Interactive Roadshows that highlight diversity, cohesion & belonging

Passage is a hands-on interactive day-long roadshow that uses the plight of forced migrants to highlight diversity, cohesion and belonging. The roadshow, a groundbreaking schools resource  is supported by Baca Project, a Loughborough based charity established to welcome young people who arrive in this country from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Eritrea, Albania, Palestine and Sudan amongst others.

Following a successful pilot event in conjunction with Loughborough Learning Partnership and QCA, Passage compliments and fulfils the Revised 2008 Cross-Curriculum dimensions of ‘identity and cultural diversity’, ‘community participation’ and ‘global dimension’. It has now been delivered to local high schools, colleges, e2e, church and university groups

The day’s event allows students to step into the shoes of an asylum seeker and experience the journey themselves, discovering what it means to leave all you have behind and how your identity is shaped by such transitions.

The roadshow is split into four sections

•    Identity – showing videos, post it notes exercise & flash card activity
•    The Experience – Activity about asylum seekers’ journey
•    Interview with an asylum seeker
•    Quiz & Art,Drama and ICT workshops

John Amery, the Passage coordinator said, “Without exception whenever we deliver the roadshow the comments from staff and students reflect the way in which opinions and stereotypes have been constructively challenged.  Nearly every student goes away with a renewed appreciation for their Western lifestyle and a greater awareness of the impact their remarks can have on people around them.

One school staff member from a school in Market Bosworth recently said, “I’ve never seen our students engage so well with anything for that long.  It was really engrossing – during the interview you could hear a pin drop!  The quality of the day was excellent – the content, delivery and all the activities – it was just superb, and I think the message has made some of the staff think twice about a few things too!”

In Shepshed, one staff member was so emotionally touched after hearing a heart-rending interview of an asylum seeker who gave a moving account of the experiences he went through before he got to this country. She said, “Please tell the gentleman that spoke, – ‘thank you for sharing your story with us. Your doing so is more valuable than any written account. It brings it home and makes it far more real for the students.”

For further information contact The Passage team on 01509 550438. Passage Flier is available to download if you would like to pass it onto a friend, colleague or school. Visit www.bacaproject.org.uk/passage. Use online contact form to book Passage Roadshow or e-mail [email protected]