News

News from the Field: Teacher-Training in Living and Learning Democracy, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDEF supports a project implemented by CIVITAS for “Teacher-Training in Living and Learning Democracy.” Addressing the crucial need to foster acceptance and subscription to democratic values, the project pays special attention to human rights, intercultural understanding, and empowerment and promotes joint efforts to realize human rights by means of civil society networking. It brings together teachers, students, education and media representatives, members of all ethnic groups and national minorities, especially Roma, people with special needs, and youth. In this way, it builds bridges between communities by exploring questions of identity, human rights, democracy, civic participation and activism.

In June 2009, CIVITAS conducted two three-day workshops with teachers in Banja Luka and Mostar. With UNDEF support, the workshops use education to promote human rights and the capacity of teachers and students to influence government policies through democratic practices.

The workshops allowed teachers -- key multipliers of knowledge and values -- to increase their knowledge in civic competence, citizen active participation and awareness and understanding of human rights. Group work included practice exercises solving community problems resulting from violations of human rights by influencing public policy making.

Participants expressed that the program and materials will improve their experience in the classroom, their communication with colleagues and students, and increase critical thinking, civic competences, cooperation, teamwork, and community activism.

In this way UNDEF and CIVITAS are contributing to a long term democracy based on common citizenship, tolerance, human rights trust and peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

^ Back to top

Return to homepage