The Portuguese ISOTIS team presented project results in Porto and Lisbon on 22nd and 29th of May. These events were a space for debate and sharing experiences and practices that promote the inclusion of children and families.

The opening sessions were held by Luísa Faria, Director of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto, and by Rita Guerra and Ricardo Rodrigues, ISOTIS researchers from ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa.

What is ISOTIS and what is its relevance were the foci of the first presentation, made by ISOTIS researcher Clara Barata (University of Coimbra). The importance of the project was emphasized in view of the widening social inequalities in children's linguistic / cognitive development throughout their lives, with the disparities remaining for immigrant children, beyond what would be explained by socioeconomic disadvantage. Click here to see the presentation

The perspectives of families from immigrant, Roma or economically disadvantaged communities were the theme addressed by ISOTIS researchers Rita Guerra and Cecília Aguiar (ISCTE-IUL) in Porto, and Inês Ferreira (ISCTE-IUL) in Lisbon. One of the shared preliminary findings regarding the Portuguese context emphasizes the importance of family involvement in informal (social) events at school. Click here to see the presentation

Family support services to reduce inequalities were the focus of the presentation by ISOTIS researcher Joana Cadima (FPCEUP). One of the results presented indicates that most evidence-based support programs show positive gains for families, but there is still little information about the reduction of inequalities. Click here to see the presentation.
This theme was commented by Sandra Rodrigues, Margarida Pinheiro and Sara Matos, who belong to the team of the Project Aquém e Além Salas de Vidro from Agrupamento de Escolas de Coruche, which aims to include children from Roma communities in pre-school education, and promote the educational success of all children.

The promotion of equity in school was approached by ISOTIS researcher Cecília Aguiar (ISCTE-IUL). Based on the project results, some of the recommendations mentioned corresponded to: valuing and supporting the learning of the first/mother language; promotion of contact through cooperative approaches, and explicit focus on reducing prejudice. Click here to see the presentation
In Porto, this theme was commented by Ana Martins, from the Project Escolhas Porta 7 E7G, which aims to promote equality, non-discrimination and the reinforcement of social cohesion. In Lisbon, the theme was commented by Alexandra Santos, from the Psychology and Vocational Counselling of the Agrupamento de Escolas da Damaia.

Professional perspectives and professional development approaches were the focus of the presentation by ISOTIS researcher Gil Nata (FPCEUP). Based on the response of professionals working with children and / or families, one of the most frequently felt needs is to have more time for individualized support for children needing it. Click here to see the presentation

The coordination between services to reduce inequalities was the theme presented by ISOTIS researchers Joana Guerra and Catarina Leitão (University of Coimbra), respectively in Porto and Lisbon. As facilitators factors of collaborative work between services, the results presented highlight the relevance of political and organizational support, and the involvement of services and professionals acting locally, and citizens in the development and evaluation of interventions. Click here to see the presentation

The ISOTIS results presentations took place at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto and at ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa.

The Portuguese ISOTIS team thanks all the participants!

Click here to consult the program

The folowing pictures are from meetings in Porto and Lisbon