M.Ed. (Multiculturalism and Education) / This project will endeavour to turn misconceptions of the past into mutual trust, understanding and respect for each of the population groups involved. It is hypothesized that: Intergroup contact can help refine information related to stereotypes and prejudice (Engels, 1993:1). Engels (1993:1) further argues that "intergroup contact alone is not sufficient to improve intergroup relationships and counter prejudices permanently". This research endeavours to probe into the possibility of reducing prejudice by creating a situation in which juveniles from different population groups will interact and engage in communication. To this, Czula (1979:31), contends that "only the type of contact that leads people to do things together is likely to result in changed attitudes". As a result, non-racial extra-curricula activities have been organised to provide a common ground where interpersonal and intergroup encounters will take place. Such an encounter is meant to instill in the youth (i.e. high school students, black and white) respect and understanding for other cultural groups irrespective of their pigmentation. In preparation for an integrated, multicultural education system which does not deny cultural plurality, it is necessary to prepare our youth for the advent of such a system by exposing them to a situation in which they will learn about each other's perceptions. It is hoped that this will enable students to rid themselves of unfounded misconceptions by laying the ground for them to acquire knowledge about each other and share matters of common concern, in order to bridge the chasm which exists between them.

No âmbito dos trabalhos de valorização da envolvente da Igreja e Ruínas do Mosteiro do Elmelo (Arcos de Valdevez, Viana do Castelo), coordenou-se uma intervenção arqueológica, conseguindo assim uma série de elementos sobre as características do edifício da igreja medieval de Ermelo. A leitura dos seus resultados deu origem ao início de uma investigação que culminou neste trabalho. Posteriormente foi realizada uma intervenção no espaço junto à arcada que ainda resta do Mosteiro de Ermelo. A necessidade de contextualizar os achados e de compreender o impacto do mosteiro na organização do espaço e de perceber a sua história, exigiu o cruzamento e a análise de documentação medieval e moderna relacionada com a igreja e o Mosteiro de Ermelo. Pela conjugação de dados obtidos, aferimos que a igreja e as ruínas do Mosteiro de Ermelo fizeram parte de um mosteiro rural, da Ordem de Cister, que terá subsistido com muitas dificuldades, que se repercutiram na construção da igreja e do próprio cenóbio, que não foram finalizados. Contudo, novas escavações arqueológicas trarão resultados mais concretos.

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Masters in History at the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa 2017 / This dissertation examines and explains the underlying social, ideological and economic reasons why the white population of Ermelo gravitated to a politics of the extreme in the years 1960-1994. In contrast to commonly held views that the growth of ultraconservatism correlates neatly with economic trends this dissertation argues that ultraconservatism in Ermelo emerged due to varying complex and at times contradictory reasons. By examining white society at the time of conquest in the 1860s, it is argued that whites in this area formed racist views from the time of settlement as the commercial success of their newly acquired farmland was dependant on the exploitation of cheap black labour. The focus of this study is however, on the emergence of new ultraconservative political parties from the late 1960s to the early 1990s which formed in reaction to National Party and local political dynamics. It is argued that the bedrock of conservative views was moulded during the time of initial settlement, however, for various reasons throughout the years these views were held and propagated. This study is a local history of ultraconservatism in Ermelo and illuminates particularities in the town’s white politics within the context of profound changes in Afrikaner politics nationally. White working-class workers and farmers supported ultraconservatives while white business people supported the NP and their politics of reform. This dissertation made use of public and private archives as well as life history interviews with various long-time residents of the town. It is argued that although capitalism was the main motivator for ultraconservative views and politics in the mid 1800s, it was also capitalism that brought about reform and created a platform for negotiation in the 1990s when ultraconservative political parties threatened the peaceful transition into a democratic South Africa. / XL2018