I-PATHS – Intercultural Philosophical Approach to THinking Skill

Abstract

The aim of the project is to encourage intercultural dialogue with third countries not associated with the Programme and to increase tolerance through online interactions between people, relying on digital and youth-friendly technologies. 

The I-PATHS didactic model – a Intercultural Philosophical Approach to THinking Skill – will be used in project approach. This teaching concept, which is founded on a philosophical approach that encourages a critical mindset (Critical Thinking) through reflection on everyday expressions.
There are two specific objectives of the project:

• SO1 – Promote various types of virtual exchanges enabling more young people to benefit from intercultural and international experiences.
• SO2 – Enhancing critical thinking and media literacy, particularly in the use of the Internet and social media, so as to counter discrimination, polarisation and violent radicalisation.

The target group consider 2,500 student participants from 4 different Countries (Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco). The goal is to develop critical thinking as the need to base our thinking on listening to others, on recognising ourselves as something else among others: it is a matter of assisting the individual in exploring and knowing his own limits, because our thinking can only be critical within them, as Kant reminds us. Developing this type of attitude benefits not only information and the capacity to detect a person’s competency and the reliability of a topic, but also each individual’s social life. The outcomes of this strategy reveal an increase in democratic engagement and collaboration in school activities: pupils express a sense of belonging to the educational community and appreciate the importance of active citizenship. According to the World Economic Forum, critical thinking is required for active citizenship, and its development must be one of our school system’s primary goals, because it is fundamental for each individual’s physical, mental, and social well-being.