At the Lower Secondary School in Furtei, Sardinia (Italy), teachers and students involved in the GET project decided to explore the topic of migration. They listened to the voices of people who have experienced it firsthand and created seven audio interviews. This Global Citizenship Education approach encouraged curiosity and empathy, setting aside stereotypes and prejudice to truly listen to others.
The students began their learning journey by exploring one of GET’s Learning Units, which examines the causes of migration from historical and geographical perspectives. The unit opens with a simple yet powerful question: What is migration?
With the support of their teachers, the students chose to answer this question by giving voice to the stories of those who have lived the migration experience, interviewing first and second-generation migrants.
“Migration happens because of climate change, to find a better place, or to join family who live elsewhere,” – Selene.
“People migrate to find work, because the climate has worsened, or due to war,”–Manuel
Selene and Manuel’s responses show that migration is not just a distant statistic—it’s a real, current phenomenon affecting real people. Looking at their own surroundings, the students realized that migration was closer to them than they had thought. Teammates, neighbors, friends, and family acquaintances—all could share stories of journeys, hopes, dreams, struggles, and losses. Inspired by this realization, the students decided to give voice to these experiences through a youth action, sharing the audio interviews with their families and the wider community.
With guidance from Prof. Stefania Congia, the class first reflected on which questions would best capture the experience of migration: the reasons for leaving, arriving in Italy, the journey itself, and the emotional impact of being far from home.
After sharing and discussing their ideas, the students selected the most meaningful questions and designed two interview formats: one for people who had migrated to Italy, and one for those born in Italy to migrant parents. Next, they chose interviewees from their own social circles—friends, neighbors, and acquaintances—making the experience more tangible and personal.
Finally, the students applied their digital skills by recording the interviews in audio format. They then listened, discussed, and shared the stories in class and with their families.
This GET Youth Action focused on respect, empathy, and dialogue, giving students an active role in a journey of personal growth and civic engagement. If you found it inspiring, follow us for more stories and explore our free Teaching and Learning Units to support your students in active citizenship initiatives.
