SIRIUS is starting a new European project called ENABLE, focused on “enabling school integration of migrant and refugee children through social and emotional learning interventions to address psychosocial trauma”and implemented by 7 partners from 5 European countries (France, Belgium, Italy, Turkey and Greece). On the 12th and 13th of January SIRIUS met with the project partners in Pau (France) for the Kick off Meeting.
The ENABLE Project
Migration and especially forced displacement and refugee experiences are associated with extreme psychosocial trauma considering the conditions under which migrants and refugees have to leave their countries, which is even more severe when it comes to children who are still in the sensitive period of development. Schools can be important settings to foster the wellbeing of all students, and particularly that of Migrant, Refugee and Displaced Children (MRDC) who may have had traumatic experiences before leaving their homes, during the journey or while settling in a new community or country.
In recent years, the key role that education plays in treating psychosocial trauma among MRDC is increasingly recognized as school institutions can stimulate resilience and cultivate learners’ social and emotional development, thus helping build self-confidence and emotional regulation skills, while teaching children to create relationships based on trust with others.
ENABLE’s key objective is to promote the social and emotional development of Migrant, Refugee and Displaced Children (MRDC) through culturally sensitive, school-based interventions designed to deal with the negative effects of psychosocial trauma. The project’s specific objectives are to:
- enhance the capacity of primary & secondary schools to effectively deal with cases of psychological trauma by developing first-level treatment and response mechanisms, protocols and tools
- build the capacity of primary & secondary education teachers to stimulate the social and emotional development of MRDC in the school environment
- raise the awareness of educational institutions, relevant stakeholders and decision makers about the= importance of strengthening their policy framework on psychosocial trauma treatment for MRDC.
Expected result of the project
- A mapping matrix on effective psychosocial trauma practices focusing on the needs of MRD children in schools.
- A defined Trauma-informed Teacher/Educator Profile (incl. training needs).
- A validated Online Training Course on Trauma-Informed Teaching in primary and secondary schools comprising horizontal and specialised modules for i) School teachers & ii) School heads/managers.
- Training workshops with the participation of both teachers and principals in primary and secondary schools.
- An integrated Trauma-Informed School Policy for MRD children in the form of a Toolkit for primary and secondary school managers, key actors and decision makers at local and national level.
- Awareness raising campaign through website, social media, printed and electronic material etc. and through events, such as advocacy/lobbying meetings, info days and a final conference.