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Description
In Slovakia, we perceive a strong polarization of society on certain topics. There is a lack of cultivated - respectful debate on burning topics. The aim of the project is to put into practice the concept of so-called respecting debates. At the beginning, the moderators will be trained in cooperation with a Norwegian partner. In the next 10 months, they will organize model debates on local current topics in the regions of Slovakia. Ideological opponents or people from different branches of society will discuss. Also from the overlooked minorities e.g. Hare Krishna, Vietnamese community, Ruthenians, Ukrainian community, various immigrants, etc. But also from jobs whose meaning still needs to be explained: non-profits, charity, field social work, art, or non-gender-stereotyped jobs. These discussions should be "locally relevant", focusing on existing issues in the region, with domestic guests. Therefore, the dramaturgy of unifying experiences and the selection of interesting guests holding opposite views will always be done in cooperation with a local collaborator - the host. The aim is to try to understand the diversity and variability of identities in Slovakia. At the same time, the ambition is to change the narrative of the discussions into a non-aggressive, non-polarizing, respectful and center-seeking. The project partner Antena - sieť nezávislých kultúrnych centier will organize two events within the project. They will select 2 independent cultural centers where the debates will take place. They will also provide dramaturgy, and thus the unifying experiences of the previous discussion. The second partner of the Bjerkaker Learning Lab project will provide its expert, Sturl Bjerkaker, to train moderators who respect the debate. Sturla will also teach his Slovak co-trainer, who will later (ie after the end of the project) be able to organize trainings for those interested in moderating respectful debates.
Summary of project results
The project I listen to you was devoted primarily to the topic of depolarization in society and in communication. The goal of the project was to put into practice the concept of respectful discussions. The intention was to help civil understanding between different opinion groups throughout Slovakia. The biggest challenge, which was subsequently the reason for changing the project, was the reluctance of the invited guests - opinionally polarized - to participate in such a public discussion and at the same time respect its rules.
At the beginning, facilitating moderators were trained in cooperation with the Norwegian partner, who subsequently moderated 10 respectful discussions in various independent cultural centers and secondary schools in the regions of Slovakia. These sample discussions on local current topics stimulated the interest of other organizations in this format. A manual was prepared for the training of facilitating moderators, which was updated during the project and was finally published as a respectful discussion guide aimed at secondary schools. It is currently distributed throughout Slovakia. The project implementers organized 10 respectful discussions on various polarizing topics. Each discussion was made into a podcast and a video recording, which is available on public Internet channels. In some topics, the project increased public participation in civic activities - this result was particularly pronounced in the group of high school students, who were really deeply interested in topics that polarize society, which stimulated their interest in the event even more. It can be measured by the number of followers on the FB page of the project and the maintained personal contacts with many of them. The discussion about acceptance of otherness was initiated by high school students and they also helped with the organization. It is evident that the project had the greatest impact on the youth, which is especially important in the context of increasing interest in social and current topics. Thanks to him, young people feel heard and their interest in active citizenship increases.
Summary of bilateral results
The aim of partner Bjerkaker Learning Lab is to promote lifelong learning and strengthen democracy, local development and culture through cooperation in Norway and abroad. It promotes quality aging and lifelong learning. He also works with at-risk youth and truants in deprived regions. His portfolio also includes facilitating group processes, moderating and developing dialogue on various topics. All this experience was put to good use during the project in the form of the development of a methodical manual for facilitating moderators, which, after gathering experience from the project, was transformed into a Manual and was published and distributed to secondary schools. Expert input and consultations with the partner were irreplaceable. Bjerkaker Learning Lab sent its expert, Sturla Bjerkaker, to train respectful debate moderators. Sturla also trained his Slovak co-trainer, who will be able to organize training sessions for those interested in moderating respectful discussions. During the cooperation, the project implementers had the opportunity to compare the differences between Norwegian and Slovak society, their approach to respect and acceptance. The handbook of respectful discussion and the training of facilitating moderators are considered to be a joint result.