The pedagogical approach of this programme is based on the previous experience of the partners, the success of previous programmes we used, but also recent research that the team did on the manifestations and perceptions of European and refugee young people with respect to the cultural differences between the two.

At the core of the pedagogical approach lies a model developed by Louise Derman-Sparks for being used in anti-bias education. As a preschool teacher at the Perry Preschool Project, child-care centre director, human development faculty member at Pacific Oaks College, and activist, Louise Derman-Sparks has worked for over 50 years on issues of diversity and social justice. She is author and co-author of several articles and books, including “Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves”, and “What if All the Kids are White? Anti-Bias/Multicultural Education for Young Children and Families”.

E.P.T.O. network members have used this model with thousands of youngsters from Europe and beyond by implementing the "A world of difference" programme. Developed by the Anti-Defamation League (www.adl.org) in the United States of America, the programme provides resources that youth-workers can use to help participants:

• Recognize bias and the harm it inflicts on individuals and society
• Build understanding of the value and benefits of diversity
• Improve intergroup relations
• Confront racism, anti-Semitism and all other forms of bigotry

The programme represents the main inspiration for the network in developing our toolkits that focus on specific forms of discrimination, including Peers for Integration.

Following extensive research on the topic of inclusion of refugees in societies of the European Union, the partners identified a set of key topics to be approached, in order to ensure a significant and durable transformation of the beneficiaries. Among these, we count:

• Religious diversity
• Intercultural awareness and acceptance
• Empathy
• Media literacy
• Privilege and multiple discrimination
• Personal and group steps for taking social action

The pedagogical approach is designed as a learning journey, with several steps to achieve and for each of the steps with several methods that, facilitated by the peer trainers, create the experiences that can be used to develop the necessary competencies of the participants.