Information campaign against misinformation about sexuality education in Lithuanian schools

Project facts

Project promoter:
Observe rights(LT)
Project Number:
LT-ACTIVECITIZENS-0114
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€4,500
Final project cost:
€4,500
Programme:

Description

Following the debate over the suspension of the Life Skills programme, LMS expressed support for it and was supported by youth and human rights organisations. The notice to politicians emphasizes that attempts to eliminate sex education topics are harmful to proper education. Additionally, disinformation campaigns against the Life Skills Program are particularly active in Lithuania, fake news are widespread on social networks and the content of the program is and misinterpreted. This is a national issue that can have a direct negative impact on sex education in schools. Thus, the project will aim to provide accurate information related to the content of the Program and sexual education. In order to explain the benefits of the program, information campaigns will be organized, and for the effective implementation of the program, a round table discussion will be initiated to which NGO representatives are invited. After the discussion, the recommendations are sent to the relevant authorities.

Summary of project results

Following the debate over the suspension of the Life Skills programme, Lithuania''s Union of Schoolchildren expressed support for it and was supported by youth and human rights organisations. The notice to politicians emphasizes that attempts to eliminate sex education topics are harmful to proper education. Additionally, disinformation campaigns against the Life Skills Program are particularly active in Lithuania, fake news are widespread on social networks and the content of the program is and misinterpreted

The project aimed to provide accurate information related to the content of the Program and sexual education. In order to explain the benefits of the program, information campaigns were organized, and for the effective implementation of the program, a round table discussion was initiated to which NGO representatives were invited. After the discussion, the recommendations were sent to the relevant authorities.
 

The information campaign reached a significantly higher number of people than foreseen in the project application, but also drew attention to the increased activity of "bots" and "trolls" targeting the Organisation''s activities.  The project disseminated the information to a larger number of Facebook groups than planned. Accordingly, in line with the project''s objective, different Facebook groups were chosen to reach a larger and more diverse audience. Information was shared in groups in different cities and towns in Lithuania, as well as in groups bringing together different professionals (e.g. youth workers, social workers, psychologists, teachers). The aim was to enable the information and the information campaign developed during the project to be used as a tool for disseminating knowledge and working with young people or other target groups. During the roundtable discussion, main issues were highlighted and a list of suggesions sent out to relevant institutions.

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.