Methodology and geography
Methodology
We chose a participatory approach related to both the working and the evaluation methods. The three angles of the project were: education/training, arts/creativity and technology. The training methodology was multidimensional, interactive and creative. It was based on a constructivist, learner-centred approach addressing not only cognitive but also emotional and social dimensions. Art, especially music, was the element which made this intercultural learning project specific compared to others. Technology played a significant role for the facilitation of the communication between the partners and for the documentation of the project on the DVD and website.
Regional focus
The project involved organisations from the following five countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, FYR Macedonia and Serbia. These countries were chosen in July 2006 because of the following reasons:
- We wanted to achieve an approximate balance of EU countries, pre-accession states and non-member states.
- The five countries share common history and identities which are reflected in many cultural similarities regarding religious practices, food, literature and especially music.
- While they are neighbouring countries, their mutual relationships are partly characterised by conflicts arising from their history and the status of ethnic and religious minorities.
- Cyprus, FYR Macedonia and Serbia have recently been affected by armed conflicts whereas conflictual relations between majority and minority population are also an issue in Bulgaria and Greece.
