Name: Anita Rolén and Kenneth Backsten

title/profession: Teachers

E-mail: anita.rolen@edu.filipstad.se Kenneth.Backsten@edu.filipstad.se

Telephone: 004659061498 or 004659061496

Address: Ferlinskolan, Rektor Furuskogsgata 2, S68233 Filipstad, Sweden

Website: www.ferlinskolan.se

Ferlinskolan, a school with approximately 540 pupils in the age of 12 – 16.

We have identified problems concerning racism and xenophobia in our school and we feel that we are forced to do something about it and promote democracy. One of the reasons is the presence of undemocratic groups in our neighbourhood. Yearly two teachers and about ten pupils are visiting Auschwitz as an education to prevent Nazism, racism and bulling. Afterwards they inform the other pupils about their experience. These pupils are also working as pilots convincing other pupils to not join Nazi and other undemocratic groups. We think it is important to learn by history, as they say in Auschwitz: "The one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again." (George Santayana)

Our project idea is to extent the work against xenophobia and racism, experience other cultures to increase understanding for other cultures. We strongly believe that a meeting between people from different cultures, with different languages and with different religions promote understanding and prevent fear. We are looking for partner schools to exchange ideas, experiences and later we want our pupils to visit the partner schools and the pupils from the partner schools to visit us.

Our intention is also to educate the teachers in discovering and prevent threat against democracy.

We are interested in all participating countries in the Comenius/Socrates programme