MRU-led INSIDE Partnership Addresses European Youth Identity Challenges - MRU
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13 January, 2017
MRU-led INSIDE Partnership Addresses European Youth Identity Challenges

Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is leading a group of youth researchers from 5 European universities and partners from NGO sector in developing evidence and tools for youth identity. The project is implemented by MRU (coordinator, Lithuania) in partnership the University of Bologna (Italy), Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), University of Bordeaux (France), Cardinal Wyszyński University in Warsaw (Poland) and the Tolerant Youth Association (Lithuania). The project is coordinated by MRU Professor Saulė Raižienė and Assoc. Professor Rasa Erentaitė, both from the Institute of Psychology at MRU. Current-day Europe presents numerous challenges to youth identity development, which may particularly hinder development of youth from vulnerable backgrounds. Persistent socio-economic inequalities, socio-cultural fragmentation and general lack of tolerance in European societies contribute to experiences of stigmatization and exclusion based on core aspects of youth identities. These include ethnicity, religion, social class, gender, sexual orientation or ability. The current geopolitical situation, with high levels of refugees and international migration to and within Europe, is creating a context in which challenges for identity-related youth transitions become even more salient. In response to these challenges, the partnership INSIDE (Innovative Curriculum for Strong Identities in Diverse Europe) will generate new research knowledge and develop innovative education tools for up-to-date university and non-formal teaching on youth identity. In particular, the project will deliver: 1) a course curriculum for an intensive program on youth identity development, 2) a compendium of articles on identity-related research and applied work with youth, and 3) an open educational resource on support to youth facing identity-related challenges. The project is funded by the Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership.