The basis for SOCIAL INCLUSION compiled by a team of Polish students from Nakło.
➮ In Chile discrimination is different, talking about schools, the only way to be truly isolated is to isolate yourself. At the classes, everyone talks to everyone even if they are not friends. Although, discrimination can be very noticeable when changing the social environment, in both directions. People with a certain high social “status” don't like people who don't have that same status. The same thing happens the other way around. I know it and I say it from experience, the change between private and public schools is enormous, but even with all the prejudices that may exist, people give themselves the opportunity to meet and get along.
by Antonia Ramirez, Chile/ on a peer exchange in Trzecie Liceum Ogólnokształcące in Bydgoszcz
➮ People get excluded from a group for a single reason- themselves. The problem of exclusion is not one sided. In a reasonable situation, a person is excluded because of their actions or repeated behaviours or personality that are objectively negative or have caused harm to someone or something; like excluding someone because they litter or smoke, or acted poorly in a situation hurting their friends. However, humans are not reasonable, especially children. A person could be excluded for superficial or downright irrational reasons. Jealousy, financial status, fashion choice, natural beauty (or lack thereof), choice of hobbies, sexual orientation, religion, country/place of birth or a person just doesn't like you, are often the apparant reasons for excluding or bullying a person at school but these are just excuses. To a person wanting to exclude you, everything is a reason to exclude you, even things you cannot change about yourself. Everything you do is wrong to them. For this kind of irrational exclusion there is no better solution than to find better friends.
Exclusion is universal. People everywhere get excluded. It preys on social validation, and the desire for friends; which is a universal feeling that trancends language barriers and cultural differences. This problem can be mitigated by increasing the collective emotional maturity of the human population which can let people have a healthy fulfilling relationship with people around them.
by Koparde Yuvvray Dameer, India / on a peer exchange in Trzecie Liceum Ogólnokształcące in Bydgoszcz, Poland
➮ What American teen movie comes to mind, if you had to choose only one? While I've been studying abroad, one of the things I've been asked the most is, "What is High School like in the United States, is it just like Mean Girls?" or "Who was the Regina George of your school?" I realize this is kind of a strange question. Of course, some high school friendship groups are exaggerated in these Hollywood productions. In actuality, bullying someone because they wear glasses or braces is a rare occurrence. An individual may feel excluded or socially isolated for a variety of reasons. In the US, silence and awkward conversation are typically very uncomfortable. So, it tends to put off new people if someone is lousy at small conversation or if you perceive a rigidity in the air. Of course, there could be other unimportant explanations for why a teenager could be struggling to make friends. For instance, if they have money or are dressed in "trendy" clothing. However, how someone looks doesn't really affect whether or not other people like them. How you make them feel is the most important first impression if you want to make friends
by Sofia Gustafson- the USA / on a peer exchange in Bydgoszcz, Poland
➮ Unfortunately, Polish people dominate the rankings in terms of many prejudices. Of course not every Pole, but there are some groups that are known for this. One of them, of the prejudices is racism, unfortunately, some citizens do not tolerate people with different skin colour. I have heard from older friend that several Polish students have envied colour skin students better accommodation condition that was offered to them by university. Moreover, hair colour may seem like a trivial problem, but redheads are not among the most popular in Poland. Because of the colour of their hair, they are ridiculed and pointed out from an early age. It is noticed that such people, with red hair, have got many offensive nicknames.
by Kacper, 11 years old, Poland,
Primary School in Słębowo
➮I would like to describe prejudice in polish schools. The first rite are people who have got red hair. I noticed that such people are considered fake by some students. I have been witness of the situation: a red-haired student passed by and other student shouted "readhead is fake ! ". What is worse, the second group that is sometimes rejected are nerds. To put it more clearly, poorly learning students prevail, if someone learns better, he or she is exceptional, stands out of the crowd. Perhaps some students envy someone who learns better.
Agnieszka Pilachowska,13 years old,
Primary School in Słębowo, Poland
➮The theme of this blog will be the stalking red-haired people here in Poland. It is estimated that there are 2500 red-haired people in Poland. I don't understand why such exceptional and rare people are not accepted by society. To avoid prejudice I would suggest some lessons in schools that would teach acceptance of people with a different appearance. This bothers me a lot. I know these people are not well. I would like to hear from you on this topic.
Zuzia Pejka, 12 years old,
Primary School in Słębowo, Poland.
➮We are going to focus on why people are exluded based on their look. Sometimes we judge book by its cover. Society created some norms about how people should look and how they shouldn't. Women are expected to be slim and neat looking, medium height, have long, healthy hair and clear skin. Men are supposed to be tall, muscular and elegant. In Poland females sometimes are critcized just because they want to openly share their opinions, and they want to do something for themselves and not only for others. But also men are ashamed if they want to take care not only of their apperance but also of their mental health. In Poland there is a saying that: "Boys/Men don't cry".
Julia, Kornelia, Magdalena,
III LO Włocławek, Poland.
Inclusive education (IE), which calls for equal opportunities for students with diverse abilities in the achievement of knowledge, has been developed as a central pedagogical strategy in primary schools worldwide, including those in Turkey. Besides educators, the issue of IE becomes an important discussion area among designers who question the provision of supportive learning environments in terms of inclusion. Equal opportunity, diversity, social justice, and participation are necessary to comprehensively understand inclusion and evaluate the spatial character of inclusive learning environments. The lack of clarity of ideas about inclusion leads to the limited implementation of IE in Turkey. Insufficient provision of school facilities that are necessary for IE and a lack of effective and comprehensive design approaches for physical learning environments further complicate this situation. Design specifications in Turkish regulations regarding inclusive learning environments in primary schools remain too technical, as they merely focus on the issue of disability and special education rather than inclusion.
Şevval,50.Yıl Secondary Sch-Türkiye
Social exclusion can occur for various reasons and its symptoms may differ in different countries, including Turkey. Physical or mental disabilities can cause exclusion. In Turkey, this happens when people with disabilities are treated badly or can't access the help they need. Discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or cultural background is another cause of social exclusion.To avoid things like these we can create awareness campaigns to promote acceptance and understanding among different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups.
Ipek Rana ,KAAL,Hilal KAYA, Türkiye
Social exclusion is not a simple term, it most likely can not be explained with just one sentence and a lot of people have their own understanding of it. In my opinion social exclusion means that some people or groups are not treated fairly and are left out of society because of their race, ethnicity, gender, etc. From my point of view it’s just creating false assumptions about people and judging who they are based on those traits. People who usually exclude others from the society typically barely know the victim and are not willing to become acquainted with them. The consequences of social exclusion can be severe. Individuals who are socially excluded may experience a range of negative outcomes like unemployment, lack of social support, or even feelings of sadness and loneliness. In conclusion, social exclusion is a complex issue that requires a lot of effort to be solved. By working together to promote social inclusion and equity, we can create a society where everyone has the same opportunities.
by Karol Pikul - Secondary School No. 3 in Bydgoszcz - Poland
How do we define social exclusion? It’s a state which a person doesn’t feel like a part of society as a result of various reasons. I believe it’s a current and common issue. However, we don’t give it as much publicity and attention as we should.
The students of Secondary School number 3 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, decided to carry out some research. During the Open Day, we asked candidates at our school about teenagers’ experiences with social exclusion. The survey shows us how many people struggle with that difficulty and what has made them feel that way. It is essential to get to know how this looks in practice and not only talk about the reasons and outcomes of the exclusion. I believe it’ll simplify understanding the people who relate to that. Thanks to that we can give them a helping hand.
The first survey question was: “Have you ever felt socially excluded?” 15 out of 22 interviewed people answered “yes”. That’s really a lot. To my mind, it’s disappointing that society is getting more and more aware of inequality, even though so many of us feel like strangers in their own habitats.
The other question was: “What made you feel that way?”. The largest group of people chose the behavior ground. Only two of them chose appearance. So there comes a question. Why do we care so much about people’s actions? They don’t have to feel guilty or be ashamed of who they are and how they appear as a human. The fact is that it’s caused by peers’ pressure. But if you’re not perfect in their mind, you’re just being yourself. And it makes you flawless. I believe that this is the message you should keep in your mind.
So, how can we make socially excluded people back into society? Only by making them truly realize that their imperfections are their uniqueness.
by Julia Sulkowska, Bydgoszcz, Poland
In furtherance of the aim defined as social inclusion, several practices taking into consideration all aspects of day-to-day life are enforceable.
The step of utmost importance is engaging the excluded individuals in social life by means of joint collaboration between opposite groups. It ought to develop a sense of belonging, confidence and mutual sympathy and may manifest itself in participation in social, cultural, or political events in the immediate vicinity.
Taking action on a juridical level is likewise imperative. Elucidating the prominence of the matter to the policy-makers as well as exhorting to implement national inclusive public policies, poverty reduction strategies therein. It has been proven that penurious people living in downright misery or homelessness experience poorer physical and mental health along with being vulnerable to indulgence in substance abuse that contributes to marginalization of this group.
It is beyond any doubt that society is perfectly able to minimize exclusion. The success depends only on a common attitude so as to radicate inclusive postures in general social relations. No one should be left behind and this is to every individuals’ advantage
by Jakub Chełminiak - Secondary School No. 3 in Bydgoszcz - Poland
During this project, I realized that sometimes I can hurt people by my actions. Exclusion has so many roots like differences of race, gender, class, generation. An inclusive society is „a society for all”, in which every individual has his rights and responsibilities and also ensure equal opportunities for all to achieve full potential in live.
In Romania, The Roma community constitutes one of the principal ethnic minorities in Romania. There are many social programs which offer them access to social services and adequate housing. They define with a high illiteracy and unemployment rates. Our community has been working, in partnership with authorities, to increase the integration of vulnerable Roma children and youths. We have provided them with free English classes and integrate them with other communities in Romanian through many of our projects and activities. We also, have Roma colleagues that are trying to integrate in our groups and we have lots of actions to create a very inclusive environment for them. They are great team mates.
Another discriminated group is people with disabilities. We have some students that are coming with their parents at school, because they need help. They can't write, they can't move because they sit in wheel chair. All teachers make efforts to explain how important is to support these children and to make their live better.
Inclusion is a serious topic, is about real life and is about what we can do as individuals to make a better world.
by Bogdan Boștinaru - Secondary School Hălchiu - Romania
Our class participated in the educational program of Amnesty International "Me and You Together" on human rights , focusing on diversity, accessibility and equality. The main objective of the actions implemented was to expand our knowledge of human rights and to strengthen empathy, acceptance of diversity and broader social inclusion. We watched the film "One school, two worlds", which has as its theme the co-education of a deaf student in the school of a village in Chania. We realised that in our community we often treat people with disabilities differently and we figured out that the state should take care of these people, because they are human just like us and they have the same rights.
by 6th grade of 2nd Primary School Mileon- Kalon Neron, Greece
The topic of our eTwinning Project has served as an inspiration to one of Staszic High School Complex (Nakło nad Notecią, Poland) students who created these posters in a raster graphics editor app.
Social Inclusion and Exclusion in Modern Society and Our Generation
Maria Rosińska, Grade 1, Staszic High School Complex,
Nakło nad Notecią, Poland
Social inclusion and exclusion are critical issues that have been at the forefront of modern society for quite some time. These issues have a significant impact on our generation, and we must address them. Inclusion is the process of ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to participate in social, economic, and political activities. However, exclusion occurs when certain individuals or groups are denied access to these opportunities due to various barriers such as discrimination, poverty, and social marginalization.
It is essential to note that social exclusion can have severe consequences, such as increased poverty rates, reduced economic growth, and social unrest. Therefore, congressmen must work to address these issues comprehensively. This can be achieved by implementing policies that promote social inclusion, such as education and training programs, anti-discrimination laws, and social protection measures.
Technology has had a major impact on social inclusion and exclusion in modern society. It has created new opportunities for social interaction, networking, and educational resources which can be accessed by all. However, the benefits of technology are not shared equally. While it has provided new opportunities for some, it has also widened the digital divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not. This divide has led to increased social exclusion, particularly among low-income individuals and marginalized communities who lack access to digital resources. These groups may struggle to access important information, job opportunities, or healthcare services which can have significant consequences for their well-being and quality of life. In addition, the digital divide can limit access to education, which can have long-term implications for individuals and their communities. As such, it is important that we work towards closing this gap to ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities provided by technology. This can be done through initiatives that provide access to digital resources, as well as education and training programs that help individuals to develop the skills needed to effectively use technology.
For example, technology has the power to connect people across vast distances and facilitate communication between individuals who may have never met in person. As such, it can be a powerful tool for promoting social inclusion by breaking down barriers and creating new opportunities for people to connect with one another. Similarly, education can be a powerful tool for promoting social inclusion by providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives.
Education is undoubtedly one of the most critical factors in promoting social inclusion in modern society. As a matter of fact, it provides individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in social, economic, and political activities, which are crucial for social integration. However, it is essential to remember that disparities in access to education and quality of education can perpetuate social exclusion, particularly among disadvantaged groups, such as low-income families, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities. That is why it is crucial to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to quality education. This can be achieved through a combination of policies and initiatives, such as providing financial support for low-income students, investing in teacher training and professional development, and developing inclusive curricula that reflect the diversity of society. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and inclusive community, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are essential for promoting social inclusion in modern society, which has become increasingly diverse in recent years. A diverse and inclusive workplace provides equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic background. This promotes social inclusion by creating a sense of belonging and community among all employees, which in turn leads to increased productivity and creativity. Furthermore, a diverse and inclusive workplace can help to attract and retain top talent, as well as improve the reputation and overall success of the company. By embracing diversity and inclusion, companies can not only benefit their employees but also contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable society as a whole.
At the same time, the workplace can also be a source of social inclusion or exclusion, depending on how it is structured and managed. For example, workplaces that are diverse and inclusive are more likely to foster positive relationships among employees and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute to the
organization's success. In contrast, workplaces that are exclusionary or discriminatory can perpetuate social exclusion and create barriers to advancement for certain individuals or groups.
Given the critical role that technology, education, and the workplace play in promoting social inclusion and reducing social exclusion, we must address these issues head-on. By doing so, we can ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities to participate in social, economic, and political activities. In turn, this can help create a more inclusive and just society for all, where everyone has the chance to thrive and succeed.
Students of Staszic High School Complex in Nakło nad Notecią (Poland) decided to share their personal experiences regarding exclusion.
At primary school I was excluded because I was tall and very skinny. They thought that I should be the best at sports because of my height. I wasn’t always the best in class and that’s why I was rejected.
Nina Roseanu
I was much excluded because I was very sensitive and when something very stressful happened I burst into tears and everyone would say I was forcing myself to cry, so others would repent me.
Zuzanna Szczepaniak
I was excluded because of my diet because I am a vegetarian and people saw only the disadvantages of having a diet. I was also excluded due to my complexion because I am very pale and some people believe that it is related to an illness, but I just use sunscreen, because I have a lot of moles.
Julia Pozorska
At my primary school I knew a guy who was obese and annoying. The kids in our class really didn't like him and they were bullying him a lot. Almost always he was excluded from diffrent games and projects. I was also excluded for being shy and chubby, but it was nothing like the guy I mentioned before.
Hubert Urbański
When I was at elementary school, there was a girl in my class who was socially excluded. This girl was very nice, but the other students made fun of her because she was very calm and studied very well and that was the only thing that made her different from them.
Agata Tyburczy
At elementary school, I was often excluded because of my appearance. One of the main reasons was my height. I was always the shortest in the class, which my peers often reminded me of. It bothered me a lot and made me feel inferior even though I knew it wasn't my fault and I couldn't do anything about it.
Natalia Dróbka
When I was a child, social exclusion was common. I had always worn glasses and that was the main reason for my social exclusion, because not many children wore glasses back then and it was strange for others.
Marta Mrotek