The kick-off meeting of the “The Book of Dreaming” project confirmed the importance of long-term international collaboration in the field of integration of children with migration experience, as well as its significance in the context of current social challenges. The meeting demonstrated the strong potential of art-based and participatory methods to build a sense of safety, belonging, and agency among the youngest participants of culture.
The event brought together representatives of all partner organizations: the organisers from the Art Transparent Foundation, the New Theatre Institute of Latvia in Riga, Pro Progressione in Budapest, and the Hnat Khotkevych Palace of Culture in Lviv. Joining online were the authors of the “The Book of Your Town” methodology – Andy Field and Beckie Darlington. From the perspective of Art Transparent, particularly valuable were the discussions on the specific challenges of working with refugee children in different local contexts, as well as the exchange of experiences with partners from Ukraine, who shared up-to-date insights into the situation of children and cultural institutions operating under the conditions of ongoing war.
One of the most inspiring elements of the meeting was the workshop session led by Andy Field and Beckie Darlington, dedicated to testing the key components of the methodology used in work with children. Participants had the opportunity to experience the process that children in Poland, Latvia, Hungary and Ukraine will engage in over the coming months. Additional value came from informal conversations, which allowed teams to better understand the practices used in different countries and to strengthen cooperation within the partnership.
During the meeting, the partners discussed the project objectives, division of tasks, work schedule, and standards related to accessibility and environmentally conscious implementation. They agreed on internal communication procedures, the joint development of two toolboxes dedicated to integration and accessibility, and the timeline for local visits and concluding events.
From the perspective of the Art Transparent Foundation, the meeting marks a new stage of international cooperation, strengthens the team’s competencies in working with children with migration experience, and confirms the need to develop integration tools based on art and participation. The “The Book of Dreaming” project has the potential to become an important example of how the cultural sector can respond to social challenges and support the creation of resilient, inclusive communities in Poland and across Central and Eastern Europe.
