On 15-16 February the second development meeting for the Historiana project “Decisions and Dilemmas: how to teach about the EU from a historical perspective” took place in Braine L’Alleud, Belgium.
After a general introduction concerning aims of the meeting by Steven Stegers and Judith Geerling, it was time for Helen Snelson (UK) and the historical content editor Francesco Scatigna (Italy) to convey the team concerning the results of the Advisory Board Meeting in Spain in 2014. Then, Francesco presented his timeline with the key events for the EU between 1944 and 2008. It was a great opportunity to discuss on learning activities on the timeline developed for the part on the long search for stability in Europe. This point will be piloted soon in Denmark during the EuroClio Annual Conference.
Thereafter Bob Stradling – Historiana Editor in Chief- presented his ideas for activities, facilitating debates on key policy issues from 1945 to nowadays. On this subject, the presence of Edgars Berzins (Latvia), Marjeta Sifrer (Slovenia), Ineke Veldhuis-Meester (The Netherland) and Helen as History teachers was relevant to share ideas and improve activities template. One purpose: teach the EU in an interactive and interesting way!
Edgars, Ineke and Marjeta presented sources they found as evidence files to illustrate post-war Europe. This perspective includes displaced people, infrastructural destruction. More than the ‘practical aspect’, they are also focusing on the post-war spirit: how life goes on, how to prevent conflicts. In this way Historiana aims to teach History in an innovative way using ordinary life stories. That’s why we pooled with pleasure different life stories after the Second World War, collected by Edgars, Ineke and Marjeta and tried to make it relevant for teachers and students.
Finally, the team agreed on next steps to follow for the two coming workshops: pilot teaching material during the Annual Conference in Denmark and the project results that would be discussed during the International Training 2016 in Italy (more information will come).
