Joint problem-solving strategy towards social inclusion of children with a migrant background

<< Background >>The JOINclusion project was initiated to address the pressing need to foster social inclusion in diverse educational environments, particularly among migrant children. Empathy, a foundational skill for pro-social behaviour and global citizenship, is often undervalued in traditional education systems. This oversight leaves children, especially those in multicultural classrooms, unprepared to navigate diversity and inclusion challenges. Migrant children frequently face discrimination, exclusion and difficulty integrating into their new communities, which impacts their self-confidence and social relationships. Furthermore, teachers report feeling underprepared to address stereotypes, foster cultural dialogue and create inclusive classroom environments. These gaps highlight the need for innovative solutions that empower students to develop emotional intelligence, understand diverse perspectives and build positive relationships. JOINclusion was conceived to address these needs and foster inclusive, empathetic attitudes in schools and beyond.<< Objectives >>The JOINclusion project aimed to foster empathy, pro-social behaviour and social inclusion among primary school students, with a particular focus on children from migrant backgrounds. The key objective was to equip children with the ability to understand diverse perspectives, reduce biases and build positive relationships in multicultural settings. For migrant children, the project sought to enhance self-confidence, enabling them to actively participate in their communities as equal members. For native children, the goal was to foster inclusive attitudes and reduce implicit stereotypes about cultural differences. Additionally, JOINclusion aimed to support teachers by providing tools and strategies to address diversity in classrooms effectively. The overarching ambition was to create a long-lasting impact by embedding empathy and inclusivity as core values in educational environments, fostering stronger, more cohesive communities.<< Implementation >>The project involved a series of carefully designed activities to achieve its objectives. First, an extensive research phase was conducted to define user needs, involving input from students, teachers and psychologists. This phase led to the development o<< Results >>The JOINclusion project achieved a series of key milestones that marked the implementation of its strategy to develop a new approach and tool for fostering empathy and inclusion in educational settings. These outcomes included the creation of technical so