Inclusive Education in Action: Second INCLUDO Project Meeting Held in Riga
From June 10 to 12, Riga became a vibrant meeting point for education professionals participating in the second transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ project INCLUDO.
Riga Catholic Gymnasium hosted the event in collaboration with the University of Latvia and the Riga Education and Information Methodological Centre (RIIMC).
Project partners from Latvia, Estonia (University of Tartu), and Spain (University of Navarra and XABEC Vocational Training Centre) came together with a shared goal: to foster inclusive, values-based environments in secondary schools, inspiring both teachers and students.
Teachers Learning and Inspiring One Another
The first day of the meeting was dedicated to a hands-on training seminar involving 25 teachers from Latvian schools, alongside international guests from Spain and Estonia. The seminar focused on creating safe and inclusive learning environments where every student feels accepted and valued.
Baiba Moļņika, Secretary-General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, delivered a powerful keynote titled “From Bystanders to Upstanders – What Influences Student Behavior in Bullying Situations?”. Participants explored key topics, including bullying, mobbing, and strategies for fostering positive relationships in schools.
A special highlight was the use of drama methods – a creative and impactful approach that helps students better understand emotions, develop empathy, and respond constructively in challenging situations. Through role-play, simulations, and reflective exercises, teachers experienced firsthand how drama can support conflict resolution and inclusion.
The seminar concluded with a dynamic experience-sharing session, during which educators shared stories, ideas, and practical insights.
A New Teacher Training Course in the Making
Throughout the meeting, partners worked intensively on developing a teacher training course designed to serve as a practical tool for promoting inclusive values in secondary education. The course is based on active learning methods, including debates, storytelling, role-playing, and community-based learning.
The course will include three core modules:
- Developing Moral and Value-Based Competence
- Building Dialogic and Didactic Competence
- Mentoring Competence in Teaching Practice
Participants will engage in self-reflection, storytelling, active listening, and peer interaction, to apply values in everyday teaching and strengthen collaboration among teachers.
The course structure is being tailored to reflect the specific needs of educators in each partner country.
Inspiring Practices and Future Plans
The meeting also featured contributions from guest expert Egils Purviņš, who shared valuable insights into the importance of values education and its strong connection to personal development and character formation.
Ilze Kaļiņina from Riga Catholic Gymnasium introduced the school's experience with the “Leader in Me” program – an educational approach based on personal leadership, student agency, and self-directed learning. Built on the principles of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits, this program has proven to be an effective and sustainable tool for social and emotional education, encouraging students to become leaders in their own lives through emotional and value-based support.
Project partners also discussed the next phases of the project, including:
Finalizing the international research report
Preparing for participation in ICERI 2025 in Seville (10–12 November)
Developing the teacher handbook
In addition, the project’s communication strategy was updated to expand its reach and engagement.
Learn More and Get Involved
A new video interview with Baiba Moļņika, reflecting on the role of teachers in shaping inclusive educational environments, is now available on the INCLUDO YouTube channel.▶️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/V3a8IbB6NZc
INCLUDO is an Erasmus+ project (2024–2026) that supports secondary school teachers in promoting inclusive, civic, and moral values among students aged 16 to 19.Project No.: 2024-1-LV01-KA220-SCH-000247141Co-Funded by the European Union.
Follow the project:
Facebook: IncludoErasmusInstagram: @includo_erasmus_projectLinkedIn: INCLUDO Erasmus+ Project
Contact: erasmus.includo@gmail.com
