Μuseum, Oral History, Intercultural Education. Making use of life stories at the museum environment in order to approach contemporary migration issue by children of preschool and school age

The research concerns the utilization of immigrant life stories as museum exhibits and educational material. The research was conducted in three different social and cultural environments with the method of action research. Children and parents participated in each individual action research either as researchers and co-creators of museum exhibitions or as visitors to them. The impact of the collection and use of life stories is examined, especially in relation to the relationship between indigenous children and children of immigrant origin of preschool / primary school age, 5-7 years and school age, 11-12 years. It aims to highlight the importance of life stories in encouraging intercultural communication, developing intercultural competence and enhancing self-esteem and emotional and cultural awareness among indigenous and immigrant students who participated in the research. Important conclusions are being drawn about the museum's new role as an open space, where people of indigenous and diverse ethnic backgrounds as members of a community can be equally involved in negotiating and constructing their cultural identity and local social history. Findings of the research also concern the school education and the development of critical social thinking, the main feature of an active citizen.