Human Rights education in Slovakia and Norway – comparison of approaches and children’s views

Bilateral initiative facts

Promoter:
Ekopolis Foundation(SK)
Bilateral initiative number:
SK-ACTIVECITIZENS-BI010
Status:
Completed
Initial cost:
€15,000
Actual cost:
€14,567
Initiative Types:
Data collection
Report
Partners:
University of South-eastern Norway(NO)
Programme areas:

Description

Human rights education in Slovakia is a long-term persisting problem, which lies at the roots of many consequent issues, which still young democratic regime in the country is facing, including generally large acceptance of extremism, cultural clashes between liberal and conservative streams, and low level of understanding the democratic values.  

With the aim to take a closer look at the quality of human rights education in Slovak and Norwegian primary schools and its impact on pupils attitudes toward diversity, and to bring the information in the public discourse, the Fund operator undertook

Summary of the results

Human rights education in Slovakia had been a long-term persisting problem, rooted in many subsequent issues, including widespread acceptance of extremism, cultural clashes between liberal and conservative streams, and a low level of understanding of democratic values and processes.

With the aim of taking a closer look at the quality of human rights education in Slovak and Norwegian primary schools and its impact on pupils'' attitudes toward diversity, and to bring the information into the public discourse, the Fund operator undertook this research. By comparing the different approaches applied in Slovakia and Norway, the research sought to find effectives way to implement human rights education.

The analysis consisted of three parts, conducted in parallel in both countries in schools involved in the project:

1. Desk research – analysis of public policy documents and school curriculum

2. Individual interviews with teachers – the qualitative part of the research project focused on the experiences of teachers

3. Focus groups with children – to bring in authentic perspectives, perceptions, and views of children themselves

The report from the research included a comparison of both approaches and formulated recommendations for improvements. Slovak part of the research and preparation of the report was committed to CSOs CVEK (Center for Research of Ethnicity and Culture), in Norway University of South Eastern Norway in Drammen was involved in cooperation.

 

Information on the projects funded by the EEA and Norway Grants is provided by the Programme and Fund Operators in the Beneficiary States, who are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of this information.