Thanks to a standing partnership with EuroClio, the House of European History held a training workshop on 13-14 May, where LLLP representatives got to attend to grasp the basics of communicating about our shared history. Beside a plethora of learning materials, the workshop focused on the role of teachers in building a common identity, especially through non-formal and informal learning methodologies.
From a dental clinic to the House of European History: How to tell the story/stories of Europe
A grand visual display of the Fables de la Fontaine was meant to calm the children that were waiting for a dental appointment at the Eastman building during the 1930s. Nowadays, the former dental clinic serves as the House of European History, an initiative from the European Parliament that opened its doors to the public in 2017.
The House of European History aims to create an experience for the visitor about the complexity of European history taking into account three important aspects: memory, multiperspectivity and integration. The process of selection of what’s included in the permanent exhibition responds to those three aspects intertwined with what is relevant from the history of Europe in the present, how certain episodes from the history of different European countries have shaped what is happening today.
The tour through the six floors of the house is a learning and storytelling experience on its own: from personal objects like diaries, coats and a mustard saucer to photographs, political posters and videos. The relationship between the personal and the social dimension is key to understanding how war, genocide, nationalism, etc. shaped different moments in time.
Why do we need to learn about the EU? How does the meaning of the EU change across generations?
These might seem trivial questions, but teachers and students have proven to be core actors of the European integration process. Throughout history, educating its citizens about the historic milestones that made the EU has been one of the most compelling tasks of the European Union. Today, the House of European History is delivering a huge learning offer, in Brussels and beyond, focusing on the permanent exhibition, EU integration, the learning material available for teachers on the HEH YouTube channel, the virtual tour, online teacher’s workshops and the future Digital toolbox.
What’s next?
New findings will be used to prepare the content of new educational material based on the needs and expectations of the teachers. For example, the editors will have the possibility to test a specific workshop on democracy and the history of European integration in light of the upcoming European elections.
Most resources are (or will be) available on the website of the House of European History.
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