During the week of June, 21st to 27th, a school librarian from Ireland took part in the training course “European Cultural Heritage as a Pedagogical and Integration Tool in Education” aiming at providing new tools and insights for integrating European Cultural Heritage into the school library activities. It also offered the opportunity to collect and share good practices that can be implemented and disseminated among colleagues.
On the first day, she joined a combined session with colleagues from other courses, exploring the main concepts of European Cultural Heritage alongside elements of mindfulness and community-based projects. The session provided a broad overview of how these themes can be integrated into educational practice, encouraging participants to reflect on the role of cultural heritage in promoting inclusion, well-being, and community participation.
The second day focused on a deeper exploration of the concept of cultural heritage, moving beyond its traditional material dimension to embrace the broader notion of intangible cultural heritage. Particular attention was given to heritage as a dynamic cultural process, highlighting the important role that communities play in shaping, preserving, and continuously reinterpreting their heritage over time. In particular, a relevant topic was the concept of shared European heritage, which emphasises the common values, traditions, and historical connections that contribute to a shared European identity while respecting cultural diversity.
Another key theme was dissonant heritage, presented as a powerful tool for citizenship education. By addressing controversial or contested aspects of the past, this approach encourages learners to engage in dialogue, develop critical thinking skills, and better understand how different interpretations of history shape contemporary societies. Such discussions can foster inclusion, mutual respect, and democratic participation, making cultural heritage a valuable educational resource for schools.
In the afternoon, the “Let’s book trailer” project, developed by JUMP, was presented as a good practice of heritage safeguarding and heritage interpretation. The presentation highlighted how innovative digital educational approaches can support the promotion and appreciation of cultural heritage among young people, and at the same time fostering digital literacy, creativity and collaboration.
On the third day, the relationship between culture and education was further explored through practical examples and lesson plans. Case studies demonstrated how both tangible and intangible cultural heritage can be successfully integrated across different school subjects. The role of digital heritage was also examined, in particular to support lesson planning and non-formal educational activities, being digital technologies a great tool to make cultural heritage learning more engaging and accessible.
Overall, the course provided valuable theoretical knowledge and practical ideas that can be applied in school libraries and classroom activities. It strengthened the awareness of the educational potential of European Cultural Heritage and offered concrete strategies for promoting inclusion, active citizenship, and intercultural dialogue through innovative teaching approaches.
Author: Giusy Froio (JUMP trainer)
