On February 28, 2024, during the student assembly at Istituto E. Fermi in Mantua a powerful and thought-provoking event was held as part of the European Values and Migration (EUAMI) project. The initiative featured two guest speakers who offered complementary and deeply impactful perspectives on the theme of migration.
Professor Matteo Bassoli, Political scientist at the University of Padua, expert of migration policies and coordinator of the EUAMI Jean Monnet Network, led an engaging and interactive session with final-year students.
Through open dialogue and critical questioning, he invited students to reflect on what the term “immigration” means to them, both personally and politically. The session also included a debunking of common fake news and widespread misconceptions about migration in Italy, encouraging students to develop media literacy and a more evidence-based understanding of the issue.
The emotional heart of the event came from Joy Jacob, a young woman and survivor of human trafficking, who shared her personal journey from Nigeria to Italy. Her testimony shed light on the complex and often invisible realities of migration, vulnerability, and resilience. Her story moved the audience and created a powerful connection between the lived experience of migrants and the broader values of dignity, solidarity, and human rights that the EUAMI project seeks to promote.
The event at Istituto Fermi stands as a meaningful example of how schools can become spaces of civic education and critical reflection, empowering students to think beyond stereotypes and engage with European values in real-world contexts.
To watch the full event click here.
