Hello everyone!
This is Malin and Luca, two MOTIVATE! participants from Norway and Switzerland, who are happy to share insights from our very first House Session on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, hosted by Fabienne Molela. Throughout her workshop we had the opportunity to engage more deeply with the topic of discrimination in education.
Before the session, participants had several expectations: learning how to handle situations of discrimination, developing a better understanding of appropriate and inclusive language, overcoming the fear of intervening, and broadening their own perspectives. She even exceeded these expectations with her presentation, because she led an instructive and eye-opening workshop on discrimination in education and guided us through a presentation that highlighted both the existing lack of awareness and concrete possibilities for change.
Let us begin with the most striking ideas and questions that stayed with us after the session. Particularly insightful were the exploration of the history of discrimination and its connection to the Transatlantic Triangular Trade and the construction of race, the realization of a widespread lack of awareness – discrimination occurs every day, everywhere, and often unconsciously – and, finally, approaches to addressing discrimination and creating possibilities for change. Another important concept introduced was the term BIPoC, referring to Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, which is politically correct to say.
Particularly insightful was our exploration around how racism as a misconception can be deconstructed. Fabienne highlighted the lack of awareness surrounding racism and pointed to possibilities for change. Addressing racism requires openness, reflection, and a willingness to engage with discomfort. Before turning to solutions, however, it is crucial to examine discrimination in education and its consequences for those affected. Racism has various consequences for those affected and for this reason, schools have a clear responsibility to actively address racism and to protect students. Remaining passive reinforces existing inequalities.
We learned that race could be seen as a social construct, created to secure domination, power and privilege. Even though, scientifically, there is no such thing as human races. An arising question is, what can we do as future educators? Fabienne concluded the session with future-oriented recommendations that extend beyond teachers alone. Central principles include attention, understanding, and assistance.
Fabienne illustrated social support as an essential for processing experiences of racism through a powerful example of a car accident. Who would you help first: the injured person (affected by racism) or the person fleeing the scene (perpetrator)? This example gave us a new perspective to face of racism. Knowledge plays a key role in the process too! It fosters understanding as well as acceptance and recognition of the current racist reality: racism exists everywhere, often unconsciously and subliminally. Concrete measures include inviting experts, networking between institutions, publishing handouts, and making information widely accessible at a municipal level.
Ultimately, the goal is the deconstruction of a Eurocentric perspective not only in educational work, but beyond it. As Fabienne concluded: acknowledging that we are racially socialized is a starting point, not an endpoint. Through sustained attention, understanding, and assistance, individuals and institutions can actively contribute to change.
Racism is learned and reproduced, but it can also be challenged and unlearned – within education and throughout society.
Fabienne, you enriched, expanded, and challenged our perspectives. Thank you!
Written by Malin and Luca
Citation
Molela, Fabienne (14 January 2026). Presentation: Discrimination in education – showing the lack of awareness of the problem and the possibilities for change.
