“Skin-coloured pencils” project raised awareness among more than a thousand children throughout the archipelago
The “Skin-coloured Pencils” project, launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21) in 2023, came to an end on January 14 at a session for students at the Dr. José Pereira Botelho Elementary School in Lagoa, São Miguel Island.
For two years, the initiative promoted by the Regional Government, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, aimed to raise awareness and educate Azorean elementary school students about respecting differences and combating discrimination. It had a significant impact on the school community, stimulating interculturality, respect for cultural diversity and the deconstruction of prejudices.
In 2023, the project was carried out in 62 schools, with 72 sessions and 1,060 students involved. In 2024, the activity expanded to 66 schools, with 81 sessions and 1,620 students taking part. The balance of this activity, which travelled the nine islands of the Azores, is largely positive due to significant figures and the direct impact on building a culture of respect and inclusion among students.
With innovative and educational approaches, such as storytelling and watching short films, the project encouraged students to reflect deeply on equality and diversity. The delivery of a box containing 12 pencils of different skin colours to schools, as a way of reinforcing the idea that diversity should be accepted and valued, is one of the symbolic moments of the activity.
Aware of the importance of actions promoting diversity and combatting discrimination, the Regional Government ensures the implementation of this kind of project to contribute to the development of a more inclusive, equal and fair society.
