Teaching Tolerance

 

 Pictures from the modules can be seen here, publications here                                                                                                                                                 ” The ability to live together in a democracy does not come naturally. The knowledge, skills and values that are the preconditions of living in a democracy should be learnt and nurtured throughout life. While key concepts of democracy and human rights should be understood by children, values such as dignity, tolerance and respect for others, and skills such as cooperation, critical thinking and standing up for one’s rights cannot be taught in traditional ways. They should be learnt through experience and practise, by living and acting in a democratic environment and from the earliest possible age.”                         Maud de Boer- Buquicchiio                                           IMG_2655

Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Our aim is through the creation of a TOLERANCE CENTRE in the cultural centre ” the Casino”, Burgas to work with youth from Burgas region in order to:

  • to strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
  • to value human dignity and develop individual self-respect and respect for others
  • to develop attitudes and behaviours that will lead to respect for the rights of others
  • to promote respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity, particularly towards different national, ethnic, religious, linguistic and other minorities and communities
  • to empower youth towards more active citizenship
  • to promote democracy, development, social justice, communal harmony,solidarity and friendship among people and nations
  • to further support the activities of national institutions aimed at the creation of a culture of peace,based upon universal values of human rights, international understanding, tolerance and nonviolence.

Skills  developed:

  • Active listening and communication: being able to listen to different points of view, to express one’s own opinions and evaluate both;
  •  Critical thinking: distinguishing between fact and opinion, being aware of prejudices and preconceptions, recognising forms of manipulation;
  • Cooperating in group work and addressing conflict positively;
  •  Consensus building;
  •  Participating democratically in activities with peers;
  •  Expressing oneself with self-confidence;
  •  Problem solving. 

Attitudes  learned:

  • Respect for self and others;
  •  A sense of responsibility for one’s own actions;
  • Curiosity, an open mind and an appreciation of diversity;
  • Empathy and solidarity with others and a commitment to support those whose human rights are denied;
  • A sense of human dignity, of self-worth and of others’ worth, irrespective of social, cultural,linguistic or religious differences;
  •  A sense of justice and social responsibility to see that everyone is treated justly;
  •  The desire to contribute to the betterment of the school or community;
  • The confidence to promote human rights both locally and globally.

Start of project: October  2012

End: March 2013

Target group: teenagers 14 – 18 from the region of Burgas

Supported by Bulgarian American Society and Municipality Burgas 

 

 

 

 

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