AN illustrated talk on what children understand about being European was hosted by the Tamar branch of the European Movement last month.

The talk, entitled 'Images and Identity — Children's Understanding of being European', was held at Sydenham Damerel Methodist Church Hall, and was led by Dr Mary Richardson, senior lecturer at the Froebel College School of Education, Roehampton University.

Dr Richardson gave a presentation of the European project she and her team are currently working on, in conjuncton with partner institutions in Ireland, Germany, Portugal, Malta and the Czech Republic.

The project, combining art and citizenship education for 9 to 10-year-old schoolchildren, is aimed at developing ways in which they understand their European identity and improving their knowledge about Europe and the EU.

Dr Richardson showed examples of drawings and photographs from children, illustrating their thoughts and ideas on Europe. The selected images, while reflecting cultural diversity, also highlighted shared European values.

The project will also involve work with artists and galleries, leading to a bank of national images and teaching materials, the establishment of partner school links and an encouragement to learn foreign languages.

The talk was followed by a question and answer session. Dr Richardson was thanked for her talk by branch chairman Christopher Denne.