ENACTING – Belonging, Inclusion and Participation in Education in Luxembourg

The ongoing worldwide social, political, and ecological changes result in migration waves that influence living conditions, social relationships, and education. Studies continue to show that children of migrant and disadvantaged backgrounds continue to underachieve and that inequalities persist in education systems. The differences in equity do not only affect children’s achievement and social mobility, rather, immigrant students are frequently perceived as outsiders and have a low sense of belonging. Belonging predicts numerous mental, physical, social, economic, and behavioral outcomes and is directly related to questions of social cohesion. The aim of our interdisciplinary mixed-method research project is two-fold: (1) to understand factors that influence migrant children’s inclusion, participation and belonging in their regular classes, welcome courses, and day care centers (2) to find ways to promote inclusive practices, participation and belonging. The project’s participants are ministerial representatives, intercultural mediators, teachers, educators, parents and primary school children. We explore, firstly, the ways in which immigrant children use their languages, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging and, second, the practices, methods and strategies deployed by adults and peers to this effect. Third, we analyze influential structural and organizational factors. Our methods include focus groups and interviews. Our project’s findings will contribute to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the complex interconnection of inclusive practices, participation and belonging and also identify measures to raise children’s opportunities for academic success and feeling at home in their communities.