Inclusive memory. Museum education to promote the creation of a new shared memory

Abstract

This paper describes the design and implementation by CDM (Centre for Museum Studies – Roma TRE University) of a museum teaching and learning project, Inclusive Memory, aimed at supporting disadvantaged categories’ inclusion processes, through a shared memory development, in contexts of cultural heritage fruition within the city of Rome. In the first phase of the project pupils from a secondary school based in Rome participated in the activities proposed. The group was characterised by a high rate of immigrant, disabled or disadvantaged pupils. Specific learning paths have been designed at the Museum of Rome - Palazzo Braschi to reach the project objectives. The city of Rome and its representations were the starting point for guided and in-depth discussion activities on issues such as social differences, urban and cultural transformations of the city, social aggregation, the relationship between the city and the countryside, the politics of consensus, with a view of promoting the participants’ critical thinking skills. Ad hoc assessment procedures were carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the Inclusive Memory project.