teamwork.
English teacher Ms. Katerina Pittadji delivered a powerful lesson on Civil Rights. This included a thought-provoking "Privilege Walk," a visual activity that effectively demonstrated social inequality and privilege. The lesson also focused on the inspiring story of Rosa Parks, enhancing students' reflective thinking on human rights and social justice.
The weekend offered a rich opportunity for cultural immersion, allowing our students to share the beauty and heritage of Cyprus with their German peers:
Exploring the Area: Students visited picturesque locations in Protaras & Ayia Napa, renowned for their stunning coastline and natural beauty. They also embarked on a trip to Larnaca, exploring its historical sites and vibrant atmosphere.
Common Dinner: A memorable evening was spent enjoying a common dinner at a traditional tavern, where students and teachers from both schools bonded over authentic Cypriot dishes, experiencing the local culinary traditions firsthand.
These cultural excursions facilitated intercultural understanding and strengthened the bonds between the participants, complementing the academic focus of the project.
On the final full day, students proudly presented their collaborative work in front of their peers and teachers at the school's main auditorium. This was a culmination of their week-long efforts, showcasing their research findings, creative outputs (including anti-racist posters and songs), and their collective understanding of the project's themes. The presentations were followed by a lively discussion, where students received peer feedback and engaged in critical reflection.
The mobility concluded with a heartwarming Farewell Ceremony, where all participants received Certificates of Attendance recognizing their active involvement and successful completion of the "Unmasking Bias" project. This event celebrated their achievements and provided a fitting closure to a truly enriching experience.
The "Unmasking Bias" mobility with Johann Comenius School proved to be an exceptionally rewarding experience for all involved. Students demonstrated remarkable critical thinking, effectively analyzing complex issues of racism and discrimination across various domains. Their creative expression in developing anti-racist campaigns, posters, and songs showcased their profound understanding and commitment to the project's goals.
Through collaborative group work and open dialogue, students fostered increased empathy, mutual understanding, and respect. The active engagement in eTwinning and other digital platforms not only enhanced their digital competencies but also facilitated seamless transnational cooperation. Students also had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences throughout the project, detailing their favourite parts, the collaborative process, and the overall impact of the mobility. They also had to articulate their work distribution within their respective groups, demonstrating teamwork and accountability.
This exchange reinforced the importance of intercultural understanding and active citizenship. By bringing together young people from different backgrounds to address a universal challenge, Paralimni Lyceum continues to solidify its role as a dynamic educational hub, empowering students to become informed and active advocates for a more just and inclusive society.
Continue to foster long-term collaborations with Johann Comenius School and other European partners to deepen the impact of the "Unmasking Bias" project.
Explore new digital tools and methodologies to further enhance online collaboration and creative output in future mobilities.
Integrate community engagement activities more formally into the project, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world contexts.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the successful organization and implementation of the "Unmasking Bias" mobility:
Mr. George Konstantinou, our eTwinning Ambassador, for his invaluable training and support.
Our supervising teachers, Dr. Maria Magklara and Ms. Koulla Hadjianastasi, for their exceptional guidance and dedication to the project.
Mr. Andreas Papaioannou and Ms. Katerina Pittadji for their engaging and impactful lessons.
The Paralimni Municipality and the Paralimni Lyceum Parents' Association for their generous support in organizing the common dinner and other cultural activities.
All the staff, students, and families who contributed to making this mobility a memorable and successful experience.