Maps english language

Starting from the Spanish and Portuguese conquest of Latin America, the activity aims at raising awareness of the vastity of territories involved in the colonial conquests and of colonialism as an act of force which has deeply influenced the development of inequalities.

The activity helps to consider the presence of empires and big figures not belonging to the “North- Western” world in history, and to develop the capacity of decentralization (that is, in this case, the capacity to understand the historical importance of different subjects rather than the ones closer to our culture of reference).

Showing the speed and proportion of European conquests in Africa, the activity raises awareness of the large size of lands involved in the colonial expansionism and of the very serious effects colonialism has had on the development of inequalities.

Through a comparison between the 13th century, 19th century, and today, the activity raises awareness of the fact that cities’ destiny depends on trade and cultural network they are linked to, networks change in history, and the most important networks haven’t always been in the hands of the “North-Western” world.

At the same time, the activity helps to place local dynamics in bigger geographical scales (increasing the capacity of transcalarity), to grasp historical discontinuity and to develop the capacity of decentralization, that is recognizing also the importance of subjects who are different from the ones closer to our culture.

Through a comparison between the 13th century and today, the activity raises awareness of the fact that cities’ destiny depends on trade and cultural network they are linked to, networks change in history, and the most important networks haven’t always been in the hands of the “North-Western” world.

At the same time, the activity helps to place local dynamics in bigger geographical scales (increasing the capacity of transcalarity), to grasp historical discontinuity and to develop the capacity of decentralization, that is recognizing also the importance of subjects who are different from the ones closer to our culture.

Comparing the situation of the Aztec and Inca populations before and after the arrival of Europeans, the activity raises awareness of the effects of colonialism on the development of social iniquity and on the transformation of nature.

Through the representation of the Last Ice Age and its consequences, the activity raises awareness of the role of the nature in the history of humanity.

The comparison between the two planispheres raises awareness of the existence of different ways of representing the world: both the projections include a message of equity and/or iniquity, hierarchy and/or equality among communities.
This activity helps to develop the capacity of decentralization, that is observing the same phenomenon also from different unusual perspectives.

Through the visualization of the current situation, the activity aims to promote awareness on the issue of plastic pollution in the world and the degree of responsibility of human beings for it. At the same time, the activity aims to develop both the ability to grasp the interdependencies underlying major global issues and the ability to examine a problem through different geographical scales (transcalarity).

The images aim at creating awareness about the relationship between energy sources stored over millions of years and continually burned in our daily activities, and the resulting environmental and social consequences. At the same time, the activity aims at promoting the ability to grasp global interconnections and adopt a socially and environmentally responsible behaviour.

Showing the linguistic diversity of North America before and after the arrival of the Europeans, this activity aims at achieving 3 objectives: to promote awareness of the loss of cultural diversity caused by European colonialism; to stimulate the ability to examine the same issue through different geographical scales (transcalarity); to increase sensitivity towards the protection of current linguistic minorities.

By showing what were the great trade routes during the centuries before the conquest of the Americas, this activity aims to make people understand that in history all economic systems know phases of ascent and decline.