More information
Description
The project of „Young mediators“ is aimed to strengthening the school community and alternative dispute resolution - dispersal of peers mediation in educational institutions, in order to educate psychological resistance of children and teenagers, developing their co-operation, critical thinking, active public spirit, empathy and respect for each other skills. The aim of the project – developing a culture of pupils'' cooperation, leadership, critical thinking, empathy, respect, tolerance for each other and a non-violent attitude to human rights and freedoms. Age of target group – seventh and eighth class students – future young mediators and their adult coordinators (social educator, teacher, school psychologist and etc.) The aim of the project strengthen students emotional literacy competencies, critical thinking, co-operation and active public spirit skills and implement strategy of peers mediation in educational institutions, which could be applied in other educational institutions after the end of the project. The methods used in the project are effective and innovative (analysis of individual cases, ensuring communication between individual groups providing services, pilot application of the methodology, group training). In order to develop the psychological resistance of children and teenagers by developing their skills of co-operation, leadership, critical thinking, active public spirit, empathy and respect for each other skills, the activities provide in this project are effective and focus on the causes of problems (emotional maturity, literacy, conflict management, human rights, etc.). At the end of the project, there will be a team of young mediators prepared ready to apply peer mediation in their school and continue to act independently.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to develop students'' competences in cooperation, leadership, critical thinking, empathy and respect, tolerance for each other, and the creation of a non-violent and human rights and freedoms-oriented educational culture.
All the objectives set have been fully achieved:
1. To introduce the target group to civil rights by developing competences of cooperation, leadership, critical thinking, empathy and respect, tolerance for each other. Activities 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 were attended by 343 unique participants (planned 240), with a high level of interest in the schools and an increase of the planned number of participants.
2. Creating a non-violent educational institution culture focused on human rights and freedoms. The activities were targeted at selected participants. The activities were attended by the planned number of participants.
3. Raising public awareness of the need for young mediators in educational institutions, promoting public citizenship and voluntary participation in activities. The information was seen and read by at least 1567 visitors - members of the social network FB group "SCHOOL MEDIATION" (planned 1500 persons).
On the initiative of the lecturers and due to the great interest, an additional distance training for young mediators was held on 10-10-2023. Students from all schools participating in the project took part in the training.
The target group - pupils in grades 7-8 and professionals working in schools (social pedagogue, teacher, school psychologist, etc.) - was successfully reached. This was due to the cooperation agreements signed with the schools and the goodwill and willingness of the heads of the institutions to cooperate.
After the training in schools, the young mediators have successfully put their knowledge into practice, helping their peers to resolve problems and training volunteers to continue their activities in schools after they leave. The indirect beneficiaries - school communities - have a more peaceful atmosphere in their school communities, which leads to better working conditions, higher student achievement, and schools that are open to improvement and innovation.