The motivation for our project is to address one of the biggest challenges the European Union is confronted with in the aftermath of the refugee crisis of 2015: the integration and inclusion of newcomers in European societies. All of the partners in this partnership are facing similar challenges (i.e. dealing with strong right-wing opposition and extremism, receiving asylum seekers, integrating a large number of people from different cultural backgrounds, making education more in line of the specific needs of refugee children, etc.). In this project we will discover how countries integrate newcomers from different cultural backgrounds and focus on education in particular as a vehicle for social inclusion. We want our students to explore the differences and similarities in the approaches of the partner countries and compare the ways in which newcomers are supported in finding their way to (higher) education/labour market, which opportunities are offered, to share good practises and discuss which difficulties are encountered. We feel it is important to learn from each other, but also to help each other as we face similar and different challenges in each of our countries. We are convinced it is crucial to combat prejudice and xenophobia by educating our students and helping them develop into active, responsible young European citizens, living and working together in a diverse and multicultural society. We strongly believe in the importance education: passing on knowledge and democratic values, developing skills and attitudes, is key. This project will contribute to our students' intercultural learning and will have lasting effect on our schools.The project will help students:- realise that differences can also mean opportunities;- see how people from other cultures have had and still have an impact on our society and how this changes our image of diversity;- identify and empathise with others;- become aware of judgemental and discriminatory thinking and behaviour;- become aware of the effects of their own behaviour on others;- see that immigration and welcoming refugees has always been a decisive factor in our histories; - realise that each and every one of us can make a change, i.e. fight intolerance;- be more tolerant towards other people and cultures in general;- gain knowledge of the different education systems and how each partner country welcomes and introduces newcomers;- gain insight in the opportunities and obstacles newcomers meet in the different partner countries; - acknowledge that speaking different tongues is an asset and offers access to other cultures;- improve their language skills;- improve their ICT skills;- be more creative.There will be 6 short-term exchanges of groups of pupils, hosted by each of the partners during the course of the project. Each partner will send 2 teachers and 5 students (with the exception of Germany, they will send only one teacher) on every exchange. Each host country will therefore receive a group of 25 students and 9 teachers. The participating students will range from 14-18 years old and are in general, technical or vocational education, in accordance with the age groups and level of education of the partner schools. We will select students based on their interests, motivation and commitment. We will strive to include students from different cultural backgrounds (e.g. ethnic or other minority groups), from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, or with learning disabilities (e.g. related to language). In every exchange we will work on one overreaching theme: the integration and inclusion of newcomers through education. For each exchange, the same project activities will be scheduled. However, they will be focussed on the specific context and circumstances of the host country:1. Presentations2. Guest speaker & seminar3. Round table discussion 4. Questionnaire5. Creativity Workshop 6. Workshop Game 7. International party8. Excursion 9. Trip to a local cultural site10. Culture in a box & posterThe concrete project results (presentations, questionnaire, end products of the creativity workshop, posters, etc.) will be shared on eTwinning, the partner schools’ websites/magazines and the project’s Facebook page. The project aims at both raising cultural awareness, combatting prejudice and xenophobia in a European context in general (e.g. intercultural learning) and at the achievement of the more specific objectives (e.g. exploring similarities and differences in our countries' approaches to the integration of newcomers). We are confident these goals will be met by all participants and that the project will have a positive and long lasting impact on students, teachers, parents, the school and by extension external school partners, local authorities etc.