Storytelling is one of the most powerful practices to connect people and stimulate meaningful changes in society. Stories have the power to break down barriers, create empathy, and raise awareness about complex and sensitive issues. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, sharing individual experiences is crucial for building mutual understanding between different cultures and identities. JeS aims to harness the power of storytelling to explore and deepen the life experiences of those facing challenges related to human rights, such as the right to a home, a safe place, and a sense of belonging to a community.
From November 25 to 29, the project organized a training week at the Multisensory Space of Laurea in Vantaa, Finland, where the multisensory method was at the core of the activities. This method involves the simultaneous activation of multiple senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—to create experiences that stimulate not only the mind but also the heart. The approach aims to make learning experiences deeper and more memorable, fostering emotional connection and empathetic understanding of abstract concepts and complex themes, such as home and belonging.
The workshop specifically focused on exploring human rights through the lens of belonging, a crucial theme for many marginalized groups, including refugees and migrants. By creating sensory-stimulating environments, participants were able to have an immersive experience that triggered emotional and cognitive responses, encouraging deeper reflection on the meaning of “home” and “security.” This innovative method allowed for the analysis and discussion of how different people, with diverse backgrounds and stories, experience and interpret the concept of belonging in unique and personal ways.
The main goal of the project was to provide participants with the necessary tools to use the multisensory method for storytelling, a key step in promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. The training involved not only the project team but also students from partner universities, professionals working with immigrants, and, of course, migrants and refugees themselves. Together, they created an inclusive and stimulating environment where individual stories became bridges to overcome differences and strengthen solidarity and inclusion.
To follow JeS developments and learn about its news, visithttps://jointstories.eu, follow us on Facebook or contact Paula Goltzsche: paula.goltzsche@cesie.org.
About the project
JeS – Joint eStories: Journeys from Fear to Fair is a project funded by Erasmus+ KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education.
Partners
- LAUREA University of Applied Sciences (Finland, Coordinator)
- UNIVERZA V MARIBORU (Slovenia)
- INCOMA (Spain)
- UC Limburg (Belgium)
- European Migrant Platform (Belgium)
- CESIE (Italy)
For further information
Read more about the project, visit https://jointstories.eu and follow us on Facebook.
Contact Paula Goltzsche: paula.goltzsche@cesie.org.
