The transborder project 'La Culture au Service de la Réussite' ('Culture as a Means of Success') ended yesterday with a major conference held yesterday at Esch-Belval's Maison du Savoir, attended by Minister Claude Meisch; Vice President of Meurthe-et-Moselle County Council, Antony Caps; and the Academic Services Director of National Education of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Jean-Luc Strugareck.
The conference was also attended by some 400 people, including representatives of EU member countries, students, teachers, artist, designers and parents. The conference was held at the opening of the symposium 'Staying on track: Fighting Against Dropping out and Promoting Academic Success", held on 9 and 10 July 2015 as part of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The project, backed by the European Programme Comenius Regio, was developed as a means of supporting struggling students in overcoming their learning blocks. It is based on the notion from psychologist Serge Boimar of cultural development through painting, sculpture and writing.
Minister Claude Meisch stated that the fight against dropping out of school is one of the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency, claiming that it is no longer possible for a young person to enter the working world without a form of training or qualification. He explained that culture has the power to awaken a talent in a young person that they never expected, and instil in them a confidence in their capacity to achieve.
The project demonstrated how cultural nourishment has the ability to improve the grades of students, as well as the behaviours of the person involved, allowing them to gain in confidence, overcome their fears, calm their emotions, harness their motivation, and develop relationships with others.
To ensure the continuation and expansion of the project, a transborder training is set to be organisaed from October 2015, involving a group practive and a reflective discussion on cultural nourishment.
A film of the conference, including a documentary and various videos, will be available on www.men.lu and www.culture-reussite.eu
Photos by Arnaud Martin (Top: L-R: Jean Billa, Claude Meisch, Antony Caps, Jean-Luc Strugareck)
