Exploring Heritage and Combating Prejudice Through Art
Exploring Heritage and Combating Prejudice Through Art
Carmen Camelia Mitrache
Trainer Asociația Culturală ARTEC, Romania
Art is more than just aesthetics—it is a reflection of our collective identity and a gateway to dialogue.
Within the Accreditation Project for mobilities in adult education, Improving Performance through Learning Transfer (Project No. 2024-1-RO01-KA121-ADU-000230304), funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme 2021–2027 and implemented between 01.06.2024 and 31.08.2025, I represented the Cultural Association ARTEC Romania as a trainer during a teaching mobility held in Paris, France. The activity was hosted by ARche Culturelle between 27.01.2025 and 01.02.2025.
This experience was part of a structured Erasmus+ programme focused on adult education, multiculturalism, and social inclusion through artistic expression.
Through this mobility experience, we set out to explore the richness of European cultural heritage and harness artistic expression as a catalyst for inclusion and social awareness. In an increasingly diverse Europe, understanding our roots while challenging prejudice through creativity becomes not only an educational act but a civic responsibility.
Throughout the week, educators and participants engaged in a variety of interactive workshops centered on European heritage, critical thinking, and creative collaboration. We explored how art can serve as a powerful educational tool—not only to preserve history but to challenge bias and foster empathy in diverse communities.
Key Activities and Training Content
The training was designed to reflect the objectives outlined in the Europass Mobility section:
Art as a tool for inclusive education: Workshops focused on understanding exclusion and inclusion through artistic interpretation, using paintings, murals, and installations as conversation starters.
creativity Developing intercultural competence: Group discussions and exercises highlighted cultural awareness, empathy, and understanding diversity.
Digital in adult learning: Participants practiced using Canva, Mentimeter, and Slido to co-create engaging educational materials adapted to disadvantaged learners.
Non-formal strategies for inclusion: Outdoor games, storytelling, and experiential methods were implemented to strengthen group cohesion and promote equal participation.
Reflections on identity and failure: Activities emphasized the role of personal narrative and overcoming failure as part of lifelong learning and empowerment.
Exchange of good practices: Trainers shared case studies and tools from their local contexts, strengthening European cooperation and teaching strategies.
The teaching assignments were both practical and transformative, challenging participants to collaborate, share lived experiences, and solve real-life educational scenarios.
This mobility was more than a professional journey—it was a space for human connection, creative expression, and active contribution to inclusive education. The diversity of people, the ideas exchanged, and the values shared made this week an unforgettable experience. I return with new methods, deeper insights, and renewed motivation to use education as a powerful instrument for change and empathy.
More info about this project: www.artec-craiova.ro
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the National Agency and Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
