The Project

DICE (“Drama Improves Lisbon Key Competences in Education”) is an international EU-supported research project. In addition to other educational aims, this two-year project is a cross-cultural research undertaking the investigation of the effects of dramatic activities on five of the eight Lisbon Key Competences. The research is conducted by six consortium partners (Hungary, United Kingdom, Poland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Romania) and six associate partners (Czech Republic, Norway, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden).

The objectives of the project are:

1. To demonstrate with cross-cultural quantitative and qualitative research that dramatic activities in education are a powerful tool to improve the Lisbon Key Competences. To publish a Green Paper, based on the research, and disseminate it among educational and cultural stakeholders on the European, national, and local levels in 12 languages.
2. To create a “European Education Pack for Drama in Education” - a tool-kit for schools in how to use dramatic activities to improve the Lisbon Key Competences. To disseminate this pack widely among schools in 12 languages.
3. To compare dramatic activities in education in different countries and help the transfer of know-how with the mobilities of experts.

Dramatic activities in education are proven to be excellent tools to reinforce social cohesion, personal fulfillment, active citizenship, intercultural dialogue and gender equality; increased creativity, competitiveness, understanding of human rights, respect for democracy; encourage tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures; and contribute to a sense of European citizenship. The examined Lisbon Key Competences will be:

• Communication in the mother tongue
• Learning to learn
• Interpersonal, intercultural and social competences, civic competence
• Entrepreneurship
• Cultural expression

These are life-skills (or life-long learning skills) and competences necessary for the personal development of young people, their future employment, and active European citizenship.

The innovative aspect of the project is that this is the first research to demonstrate connections between dramatic activities in education and the Lisbon Key Competences with the added value of that this research will be widely shared with the relevant communities and stakeholders. The key outcomes of the project are the Education Pack and the Green Paper. Conferences in all countries will be held to disseminate the results of the project across Europe.

Consortium members are highly acknowledged nationally and internationally and represent formal and non-formal segments (or sectors) of education.

By investigating the effect of dramatic activities on these competences and publishing the results, we target key stakeholders in education: teachers, school managers, policy makers, pupils, and NGOs.