What are the main stereotypes and prejudices that EU emigrants face in their countries/communities? How can we combat stereotypes and promote European citizenship? These questions were addressed at the meeting of the European - Local Citizens project, funded by the European Commission under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. The meeting took place in the municipality of Vizela (Portugal) on 6 March. It was attended by all European project partners as well as local participants, bringing together more than 50 people.
Filipe Costa, Senior Youth Technician of the Vizela Municipality and coordinator of the workshop, opened the event with a brief introduction to the topic and presented the day's programme.
Antonio Faria, the Councilor for Youth of Vizela, welcomed the partners at the city hall and emphasized that Europe is “at a crucial moment where we need to reflect on the values we want for Europe: a Europe based on democracy, justice, and human rights.” He added that this project has been a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and promote the exchange of experiences by working directly with our international partners.
Fernando Vieira, The President of Educpro, highlighted the historical foundation of the European Union and the role of the Maastricht Treaty in shaping a Europe based on cooperation and shared values. He noted that "the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for the European Union, was a bold step toward a Europe of peace, cooperation, and shared values. It envisions a union where all citizens, regardless of their background or heritage, can enjoy the rights, freedoms, and opportunities that come with EU citizenship."
“If you want to really know and understand someone, don’t ask them where they come from; ask about their preferences and what they like in life,” noted George Gkousgounis, a young Greek citizen who has lived in Vizela for the past two years. He shared his experience, adding that "The Portuguese people have always welcomed me very well, and I felt included in the community. However, I noticed that the realities of the two countries are quite distinct, despite the common misperception that they are very similar."
The most exciting part of the event was when students from the S. Bento school of Vizela presented interviews with their classmates, many of whom came from different countries. The interviewed students agreed that adaptation takes time. Despite the difficulties, they recognized that in Portugal, they feel secure and can have financial and personal opportunities.
Afterwards, the participants exchanged views in the plenary on the different stereotypes of European nationalities. Then, they broke into four working groups to further discuss the impact of stereotypes on our lives and ways to challenge them.
Some proposals that emerged from the working groups included increasing European projects that promote exchanges, such as Erasmus+, supporting organizations that actively work against stereotypes, strengthening the engagement of EU mobile citizens in local democracy, and promoting critical thinking so that we can better identify stereotypes. A key takeaway was the slogan "You are different, and that's OK!", which encapsulated the main conclusion of the discussions.
Miquel Barros, Project Manager of EducPro, closed the event by emphasizing the importance of fighting stereotypes and promoting European citizenship.
Through this event, the partners of the project "European Local Citizens" reaffirmed their commitment to promoting European values and fostering inclusive societies across Europe. By addressing stereotypes and encouraging active citizenship, the project contributes to a more tolerant and united Europe.
After the meeting, the participants had the opportunity to enjoy a tour of the city of Vizela and dined together at a local restaurant.
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