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Description
The aim of the project is to increase awareness of Estonian schoolchildren about the causes of (forced) migration and the challenges that refugees and people with a migration background face while adapting and integrating in a new country. During the project, at least 240 schoolchildren from 12 different schools will have a chance to play the board game about adaptation and integration called “Diamond Island”, followed by a discussion on (forced) migration, adaptation, and integration in the classroom. Based on the experience gained, a methodological guide will be developed that schoolteachers and youth workers can use in their work in the future. The instructions for making a board game and the methodological guide will be uploaded to the Estonian Refugee Council website and to the e-schoolbag, so that developed materials will be available for everyone. 45 schoolteachers and youth workers will be trained, so they will be able to conduct similar game sessions after the end of the project. As a result of the project, schoolchildren''s attitudes towards refugees and people with a different migration background will improve and their understanding about the role of individuals in the adaptation and integration of immigrants will increase.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the increasing migration trends in Estonian society, focusing on the importance of informing and educating the receiving society, including young people, about the challenges that immigrants face when adapting to life in Estonia. Additionally, the project aimed to raise awareness about the role of the receiving society in supporting the integration and adaptation of refugees and migrants.
It was essential to create situations where discussions about integration could take place. These discussions help foster empathy and increase understanding of people from different cultural backgrounds, as well as the barriers and opportunities related to their inclusion in Estonian society. The project sought to inform Estonian schoolchildren about migration processes, engage them in thinking about how to promote integration, and support their peers in feeling welcome. Teachers and youth workers were also equipped with the skills and tools necessary to involve young people in discussions on these topics.
The main objective of the project was to increase knowledge and improve young people''s attitudes towards individuals with refugee or migrant backgrounds, contributing to smoother integration processes and social cohesion.
The project included several key activities aimed at fostering awareness and understanding of migration and refugee integration among young people.
A central element of the project was the creation of a board game called Teemantsaar, designed as a practical tool to enhance players’ knowledge of migration-related issues. The game employs an innovative approach, linking integration challenges to relatable everyday experiences, sparking interactive discussions that extend beyond gameplay into the classroom and beyond.
The project involved visits to 13 different schools, where Teemantsaar was played with nearly 600 students—far exceeding the initial target of 240 students. The game sessions were well received by both students and teachers.
During guest lessons, students were encouraged to reflect on migration and integration issues. Notably, after playing the game and engaging in discussions, a greater number of students expressed a more positive stance toward these topics compared to their initial attitudes. The methodology used and subsequent data analysis suggest that Teemantsaar contributes to raising awareness of integration challenges and helps participants recognize their potential role in facilitating social inclusion.
Before and after playing the game, students participated in an association exercise, where they were asked to name a word that came to mind when thinking of the term “refugee.”
- Before the game, responses included words like war, camp, sadness, and hardships in conflict zones.
- After the game, students introduced new associations such as new beginnings, new friends, opportunities, humanity, and someone in need of help.
This shift indicates that the game helped students develop a more nuanced understanding of the personal challenges faced by immigrants and their potential role in the integration process.
In collaboration with an education expert, a methodological guide was developed for educators. This guide provides an overview of how to play Teemantsaar, explains its objectives, and offers recommendations for using the game in various formal and informal educational settings.
These activities contributed to the project’s goal of increasing knowledge and improving young people''s attitudes towards individuals with refugee or migrant backgrounds.
The main output of the project was a board game about adaptation and integration called Teemantsaar (Diamond Island). It is a practical tool for increasing players'' knowledge of issues related to migration and refugee integration. The game takes a novel approach of linking examples of integration issues with relatable issues from the everyday lives of its players, starting interactive discussion that extends into the classroom and beyond. During the project period over 600 students played the game. To date the game has been recognized as an educational tool and good practice on European Commission’s European Website on Integration.
During the project period, over 600 students played the game, significantly surpassing the initial target. Participants provided positive written and verbal feedback on the training sessions, highlighting the well-structured format, the balance between theoretical and practical components, and the engaging nature of Teemantsaar. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet and interact with an individual with a refugee background, as one of the project’s co-trainers was integration expert Celal Yildirim. During brainstorming sessions, participants proposed various ways to incorporate the game into their educational settings, including international cultural evenings and activities involving parents. These ideas were integrated into the methodological guide to support educators in using the material effectively.
Pagulasabi continues to systematically disseminate the Teemantsaar materials, which are freely accessible and downloadable online, to ensure that a wider audience of teachers and youth workers across Estonia can benefit from them. The digital version enables educators to use the game and its methodological guide independently, without requiring direct guidance or school visits from Pagulasabi. However, the organization remains available for consultations and in-person sessions upon request.
Looking ahead, Pagulasabi aims to develop additional lesson plans and educational resources on migration and integration topics. By incorporating Teemantsaar as a central tool in both formal school curricula and non-formal education activities, the organization seeks to promote a comprehensive understanding of migration and integration processes, fostering greater empathy and awareness among young people.