MIT ONE - INTERVIEW
Topic:Why do people become radicalized?
Mentor Teacher:Rosanna Torsello
Interviewer: Stagona Ioanna, Greece
Interviewee: Michael Legakis, Professor of Philosophy.
(Web tools used: Oxford dictionary, Google translate)
INTRODUCTION: We live in a world where radicalization and extremism are at their "best". Radicalized perceptions and racist behaviors characterize a large proportion of the planet, and their effects are often irreversible. As part of our program, we wanted to interview our professor in order to hear his thoughts and answers on this issue.
-“Where and how do you think the racial and racist attitudes were created?”
-“The first thing you have to look at is the rage which is produced by social injustice and the chronic politics of the western world towards the Muslim countries of the Middle East; to start with, poverty and social exclusion. Marginalized children who feel like they have no prospect, that they don't fit in this world and that this world does not match their dreams, are really angry. And so they become prone to calls of people who, speaking in the name of revenge, give them a political target, a social role and individual dignity. Particularly children of Muslim families living in Europe as minorities are marginalized because of their poverty and ethnic origin. So they are not entitled to the same dreams as other children, they see “closed doors” everywhere, they feel like waste, and that's why they are much angrier. Therefore, the religious leader who will invite them to avenge in the name of Allah will give them back not only their personal but also their cultural pride.
The reason of these propagandists is reinforced or "legitimized" by the policy that the Western states (and above all the US) use to have for decades facing the Middle East countries. Israel's provocative support despite the crimes that has committed (and continues to commit) against the Palestinians, as well as the repeated invasions of the IRAQ since 1990, have brutally invaded Arab nationalism and have stimulated the cycle of violence that continues until today. In addition, the unspeakable support of the Muslim children of the Taliban in the Afghan war against the Soviets, as well as today's Saudi Arabia, the most complete and religious state of the world, has "breathed the egg of the Islamist fascist" , which threatens to “bite” us.
Finally, the major cause is the huge ideological gap that left the collapse of the left wing, which represented the great mundane dreams of the poor, their hope for a fair world, equal rights and prospects. This ideological and political vacuum has come to cover religion and nationalism. New children and adults searching for answers, and above all a life goal, a vision, a prospect of coming out of their miserable life, turn to God, whom they treat as a punishment and vengeance. As a result, they become an easy game in the hands of any alleged religious authority.”
-“Does this situation scare you?”
-“Yes, it scares me both personally and socially-politically. I do not know whether there is any real danger of some sort of fundamentalist dictatorship being imposed in today's world. It seems that an attempt to create a criminal state like ISIS has no hope of survival. But what scares me more is its political counterparts on a global level. It is the effect that exerts in the whole political life and in the consciousness of the people in the West and East. ISIS may have left the frame, but a large part of the Middle East population has been irrevocably conservative. Just a few decades before this entire region were governed by secular Ba'ath regimes. Today, on the contrary, it is dominated by political Islam. The entire political geography has been moved to the right, with religion and intolerance leading, sometimes taking even criminal dimensions (as in the case of the Taliban or ISIS). The same happens in Europe, as there is an upsurge in the xenophobic, racist and even neo-Nazi extreme right, which in some countries also holds the prime minister (such as in Hungary or Austria). There may not be any dictatorship, but we see a non-stopped continued hardening of measures against immigrants and minorities in general and an intensity of racist or nationalist rhetoric. The political face of Europe is getting more and more the black color of ISIS, but at the same time it takes on the old style of the white-collar colonel who overthrows the "uncivilized" third-person.”
-“Have you ever cancelled a trip because of the terrorist attacks that have been observed?
Traveling now to Europe, especially when it involves children, has its risk. This is a victory for these movements that have brought terror to the heart of Europe. I'm afraid for my children, not for me, I've planned a trip, but I’m still thinking about it seriously. Perhaps if I was alone and I didn't have children I wouldn't have that stress. But now it is always on my mind.”
- “As a teacher, have you ever met radicalized students with extremist views or behaviors?”
- “I have encountered students with far-right, Nazi views in various cities I have taught. I remember when I was a professor in an area of Athens where the "Golden Dawn", the largest neo-Nazi organization in Greece, had a great deal of power; I had met several children with such perceptions. I had even been threatened by a schoolgirl (a member of the Golden Dawn) and her father that they would take me to court, but it didn't happen. On the other hand, I have also met a student who was formerly far-right and has now completely changed, participates in various organizations and fights for human rights.”
- “Do you think that racism and radicalization can be eliminated gradually? And if so, how can this be accomplished?”
- “The first responsibility goes to the state, Europe. It should develop zero-level policies, as it's possible, and raise the standard of living for all citizens. Furthermore, it has to accept and integrate minorities in its society by treating them with equity and justice and not in a racist way. As a result, those marginalized citizens will have feelings of love instead of hate for their country of residence and will have no reason to develop terrorist behaviors in the future as revenge. Also, in the school environment, teachers have to talk to children and discuss issues of social and political relevance that concern them without fear of being exposed. They shouldn't behave as sterile and fearful civil servants looking forward to finish their lesson and nothing more, but as integral social beings who share the same anxieties and hopes for the world with the young children. They should be able to perceive the position of children from the disadvantaged social backgrounds (refugees, immigrants, foreigners, the poor, etc.) and provide them with all the support they need, and even overcome the barriers imposed on them by the state itself. Only in this way will these children escape from the cycle of hate and learn to appreciate democracy and tolerance; when they find an equal position for themselves.”
12th Team
Topic:Humanitarian Values
Mentor Teacher:Nancy Gkiotli
Interviewer: Ege Karnfil
Yusuf Kutay Doruk (Turkey)
Interviewee: Meryem Koçak,Biology Teacher
Q1:What do you think about the humanitarian values?
I think they are the values such as respect,love,justice,tolerance ,freedom and self-sacrifice that make anyone a real human.
Q2:What do the the promoting humanitarian values gain us?
We can live together as long as we preserve those values.We can be powerful against the illegal forces.The fundemental humanitarian values can be the rule of living together in the world.
Q3:Why do the terror groups take aim at these common values?
As I said if those values hold us together,they think it will be easy to destroy the people attacking those common values.
4th Team
Topic:Why do people become polarized?
Interviewee:Ali Orhan Günaydın,PE Teacher
Interviewer:Yağmur Böğürcü
Mentor: Nancy Gkiotli
Just Click on the subtitle
6th Team
Topic:How to Overcome Cultural Stereotyping
Interviewee:Ergün Yüce,assistant principal
Interviewers:Naime Şerife Esen,Nida Nur Üngör
Mentor: Ewa Druzbalska Kopka
Question 1:What is the role of stereotyped thougths in shaping the relationship of individual and society?Can you define it?
First we need to look at the word ”steretype”It means to repeat already knows facts which lost its orginality.Having a stereotyped ideas remains as an obstacle before the develeopment of the society.If the individuals accept this situation as a negative situation and has a wish of avoding from those ideas it really helps to pay way for the development of the societies.Toachieve this we need to promote the habit of reading.On behalf of our country, this problem has been realized and attempts have been done to create awareness of this problem through different kinds of activities or competitions to recah a larger community.
Question 2.What can be done in order to overcome the prejudices against other people or countries?
Prejudices are the stereotyped attitudes or thoughts which people have against other people or groups.Prejudices are generally negative.Both people and the societies have certain prejedujes.People in the society have certain bias or cliched thoughts.Nowadays there is bias ttowards the refugees in some societies.Prejeduces were not created in a single day.In fact,they converted to a general idea about others by passing down from generation to generation.The best way of overcoming the prejeduices or stereotyped ideas is to clearly emerge the attitudes,thoughts or beliefs which leads to prejeduiced and questions them and try to have true knowledge about others and questions.We need to question ourselves as Socrates said”The unexamined life is not worth living.”
3.Does stereotype ideas about other societies lead discirmination between the different societies.What are the negative effect od stereotype thoughts on people and soceieties.
It would be really hard to expect from the prejudiced people to understand others.If those bias ideas seem to sperad nation-wide level thenit would be even harder to cope with it.Having prejediced thoyhs are the main obstacles fort he people to undertand and comunicate each other healthfully.In this kind of socieites,love is hindered and hatred is stired up.People never develop empathy towards tohers and even don’t accept to have the same thoughts with others.
The Connection between Radicalisation and Terrorism - interview with Ms Anna Smater Nagraba, history and current affairs teacher at Zespół Szkół nr 1 in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland; by Natalia Chromińska and Natalia Szuba
1 What is your opinion about radicalization and how is it different from terrorism?
Terrorism is a corollary of radicalization, while radicalization is an intensification of extreme phenomena nationalistic as well as culturally or religiously. Terrorism is a form of implementing or imposing radicalism in the world.
2. What do you think (radicalization or terrorism) is more visible in the world? Why?
Terrorism as a form and manifestation of radicalization is much more visible in the world. Terrorism is not only what we see, e.g. bombing, using cars to attack people, that is, famous situations from Berlin or Nice but also cyber terrorism. There is relatively little talk of this yet, but these terrorist actions are definitely more visible than radicalization itself.
3 Can radicalization cause terrorism?
Of course. Terrorism is about radicalization, so it cannot take another form. If people want to compromise to cooperate, it is not radical. Radicalization is when they set the path and see no other concessions, only terrorism is the achievement of the goal. Ruthlessly radicalization is the cause of terrorism.
5. Are you afraid that you may be the target of a terrorist attack?
No. Although I am aware that using the computer will always be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. I think that in our country there are no such moods that I would be exposed to attack in the sense of a bomb attack.
6. Are you afraid of the dangers of radicalization?
Yes, the same risks related with radicalization are more visible, because these are not just attacks, it is not only terrorism. It is a negative perception of dependence, automatic exclusion of tolerance. It can be presented in any field, including fighting, hair colour, and dressing. This can occur in Poland.
Twinspace interview by Marcello Lezzi to teacher of I.T. M. L. Pietramala
Why do people become radicalised?
I think that it is a very complicated process. It does not have a single motive, a single face, I mean you can find radicalisation in different contexts. You find poor people radicalised and you find midle-class people radicalised. You find radicalisation among people with low education, but you find it even in people with high education. So it’s difficult to understand what are really the causes of radicalisation.
Thinking of real prevention is difficult. I mean, radicalised people usually are socially isolated, they have just one group as a reference for their life, so they get information just inside a single group, so may be having different voices, different ideas, in a society and giving room to different ideas can be a way of preventing radicalisation. But it’s not enough, I mean it’s just a way.
Radicalised people often come from an unsuspectable environment there are families that are really integrated in the society and there comes their son that is a radical, or may be he is a terrorist.
How to prevent this social behaviour? I don’t know, it’s above my understanding.
I think that interesting young people in big positive ideals is a means to prevent their radicalisation, and it’s a means for gaining, for them, a productive and happy life. Because, when someone radicalises, instantly his horizon becomes narrower and his possibility of achieving personal and social happiness becomes less and less probable.
So, interesting young people in the lives of their peers, of the other young people, is important, and it is important to help them living in a context that is rich in people and ideas.
That’s what I think. I think that is the only way to prevent radicalisation. Do not let the young people go for a single group, go for a single idea, but present them with an ample array of possibilities. I also think it’s necessary to expose young people to ideas of every kind and every tendency. Because, when you limit your ideas, you open the doors to radicalisation.
Twinspace interview with Mrs. Sarinelli, teacher of Italian at Fermi School
by Nachira Francesca and Vetere Gaia
1 - Why is it important to learn to respect other cultures?
Because they represent opportunities for discussion and dialogue and, therefore, growth.
2 - What prevents us from considering strangers worth of respect?
Mainly, there are two resons:
the first is prejudice, the sneaky danger of considering different people as being inferior:
the second is the closed mentality, that sees the stranger as a thief of other’s rights.
3 - Is it important to learn to pay mutual respect?
Of course. Respect is at the basis of interpersonal relationships and it should never fail, not even among individuals of the same nationality. In a school environment, we see that if the school is inclusive and welcoming, it manages to promote the values of solidarity and of dignity of the person
and sees diversity as a treasure. These are democratic values that are reminded us also by article 3 of our constitution: “ All citizens have the same social dignity without distinction of sex, race, language, religion. […] It is the task of the Republic to remove the economic and social obstacles, that limit, as a matter of fact, the freedom and the equality of citizens […].
4 - Is it easy for a foreign boy to integrate in the host society?
It is easy if, as I said before, the schools are welcoming and inclusive. If the school and the society respect the values of pluralism and democracy, integration is easier. Because nowadays it is impossible to think of a society still full of prejudices and mentally closed.
5 - Is it better a closed society or a multiethnic one?
A multiethnic one, obviously. Because it widens our horizons, it opens our minds. I repeat that society must see diversity as a value, only in this way pacific cohabitation is possible.
INTERVIEW I by Stergios Margiolas – GREECE
MIT TEN
Topic:Raising intercultural understanding
Mentor:Marian Luca
INTERVIEW II
Tzintziloglou Irene, Greece, member of the 6th team.
This is an interview about the extremely significant issue of cultural stereotyping. The interviewee is my principal, Mrs Sachinidou Maria, who is also my professor at the lesson of Ancient Greek Language. The questions and the answers will be presented below:
INTERVIEW III
by Aphroditi Stefanidou - GREECE
Interviewee: Maria Peristeropoulou, Greek Philologist
MIT SIX
Topic: How to Overcome Cultural Stereotyping
Mentor: Ewa Druzbalska Kopka
Topic:Why do people become radicalized?
Mentor Teacher:Rosanna Torsello
Interviewer: Stagona Ioanna, Greece
Interviewee: Michael Legakis, Professor of Philosophy.
(Web tools used: Oxford dictionary, Google translate)
INTRODUCTION: We live in a world where radicalization and extremism are at their "best". Radicalized perceptions and racist behaviors characterize a large proportion of the planet, and their effects are often irreversible. As part of our program, we wanted to interview our professor in order to hear his thoughts and answers on this issue.
-“Where and how do you think the racial and racist attitudes were created?”
-“The first thing you have to look at is the rage which is produced by social injustice and the chronic politics of the western world towards the Muslim countries of the Middle East; to start with, poverty and social exclusion. Marginalized children who feel like they have no prospect, that they don't fit in this world and that this world does not match their dreams, are really angry. And so they become prone to calls of people who, speaking in the name of revenge, give them a political target, a social role and individual dignity. Particularly children of Muslim families living in Europe as minorities are marginalized because of their poverty and ethnic origin. So they are not entitled to the same dreams as other children, they see “closed doors” everywhere, they feel like waste, and that's why they are much angrier. Therefore, the religious leader who will invite them to avenge in the name of Allah will give them back not only their personal but also their cultural pride.
The reason of these propagandists is reinforced or "legitimized" by the policy that the Western states (and above all the US) use to have for decades facing the Middle East countries. Israel's provocative support despite the crimes that has committed (and continues to commit) against the Palestinians, as well as the repeated invasions of the IRAQ since 1990, have brutally invaded Arab nationalism and have stimulated the cycle of violence that continues until today. In addition, the unspeakable support of the Muslim children of the Taliban in the Afghan war against the Soviets, as well as today's Saudi Arabia, the most complete and religious state of the world, has "breathed the egg of the Islamist fascist" , which threatens to “bite” us.
Finally, the major cause is the huge ideological gap that left the collapse of the left wing, which represented the great mundane dreams of the poor, their hope for a fair world, equal rights and prospects. This ideological and political vacuum has come to cover religion and nationalism. New children and adults searching for answers, and above all a life goal, a vision, a prospect of coming out of their miserable life, turn to God, whom they treat as a punishment and vengeance. As a result, they become an easy game in the hands of any alleged religious authority.”
-“Does this situation scare you?”
-“Yes, it scares me both personally and socially-politically. I do not know whether there is any real danger of some sort of fundamentalist dictatorship being imposed in today's world. It seems that an attempt to create a criminal state like ISIS has no hope of survival. But what scares me more is its political counterparts on a global level. It is the effect that exerts in the whole political life and in the consciousness of the people in the West and East. ISIS may have left the frame, but a large part of the Middle East population has been irrevocably conservative. Just a few decades before this entire region were governed by secular Ba'ath regimes. Today, on the contrary, it is dominated by political Islam. The entire political geography has been moved to the right, with religion and intolerance leading, sometimes taking even criminal dimensions (as in the case of the Taliban or ISIS). The same happens in Europe, as there is an upsurge in the xenophobic, racist and even neo-Nazi extreme right, which in some countries also holds the prime minister (such as in Hungary or Austria). There may not be any dictatorship, but we see a non-stopped continued hardening of measures against immigrants and minorities in general and an intensity of racist or nationalist rhetoric. The political face of Europe is getting more and more the black color of ISIS, but at the same time it takes on the old style of the white-collar colonel who overthrows the "uncivilized" third-person.”
-“Have you ever cancelled a trip because of the terrorist attacks that have been observed?
Traveling now to Europe, especially when it involves children, has its risk. This is a victory for these movements that have brought terror to the heart of Europe. I'm afraid for my children, not for me, I've planned a trip, but I’m still thinking about it seriously. Perhaps if I was alone and I didn't have children I wouldn't have that stress. But now it is always on my mind.”
- “As a teacher, have you ever met radicalized students with extremist views or behaviors?”
- “I have encountered students with far-right, Nazi views in various cities I have taught. I remember when I was a professor in an area of Athens where the "Golden Dawn", the largest neo-Nazi organization in Greece, had a great deal of power; I had met several children with such perceptions. I had even been threatened by a schoolgirl (a member of the Golden Dawn) and her father that they would take me to court, but it didn't happen. On the other hand, I have also met a student who was formerly far-right and has now completely changed, participates in various organizations and fights for human rights.”
- “Do you think that racism and radicalization can be eliminated gradually? And if so, how can this be accomplished?”
- “The first responsibility goes to the state, Europe. It should develop zero-level policies, as it's possible, and raise the standard of living for all citizens. Furthermore, it has to accept and integrate minorities in its society by treating them with equity and justice and not in a racist way. As a result, those marginalized citizens will have feelings of love instead of hate for their country of residence and will have no reason to develop terrorist behaviors in the future as revenge. Also, in the school environment, teachers have to talk to children and discuss issues of social and political relevance that concern them without fear of being exposed. They shouldn't behave as sterile and fearful civil servants looking forward to finish their lesson and nothing more, but as integral social beings who share the same anxieties and hopes for the world with the young children. They should be able to perceive the position of children from the disadvantaged social backgrounds (refugees, immigrants, foreigners, the poor, etc.) and provide them with all the support they need, and even overcome the barriers imposed on them by the state itself. Only in this way will these children escape from the cycle of hate and learn to appreciate democracy and tolerance; when they find an equal position for themselves.”
12th Team
Topic:Humanitarian Values
Mentor Teacher:Nancy Gkiotli
Interviewer: Ege Karnfil
Yusuf Kutay Doruk (Turkey)
Interviewee: Meryem Koçak,Biology Teacher
Q1:What do you think about the humanitarian values?
I think they are the values such as respect,love,justice,tolerance ,freedom and self-sacrifice that make anyone a real human.
Q2:What do the the promoting humanitarian values gain us?
We can live together as long as we preserve those values.We can be powerful against the illegal forces.The fundemental humanitarian values can be the rule of living together in the world.
Q3:Why do the terror groups take aim at these common values?
As I said if those values hold us together,they think it will be easy to destroy the people attacking those common values.
4th Team
Topic:Why do people become polarized?
Interviewee:Ali Orhan Günaydın,PE Teacher
Interviewer:Yağmur Böğürcü
Mentor: Nancy Gkiotli
Just Click on the subtitle
6th Team
Topic:How to Overcome Cultural Stereotyping
Interviewee:Ergün Yüce,assistant principal
Interviewers:Naime Şerife Esen,Nida Nur Üngör
Mentor: Ewa Druzbalska Kopka
Question 1:What is the role of stereotyped thougths in shaping the relationship of individual and society?Can you define it?
First we need to look at the word ”steretype”It means to repeat already knows facts which lost its orginality.Having a stereotyped ideas remains as an obstacle before the develeopment of the society.If the individuals accept this situation as a negative situation and has a wish of avoding from those ideas it really helps to pay way for the development of the societies.Toachieve this we need to promote the habit of reading.On behalf of our country, this problem has been realized and attempts have been done to create awareness of this problem through different kinds of activities or competitions to recah a larger community.
Question 2.What can be done in order to overcome the prejudices against other people or countries?
Prejudices are the stereotyped attitudes or thoughts which people have against other people or groups.Prejudices are generally negative.Both people and the societies have certain prejedujes.People in the society have certain bias or cliched thoughts.Nowadays there is bias ttowards the refugees in some societies.Prejeduces were not created in a single day.In fact,they converted to a general idea about others by passing down from generation to generation.The best way of overcoming the prejeduices or stereotyped ideas is to clearly emerge the attitudes,thoughts or beliefs which leads to prejeduiced and questions them and try to have true knowledge about others and questions.We need to question ourselves as Socrates said”The unexamined life is not worth living.”
3.Does stereotype ideas about other societies lead discirmination between the different societies.What are the negative effect od stereotype thoughts on people and soceieties.
It would be really hard to expect from the prejudiced people to understand others.If those bias ideas seem to sperad nation-wide level thenit would be even harder to cope with it.Having prejediced thoyhs are the main obstacles fort he people to undertand and comunicate each other healthfully.In this kind of socieites,love is hindered and hatred is stired up.People never develop empathy towards tohers and even don’t accept to have the same thoughts with others.
The Connection between Radicalisation and Terrorism - interview with Ms Anna Smater Nagraba, history and current affairs teacher at Zespół Szkół nr 1 in Mińsk Mazowiecki, Poland; by Natalia Chromińska and Natalia Szuba
1 What is your opinion about radicalization and how is it different from terrorism?
Terrorism is a corollary of radicalization, while radicalization is an intensification of extreme phenomena nationalistic as well as culturally or religiously. Terrorism is a form of implementing or imposing radicalism in the world.
2. What do you think (radicalization or terrorism) is more visible in the world? Why?
Terrorism as a form and manifestation of radicalization is much more visible in the world. Terrorism is not only what we see, e.g. bombing, using cars to attack people, that is, famous situations from Berlin or Nice but also cyber terrorism. There is relatively little talk of this yet, but these terrorist actions are definitely more visible than radicalization itself.
3 Can radicalization cause terrorism?
Of course. Terrorism is about radicalization, so it cannot take another form. If people want to compromise to cooperate, it is not radical. Radicalization is when they set the path and see no other concessions, only terrorism is the achievement of the goal. Ruthlessly radicalization is the cause of terrorism.
5. Are you afraid that you may be the target of a terrorist attack?
No. Although I am aware that using the computer will always be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. I think that in our country there are no such moods that I would be exposed to attack in the sense of a bomb attack.
6. Are you afraid of the dangers of radicalization?
Yes, the same risks related with radicalization are more visible, because these are not just attacks, it is not only terrorism. It is a negative perception of dependence, automatic exclusion of tolerance. It can be presented in any field, including fighting, hair colour, and dressing. This can occur in Poland.
Twinspace interview by Marcello Lezzi to teacher of I.T. M. L. Pietramala
Why do people become radicalised?
I think that it is a very complicated process. It does not have a single motive, a single face, I mean you can find radicalisation in different contexts. You find poor people radicalised and you find midle-class people radicalised. You find radicalisation among people with low education, but you find it even in people with high education. So it’s difficult to understand what are really the causes of radicalisation.
Thinking of real prevention is difficult. I mean, radicalised people usually are socially isolated, they have just one group as a reference for their life, so they get information just inside a single group, so may be having different voices, different ideas, in a society and giving room to different ideas can be a way of preventing radicalisation. But it’s not enough, I mean it’s just a way.
Radicalised people often come from an unsuspectable environment there are families that are really integrated in the society and there comes their son that is a radical, or may be he is a terrorist.
How to prevent this social behaviour? I don’t know, it’s above my understanding.
I think that interesting young people in big positive ideals is a means to prevent their radicalisation, and it’s a means for gaining, for them, a productive and happy life. Because, when someone radicalises, instantly his horizon becomes narrower and his possibility of achieving personal and social happiness becomes less and less probable.
So, interesting young people in the lives of their peers, of the other young people, is important, and it is important to help them living in a context that is rich in people and ideas.
That’s what I think. I think that is the only way to prevent radicalisation. Do not let the young people go for a single group, go for a single idea, but present them with an ample array of possibilities. I also think it’s necessary to expose young people to ideas of every kind and every tendency. Because, when you limit your ideas, you open the doors to radicalisation.
Twinspace interview with Mrs. Sarinelli, teacher of Italian at Fermi School
by Nachira Francesca and Vetere Gaia
1 - Why is it important to learn to respect other cultures?
Because they represent opportunities for discussion and dialogue and, therefore, growth.
2 - What prevents us from considering strangers worth of respect?
Mainly, there are two resons:
the first is prejudice, the sneaky danger of considering different people as being inferior:
the second is the closed mentality, that sees the stranger as a thief of other’s rights.
3 - Is it important to learn to pay mutual respect?
Of course. Respect is at the basis of interpersonal relationships and it should never fail, not even among individuals of the same nationality. In a school environment, we see that if the school is inclusive and welcoming, it manages to promote the values of solidarity and of dignity of the person
and sees diversity as a treasure. These are democratic values that are reminded us also by article 3 of our constitution: “ All citizens have the same social dignity without distinction of sex, race, language, religion. […] It is the task of the Republic to remove the economic and social obstacles, that limit, as a matter of fact, the freedom and the equality of citizens […].
4 - Is it easy for a foreign boy to integrate in the host society?
It is easy if, as I said before, the schools are welcoming and inclusive. If the school and the society respect the values of pluralism and democracy, integration is easier. Because nowadays it is impossible to think of a society still full of prejudices and mentally closed.
5 - Is it better a closed society or a multiethnic one?
A multiethnic one, obviously. Because it widens our horizons, it opens our minds. I repeat that society must see diversity as a value, only in this way pacific cohabitation is possible.
INTERVIEW I by Stergios Margiolas – GREECE
MIT TEN
Topic:Raising intercultural understanding
Mentor:Marian Luca
- What do you think intercultural understanding means?
- Have you ever bothered to get informed about other cultures? If yes, for which one?
- Do you believe it is a way for people to come closer and to promote understanding among different cultures? Are there other ways? Which ones?
- Could some habits of other people and cultures become part of your everyday life?
- Are you in favor or against it and for which reason?
INTERVIEW II
Tzintziloglou Irene, Greece, member of the 6th team.
This is an interview about the extremely significant issue of cultural stereotyping. The interviewee is my principal, Mrs Sachinidou Maria, who is also my professor at the lesson of Ancient Greek Language. The questions and the answers will be presented below:
- Do you think that cultural stereotyping exists in our societies?
- To your way of thinking, which groups of people are most vulnerable to stereotyping?
- How do you think we can stop Cultural Stereotyping?
- Have you ever been stereotyped?
- Can cultural stereotyping be good in some occasions? How? And if not, why not?
- I would like to thank you for your time, your help and your willingness. I hope cultural stereotyping will someday completely vanish.
INTERVIEW III
by Aphroditi Stefanidou - GREECE
Interviewee: Maria Peristeropoulou, Greek Philologist
MIT SIX
Topic: How to Overcome Cultural Stereotyping
Mentor: Ewa Druzbalska Kopka
- What does cultural stereotyping mean to you?
- What do you think we can do to prevent that?
- In your opinion, what do you think causes one to start stereotyping one another?
- Do you think parents know if their child could be going through a hard time at school because of stereotyping? Why?
- Why do people of different cultures, races etc. suffer from stereotyping?