Equality of differences in Learning Communities

Abstract

We are currently living in a multicultural society where its members show a great social and educational potential. However, ethnic discrimination still represents a strong limitation in our societies, and more specifically in Europe. Successful experiences such as the "Learning Communities" show that an equality of differences, that is to say everybody's right to live their lives in a different way, helps to improve academic per- formance, instrumental learning, and reduces conflicts in college classrooms as well as in communities, neighborhoods or even in the municipality.

Vivimos en sociedades multiculturales cuyos miembros tienen un gran potencial social y educativo. Sin embargo, la discriminación étnica representa todavía una fuerte limitación en nuestras sociedades y, en concreto, en Europa. Experiencias de éxito como las "Comunidades de Aprendizaje" demuestran que la igualdad de diferencias, el igual derecho de todas las personas a vivir de forma diferente, mejora el rendimiento acadé- mico, el aprendizaje instrumental, y reduce los conflictos en el aula y en la comunidad, barrio o municipio.