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Case: Wereldwijven ateliers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands
More than 80 women from 27 different backgrounds come together in Wereldwijven ateliers to practice their language skills, their work skills and to expand their social network. Together they design and make beautiful products for their own shop and for designers with which they work together. Women empowerment and feeling more at ease in Dutch society, combining development of skills and language learning are key elements of this best practice. The combination of these elements are attractive to keep in mind by developing an education program for Winsome. It would be nice to use the educational program as a starting point for a long term relationship with the participants of…
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Case: Museum of the city of Volos (Volos, Greece)
The Museum of the City of Volos, Greece’s sole contemporary City Museum, is housed in a converted tobacco warehouse. Through its exhibitions and research projects, the museum actively engages with the local community and academic institutions. Its first major exhibition, “Volos-Nea Ionia: so close, so far,” commemorates the 90-year anniversary of a refugee settlement, highlighting the shared experiences of diverse individuals. The museum also fosters inclusivity by organizing regular visits for young refugees to other museums, facilitating cultural exchange and dialogue. These initiatives promote community-building, integration, and empowerment, enriching the museum experience for refugees and the wider community. Background The Museum of the City of Volos stands as Greece’s inaugural…
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Case: New city, new culture, new language (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
Getting to know a new country, city and language can be difficult. How do you make a new country feel like home? How do you get acquainted with a new culture? Part of this process can be facilitated through (mandatory) integration courses. The municipality of Amsterdam decided in 2006 to add something extra to the existing integration course for new residents of the city. With the project Stad en Taal (City and Language) the municipality of Amsterdam hopes that newcomers do not only learn the new languages but also get acquainted with the art and culture of the city and make it their new home. Background The project started at…
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Case: Speaking Heritage (Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands)
In 2022 the organisation Erfgoedhuis Zuid-Holland (Heritagecenter South-Holland) launched a new pilot program called Sprekend erfgoed (Speaking heritage). The program’s aim was to lower the threshold for museum visits for a specific target audience, new Dutch citizens and low literate people. These two groups, often in museums underrepresented, may experience more obstacles when visiting a museum than more experienced visitors. Background Starting as a pilot Erfgoedhuis Zuid-Holland connected four museums in the south of the Netherlands with local language trainers. These language trainers provide lessons and classes to learn the Dutch language. New Dutch citizens and low literate people come together in these (mandatory) integration classes. To learn the new…
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Case: Building Bridges (Thessaloniki, Greece)
The Greek Museum of Photography, established in 1987, is a cultural institution dedicated to the study, promotion, and education of photography. Located in Thessaloniki since 2001, it houses a vast collection of photographic objects spanning over a century. In 2016, the museum organised the exhibition An Other Life: Human Flows / Unknown Odysseys, featuring works by photojournalists and personal photographs of refugees. Complementing the exhibition, educational programs were implemented, incorporating real refugee testimonies and employing Educational Drama techniques. These initiatives attracted thousands of visitors, fostering understanding, empathy, and ongoing engagement, while utilising photography as a powerful medium for visual storytelling. Background Established through private initiative in 1987, the Greek Museum…
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Case: What would you take with you? (Thessaloniki, Greece)
The Folklife & Ethnological Museum of Macedonia & Thrace in Thessaloniki, established in 1957, houses a collection of folklore material from northern Greece. Its purpose is to research, preserve, and promote traditional culture through exhibitions, publications, educational programs, and events. In 2016, the museum held an exhibition on the refugee crisis, drawing parallels with the city’s history of migration. The exhibition received positive feedback from newcomers, fostering cultural connections and providing a reprieve from camp life. Challenges included translation difficulties and storytelling mediated by translators. Overall, the experience demonstrated the potential for museums to contribute to the well-being of newcomers and foster understanding between host communities and displaced individuals. Background…
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Case: National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, (Athens, Greece)
The Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Athens conducted a pedagogical intervention at the Elaionas refugee shelter, aiming to address the unique needs of the refugee population. The intervention unfolded in three phases, adapting to the changing circumstances and accommodating the transient nature of the shelter’s population. Collaborations with various museums facilitated cultural exchange, bridging the gap between newcomers and the local society. The initiative engaged children creatively, preparing them for integration into schools through connections established with other children and exposure to Greek culture. Flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration were key elements in the successful design and implementation of the program. Background Established in the academic year…
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Case: Our long journey. Yesterday, where did I come from?… Now where am I… Tomorrow where do I want to go? (Thessaloniki, Greece)
The Children’s Museum of Thessaloniki, established in 1997, overcame a devastating fire in 2009 to become an independent institution focused on providing an enriching environment for children. Collaborating with UNHCR, the museum developed a program titled “Our Great Journey,” aiming to foster connections and understanding among refugee and non-refugee children. Through engaging activities and games, the program facilitated a sense of comfort, acceptance, and friendship. The museum’s success demonstrated the significance of thoughtful design and inclusive approaches, accommodating diverse backgrounds and celebrating linguistic diversity. These efforts showcased the power of play and education in forging connections and promoting empathy. Background Established in 1997, the Children’s Museum of Thessaloniki found its…
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Case: Two homes, one museum (Brussels, Belgium)
In a partnership between the Belgium museum BELvue and the Federatie voor Mondiale en Democratische Organisaties (FMDO) a guided tour has been created through the museum by guides with a diverse immigration background. The tour: 2 (t)huizen, 1 museum (two homes, one museum) doesn’t focus on the museum but on the stories the guides have experienced and how they relate them to the objects on display in the museum. Background As the museum about Belgium and its history BELvue presents their country through seven different themes; democracy, prosperity, solidarity, pluralism, migration, language and Europe. The museum strives to be a place that facilitates new encounters and the exchanging of thoughts…
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Case: Verhalenhuis Belvédère, a place built from stories (Rotterdam, The Netherlands)
Located in the neighbourhood Katendrecht in Rotterdam a different type of museum has been formed. One that revolves around people and their stories, not around objects. A museum that doesn’t always create exhibitions to showcase these stories. One that knows how to work with communities and is not afraid to travel beyond its own four walls to seek out new connections and partnerships. Since 2008 Verhalenhuis Belvédère (Storyhouse Belvédère) knows how to connect with visitors, the neighbourhood, the city and beyond from all different backgrounds and layers of society. Background In its earlier beginnings the Storyhouse had not yet found a location to call its home. Created by three individuals…
