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Description
Low civic engagement rates in Bulgaria are mainly due to both structural factors and cultural models handed down between generations. The project aims at creating a tool for civic education and media literacy for students from 5th to 12th grade (including students from Roma origin). A methodology will be developed covering 1) search for objective information when opinions and positions, rational argumentation and critical attitude to sources of information are formed; 2) communication culture with mutual listening and openness to the other’s opinion, identification of collective interests, reaching compromise decisions; 3) democratic values, including tolerance, pluralism as well as sense of empowerment and responsibility for the social and political processes in the country; 4) methods of interaction between trainers - schools and learners, involvement and sharing of responsibilities. While under development, the tool will be applied in partner schools, tested and updated. Trainers will involve students in small-scale projects initiated with their support on various topics. The project will create opportunities for students to be proactive, critical, have knowledge and positions on current publicly important topics, stimulating their civic awareness. The outcomes will be summed up in a report which will be made available to the public and submitted to the Regional Inspectorate of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science to help integrate civic education in the learning and growing up of young people. Teachers from 3 schools will be trained.