Introduction
This webquest is designed to teach students about the tolerance, pluralism and social cohesion, in order to respond to the challenges of the 21 st Century in Europe – accept pluralism. The webquest aims to clarify: how is tolerance defined conceptually; how tolerance can be measured (whose tolerance, who is tolerated, and what if degrees of tolerance vary with reference to different minority groups).
Task
Your task for this webquest is to collect information, answer questions and discuss the implications of your answers. The purpose of this webquest is not to test your knowledge, but to enhance your understanding of tolerance, pluralism and cultural diversity in Europe.
Process
Step 1:
Watch this video about the importance of the international day for tolerance:
Complete the table below, then discuss the other questions with your colleagues and teacher:
What is tolerance?
| Tolerance is about: | what does it mean? |
|---|---|
| 1. understanding | - .... |
| 2. curiosity | - .... |
| 3. .... | - being willing to listen |
| 4. .... | - standing up for others |
| 5. respect | - .... |
What is intolerance? Do you know other examples of intolerant behaviour, like the one illustrated in the video ("The ugly duckling")? What can you do to be more tolerant?
Step 2:
Check the information about the International Day for Tolerance from the UNESCO website: https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/toleranceday. Follow the link to the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance (https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000151830) and read the 4th article. Why is education important? What does education for tolerance teach?
Step 3:
Fill in the worksheet below and discuss your answers with your colleagues and teacher:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dS564vPRn6X9FmaMS2OkpA0Ri4Fp5M--8iWGj464ld4/edit?usp=sharing
Great work! You are now at the last part of your project!!
There’s always more to learn and know, always something to do related to tolerance. Create a poster or a leaflet aimed at promoting the international day for tolerance, social acceptance, inclusion and equality. You can use online tools or draw it on paper, work in a team or individually.
Conclusion
Tolerance is an important concept that helps people to live together peacefully. To be tolerant means that you accept other people’s opinions and preferences, even when they live in a way that you don’t agree with. Tolerance also means that you don’t put your opinions above those of others, even when you are sure that you are right. Tolerant people show strength in that they can deal with different opinions and perspectives.
Tolerance doesn’t just make peaceful coexistence possible, another advantage is that being open to other ways of thinking can help with personal development. When you know more about different thinking and ideas from around the world, it will help you to understand the world better.
Credits
This webquest was created within the co-funded Erasmus plus KA2 partnership “Unique National and European Symbols of our Culture and Originality” (U.N.E.S.C.O.), project number 2020-1-RO01-KA229-080180, for celebrating „International Day for Tolerance” (International day observed at UNESCO on November) 16th).