Intercultural education programmes have been promoted in Portugal to make students aware of the importance of other cultures and of the dialogue with them.
Some examples:
The Mus-e Project: this is a multi-cultural educational project, international in scope, developed in a disadvantaged social environment, by the Portugal Menuhin Association (supported by the Ministry of Education). Its objectives are artistic, educational and social. It was first implemented in Portugal in the 1996-1997 school years and covers a very small number of state primary schools.
The European “All Different, All the Same” campaign was promoted by the Ministry of Education in 2006 and 2007. Its focus was on school sports activities, on increasing awareness in the school environment by means of the Living Human Rights project, publishing and distributing books and leaflets, and activities related to human rights, participation and diversity – exhibitions, meetings, debates, theatrical shows, music, dance, etc. Meetings with teachers and others were arranged on Children’s Day to identify good practice in connection with integrating pupils from the gypsy community – the “Build Bridges, Talk About Us” project.
In connection with the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, in 2007 a competition was held under the banner “My School Against Discrimination”.
The Ministry of Education provides specialist language learning support to those whose mother-tongue is not Portuguese (with the possibility of providing tutors and involvement in specific projects).
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