Meeting in Italy
May 2013
Our Idea of Integration
We started our local
activities by introducing
the aims and expectations
of the project and
discussing the concepts of
“diversity” and
“integration”. We all
agreed that Integration is
not only being together
but sharing, working,
creating something
beautiful and useful
together.
Discovering owr own’s identity
• The search for
personal identity
was the starting
point for us: there is
no integration
without a deep
understanding and
sincere respect for
our own
individuality.
Developing the theme of Integration…
• The focus was on the
importance of one’s own
uniqueness: not only
personal strengths: our
weaknesses, too!! These
can be a resource not
only a limit! We also
discussed the importance
of cooperation as a way
of making our potential
useful to other people.
Finding a way to understand each other
We used a variety of languages to talk about and
understand the topic of integration: in fact, we
really needed to experiment with different means
of communication in order to come into contact
with all students, above all, those with special
needs.
Integration through creativity
• Actually, using
alternative languages
such as music,
paintings and
literature could
facilitate the task.
Integration is… like an Impressionist’s picture
• While speculating on the
concepts of uniqueness and
integration, we observed a
picture by impressionist Monet
where, due to the technique
employed, each brush of paint
gives its own contribution of
harmony and beauty to the
picture as a whole, though
keeping its colour identity.
Integration is:
a class of students playing in an orchestra
A good class of students is like an orchestra playing a symphony:
whether you are playing the small triangle which only does: tin tin,
or the Jew’s harp with its: bloing bloing, what matters is that the
sound comes at the right moment, in the best possible way, so that
you make the best triangle or the perfect Jew’s harp, so that you feel
proud of the quality you are giving to the whole. Because the
pleasure produced by harmony makes all instruments progress, in the
end the small triangle will have experienced that melody, not exactly
in the same way as the first violin, but surely all players will enjoy the
very same music.
Translation of a passage from “School Blues” (2007) by writer Daniel
Pennac
A difficult question…
• How can we reconcile our own uniqueness
with social demands and teamwork? We
reflected on how a community - keeping
safe the individuality of each member - can
reach extraordinary goals thanks to
cooperation.
Building contexts for integration and cooperation
Only action and
experimentation could
help us find a solution!
We grouped the students
according to their
favourite interests and
organized 6 workshops:
Technology; Workshops
of vocal and body
expressivity; Manual and
artistic activities; Outdoor
activities; Music; Social
area activities.
The know-how of teamwork
Participants’ Preparatory ActivitiesIn order to create a relaxed and happy atmosphere in each group,
we organized a set of games and communicative activities. We
tried to reach the following objectives:
• know and introduce each other, foster introspection and
expressivity
• promote empathy, active listening, flexibility, open-mindedness,
sociability
• improve communication skills
• develop teamwork skills.
Time for Action – 2° YEAR OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Testing yourself in the working environment through
VOLUNTEER WORK in order to:
• Foster co-operation and negotiation;
• Develop self-confidence and awareness of their own
potential and limits;
• Apply competence to different contexts to get them
ready for future professional life.
Volunteer work: an opportunity
for growing and sharing.
“Scuola e volontariato”
A regional project
This year a volunteering project promoted by
local
institutions involving about 35 schools in Sardinia has
given students the opportunity to put themselves to test.
What better way to…
• Discover real-life contexts, different from
school, family and friends?
• Get a real work experience?
TRAINING SESSIONS
-
21 students were offered a 15-hour stage by 5 volunteer
associations working on:
Environmental care, with: LEGAMBIENTE;
First Aid ,with: MISERICORDIA;
Charity, with: CARITAS;
Support to children with Down syndrome, with:
CENTRO DOWN;
Clown therapy in children’s hospitals, with: V.I.P.-Vivi In
Positivo (live positively).
STAGE with Legambiente
Mount Arcosu WWF OASIS
STUDYING WILDLIFE
A LESSON ON POACHING
CARNIVAL TIME
AT
CENTRO DOWN
Stage with VIP volunteers
Becoming a clown is a serious thing!