From 2 to 6 November, Santarém Polytechnic University in Portugal is hosting the ACE²-EU Alliance Flavour School “Migration and Racism: Interculturality in a Changing Europe”. Lietuvos inžinerijos kolegija students Tadas Žižys, Augustas Švėgžda, Joris Vaivilavičius, Irnius Aivaras and Bhuiyan Asfak Uddin are taking part in the programme. Together with students from other ACE²-EU partner institutions, they are exploring migration, cultural diversity, social inclusion and the challenges of racism in contemporary Europe.
Following an introductory online session on 27 October, the on-site programme began on 2 November. On the first day, students formed International Reflection Circles, where they shared their experiences and discussed the challenges of intercultural communication. Participants were also introduced to the ACE²-EU "Social Impactors" initiative, while Stefanie Putz from Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria) delivered a presentation on demographic change and migration in Europe.
On 3 November, students visited Lisbon to gain first-hand insights into the city's multicultural communities and the experiences of migrants. During a visit to Renovar a Mouraria, participants learned about local initiatives promoting migrant inclusion and intercultural dialogue. Working with Migrantour Lisboa, students explored the Mouraria and Martim Moniz neighbourhoods before taking part in a self-guided city exploration activity. As they made their way from Martim Moniz to Praça do Comércio, they completed five intercultural observation challenges, documenting their findings through photographs and reflections.
Throughout the remainder of the week, participants are taking part in practical workshops, discussions and collaborative activities aimed at strengthening intercultural understanding and combating racism. Working in international teams, students are developing initiatives that could contribute to a more inclusive society that embraces cultural diversity. They will present their proposals on 6 November, marking the conclusion of the Flavour School.
