European Identity - Individual, Group and Society - HumanitarianNet

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY IN THE SCHOOL ... 241orchestras, artists, craftsmen etc. Co-operation also has to be set upwith representatives of religious and/or spiritual communities as thiscan contribute to interfaith education. This is particularly important inmulticultural learning and local communities. Co-operation with all theassociations which color the civil society: associations in the field ofhuman rights, the protection of the environment, the integration ofhandicapped, the promotion of co-operation with the third world, etc.An enormous potential with great variety which can enrich the schoolactivities in the learning community. It would lead too far to mentionseveral of them but EFECOT 37 is a good example of such a Europeanassociation working in the field of the education of children of itinerantworkers and gypsies, very often disadvantaged groups.The police will be able to contribute to road safety education or toprevention of violence in schools. Hospitals will be able to contribute tohealth or sex education or to contribute to combat smoking or the takingof drugs. Artists and craftsmen will contribute to promote artisticeducation, museums and artists can contribute to promote culturalheritage education. The associations for the defense of consumerscontribute to consumer education and behavior. Associations of humanrights help to promote peace education For their part, school establishmentswill be able to open their doors and make their infrastructuresavailable to adults who want to learn for professional or personal reasons.Schools in learning communities should make available their rooms,infrastructure, equipment and know-how to the local learning communitymembers. Libraries will collaborate with those schools putting at theirdisposal their resources and infrastructure. Science museums will be able tocontribute to science education. Theatres, orchestras, drama groups mayhave different contributions; they can enhance cultural education on theone hand and on the other hand they can promote interest for the jobswhich are available to youngsters in their organizations. Moreover severalcultural organizations have activities towards disadvantaged groups whichcan be very inspiring. Representatives of companies and business, involvedin learning communities with schools, contribute to promote entrepreneurialskills of pupils or management skills of head and other membersof the school management team.The involvement of companies and associations in reflection on theacquisition of competences and skills, can lead to improved and jointactivities in this particular field.37EFECOT: European Federation for the Education of Children of TravellingProfessions (circus people, playground people and bargee people, gypsies…);http://www.efecot.be