PEACE EDUCATIONThe First Children's Embassy in the world – Megjashi in April 2011 started to implement activities for Peace Education, together with its partner organization KURVE Wustrow from Germany, with which it has a longstanding cooperation. The project aims at indicating the need for incorporating peace education in the teaching curricula, through promoting Peace and Non-violence as fundamental values ??in the educational system. In a series of 5 trainings for nonviolent conflict transformation and peace education, during a period of one and a half year, 12 professors (4 per school) and 6 youth peace educators will be engaged in the project. The trainees, after the first training in August/September 2011, had the task to start organizing the work of the youth clubs in their schools; while creating contents with which the youth will be sensitized through being active in the field of peace building.
This is a pilot project that should ensure the participation of professors and students in the creation of future curricula in the field of peace education. Therefore, one of the tasks of the project is to empower the participants to have an active stance in their environment, without violence; to make them aware about the many types of injustice, discrimination and violence; while transferring them the skills and knowledge that are important for active peace building, civic organization and nonviolent action.
In the second half of 2011 in the program for peace education the following significant activities were conducted:
Јuly 2011. Strategic planning. From 11-14th, 2011, within the framework of the Peace Education Program, workshops on Strategic Planning were organized. The workshops were attended by 12 representatives of the administrative and executive structures of Megjashi and 3 volunteers. In the process, priorities and objectives were redefined, programs and activities were defined, guidelines and strategies for the next 3 years were prepared, and a plan for the next 3 years was devised.
August/September 2011. Preparation and implementation of the First Training for Peace Education. The first training in the framework of the Peace Education Program was held from31.08.2011 to 04.09.2011 in "House of Art" in Kicevo. The participants in the training were 12 teachers from the high schools "Nikola Karev", "Zdravko Cvetkovski" and "Dr. Pance Karagjozov"; and 6 young peace educators 18-25 years old. During the training the following topics were processed: violence and nonviolence, understanding conflict, communication, teamwork, schools and peace education, work plans of the youth clubs ... As to the methodology of work, the interactive and the participatory method were used; by working in small groups, individual work, role playing, planned discussions, input from the trainers on given topics, etc.. The trainers were: Ana Bitoljanu from Miramida Center Grozhnjan Croatia, and Blerim Jashari from Tetovo.
Some statements from the participants of the training:
"The time we live in is very stressful and often I have the feeling that everyone cares only for him/herself and there is no interpersonal cooperation, understanding and respect. People are ready for conflict. I learned here that there are people who do seek and want change."
"I would have discussed more the problems in school such as: (alcohol, family problems, problems in the classroom-friendship, culture of behavior, ethical issues)."
"Thank you for the wonderful experience, for the new knowledge gained and for the chance to try to change the environment and the future for the better."
"Everything was useful and applicable, perhaps mainly the activities that can be conducted with students, City Game, communication, every technique fits perfectly in the work with students, ex. conflict, marginal group."
"Based on my experience so far I would not change anything, perhaps I might add more schools, I don’t know, maybe it takes more funding for it, but it would be nice if there was a school in which only Albanians study, so that we can see what kind of problems do they face."
For more check:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNqEVkYzXTo&feature=channel_video_title -МТВ Елена Јоциќ, мировна едукаторка.
3. September/December 2011. The establishment and commencement of the activities of the Youth Clubs. Clubs were formed in 3 high schools ("Nikola Karev", "Zdravko Cvetkovski" and "Dr. Pance Karagjozov"). Teachers, peace educators and students began the activities in the area of peace education. Workshops, visits, competitions ... were held. They organized activities among students from the three schools, for ex. a football match in which mixed teams by gender and ethnic lines participated. Sport in general, and sport activities in particular are possibilities for overcoming prejudices and stereotypes among young people and therefore they are an inseparable segment of the peace education program. The tournament was held on November the 2nd, 2011, and was organized by the "Zdravko Cvetkovski" high school.
For the activities of the Youth Clubs check more on:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.242486295807464.63256.100001382871995&type=3
http://24fudbal.com.mk/vesti/544/odrzan-turnir-vo-sggu-zdravko-cvetskovski-vo-organizacija-na-prvata-detska-ambasada-megjasi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmb4TgjHYv8
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.242486295807464.63256. 100001382871995&type=1
4. November 2011. The second training for Peace Education was held from November the 16th-19th, 2011 in Hotel "Alpina" Mavrovo. 20 people participated in the training, professors from the high schools "Nikola Karev", "Zdravko Cvetkovski", and "Dr. Pance Karagjozov"; peace educators and representatives of Megjashi. The trainers were: Ana Bitoljanu from Miramida Center Grozhnjan Croatia, and Blerim Jashari from Tetovo. This training processed more in depth the themes of nonviolent communication, the way of making decisions, the differences between violence and conflict, conflict analysis, the differences between peace education and humanitarian action, the construction and decomposition of peace.
Some statements from the participants of the training:
"The training covers the necessary elements and themes for understanding the concept, the idea and the goals of peace education. The methodology is very accessible and inspiring; it stimulates thinking and it provides with good ideas and guidelines for work in schools."
"Partly my expectations were met, although not entirely. I thought that more attention would be paid to stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and minority issues because in my opinion they are the most common problems and they initiate conflicts in the Republic of Macedonia."
"My expectations are met, especially since I learned many things and I felt great trust in the trainers and trainees.
"I was already acquainted with some of the things, but we have many new things and approaches that really opened up new perspectives with regard to what is peace education, and how to build it. I liked the practical examples and exercises that brought dynamism in the learning process."
"I learned a lot of new things. I got closer to the group (level up) and I met new members. I feel that there is trust and respect within the group, and desire for cooperation. I was filled with the energy needed for processing the new knowledge acquired."
“ I will try in a very similar way as our trainers, to stimulate young people to have similar opinions that will lead to their sensitization, so that they can adequately recognize violence; and stimulate their desire to act accordingly to overcome it."
"I will definitely apply many of the exercises and games here. I know how to access the children."
"I will try, through various activities, games and exercises (along with other members), to raise awareness for the necessity of spreading peace and greater tolerance among all."
"I look forward to the next seminar and I hope that we will be able to accomplish all the activities planned for the youth clubs in our school."
5. November 2011. Preparations of the Dance Theatre, as a technique for dealing creatively with conflicts. In the period from November 28th-30th, 2011, in the children’s resort ”Shula Mina” a seminar was organized in which 20 students from the “Zdravko Cvetkovski” high school were engaged in intensive activities in the field of nonviolent conflict resolution. Among other things they gave ideas, discussed upon the topic “What does Dance Theater mean?'', they gave opinions on tolerance as a concept and how much it is needed in a society, they prepared a choreography through which the idea and the desire for a more tolerant society was reflected. The workshops were held in the form of games and debates through which students (in a mixed ethnic composition) were dealing with themes that promote tolerance in a society; and in the future they themselves will promote the message of peace that Dance Theater as a tool entails. The trainer was Jelmaz Dervis, who is a choreographer and a Dance Theatre trainer.
6. From December 2nd-4th 2011, we organized a seminar on the theme Forum Theatre in Kocani, Gradce hotel. The seminar was attended by 18 students from the high schools "Nikola Karev", "Zdravko Cvetkovski", and "Dr. Pance Karagjozov." The purpose of the training was to prepare a Forum Theater play, with the goal of preventing violence and dealing with violence among peers. The Forum Theatre was the first experience that the student had with this technique. Given that the students came from different schools and did not know each other, the beginning of the seminar was dedicated on creating opportunities for them to get know each-other better, building group dynamics and cohesion. In a period of short time a high level of group trust was built which is of great importance in the process of Forum Theatre. The group confidence resulted in students sharing personal stories about real events which were related to the theme of the seminar. The trainer of this seminar was Vladimir Karaev.
7. Presentations of Dance Theatre and Forum Theatre. The plays that were prepared by the high school students who are members of the Peace Clubs, in the three high schools in Skopje "Dr. Pance Karagjozov", "Zdravko Cvetkovski" and "Nikola Karev", were held throughout December 2011, and they were followed by the students, the pedagogical staff and the management teams of the schools, by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, by the municipalities, by the media and by other organizations/institutions.
During all rehearsals, preparations and performances a positive atmosphere was present and the participants were extremely active, creative and committed. Such an atmosphere made a great freedom of expression and creativity possible. The support given by professors, peace educators and the management of the schools was extremely important for the implementation of all activities.
The Dance Theatre has been conducted within the framework of the project "Tell your YES – while promoting Peace Education in schools" funded by the French Embassy.
For more check on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv3LiFGEHqo&feature=plcp&context=C3609bf3UDOEgsToPDskJSDpAf6zkn75sC91SUgNIJ – Танц театар гимназија “Никола Карев”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdbevDuOSZc&feature=plcp&context=C395d1e2UDOEgsToPDskInve3TAQrhTEyuMQRm48vF - – Форум театар гимназија “Никола Карев”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i5iplqJNaQ&feature=channel_video_title%20- Alsat TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vz_g7BkkKg&feature=related - TV MTM
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.216741598381934.56119.100001382871995&type=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovhd-bTuJKE - МТВ, ТОП ТЕМА ШТОЕ Е ТОА МИРОВНО ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ?
8. OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Meeting with a group of journalists and civic activists from Northern Ireland
On October 3rd, 2011 through the Macedonian Center for International Cooperation a visit to the Children's Embassy Megjashi-Peace Education Program by a group of journalists and civic activists from Northern Ireland was organized.
The guests from Northern Ireland had the opportunity to become familiar with the Peace Education Program and the activities in the field of peace building that the Children’s Embassy Megjashi is carrying out since their formation until today.
- Coordination meeting of peace organizations
On November 28th ,2011, at the premises of the Children’s Embassy Megjashi a second coordination meeting of NGOs working in the field of peace, was held. The purpose of the meeting was to get organizations more familiarized with the current activities; share experiences of the implemented approaches and methods of work; and a discussion took place with regard to violence among youth inside and outside of schools, the causes, the background, and what can the NGOs do about it?
Representatives of the following organizations took part in the meeting: Peace Action– Prilep, Antiko- Skopje, Forum ZFD- Skopje and Struga, Centre for Conflict Management- Skopje, Rubicon, Doverba- Kumanovo, Majka- Kumanovo, CID- Kumanovo, Sumnal-Skopje, Centre for Balkan Cooperation LOJA- Tetovo, Council for Juvenile Delinquency Prevention- Kavadarci, Youth Educational Forum- Skopje, and the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi- Skopje. The next meeting will be organized in February/March 2012th from another organization. The first meeting was organized by the Forum ZFD.
All costs associated with the project are provided by the First Children Embassy in the World Megjashi thanks to the financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
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