Core features of the practice
Organisation:
Institution name: ANTIGONE - Information and Documentation Center on Racism, Ecology, Peace and Non Violence
Institution type: Non-profit, non-governmental organisation
Institution URL: www.antigone.grFormat:
Training, Workshop, Instructional materialTarget population:
Students, Young people, Educators in formal settingsCost (per practice):
FreeSetting:
SchoolThemes:
Racism, Xenophobia and other prejudices, Human rights/discriminationCore activities:
Group work, Group discussion, Creative activity
Additional information about the practice
Number of participants:
More than 100Age of target population:
6-10 yearsAdditional specifics:
Educationally and socially disadvantaged groups:, schools in economically and socially disadvantaged areas, schools in Roma communities, schools in prisons, etc.Topics and objectives:
Educational programmes in collaboration with the school community: Workshops for pupils about: human, children’s and disability rights, racism, gender, school violence. The workshops are held in classrooms with pupils, and as visits to museums, libraries, cultural foundations, school events, Cultural departments, etc.; Workshops for teachers on informal education methodology and methodological tools used every day in the classroom; Experiential workshops for parents on diversity and social inclusion of pupils in the school. Objectives: Raising pupils’ awareness on human rights; Developing personal, social and learning skills; Cultivating creativity, imagination, critical consciousness; Interaction in school and society with respect, equality and participation; Training teachers on informal education methodology; Informing parents and raising awareness; Fighting forms of negative bias. Educational programme on peer mediation in schools. ANTIGONE published the guide “School mediation. A guide to solving conflict in school among peers”, and implements a relevant programme in primary schools and junior high schools, which includes workshops for pupils, school teachers and parents. Objectives: Promotion of school mediation as a practice for peaceful communication in the school community; prevention of conflict, violence and bullying in schools; development of conflict resolution skills among pupils; exercising active listening skills; cultivating trust, respect and equality.Materials used:
Audiovisual material, Craft supplies, quizzes, puzzles, question cards based on the activity being carried out
Link to the material:Material produced:
Written materialSequence of activities - methodology:
The programmes focus on active participation and exchange of learning experiences and aim at developing empathy and awareness towards human rights and bias issues. Through experiential play, participants develop imagination, creativity and critical consciousness and become part of a social whole, with respect and equality. The workshops foster critical thinking, respect, solidarity and active participation in the learning process. Informal education activities that raise children’s awareness on human rights and bias need teachers to create friendly learning environments. Teachers are also required to adapt informal learning tools according to the learning objectives, needs and particularities of the classroom. The activities proposed can be applied in parallel to the formal educational programme. In order to be functional, groups are small with free space for activities. Teachers and participants sit in circle in the second part of every activity, which includes a group discussion. Activities are focused on active participation, cooperation, creation and freedom of expression. The techniques usually comprise case studies, creative expression, simulation, role play, dramatization and fiction, brain storming, etc. In the first phase of the activity, participants can actively participate and work in teams in creative and pleasant ways. A group discussion follows, where group members share their experiences, empathise with one another, and study the educational objectives.Length of activity:
Up to 5 hoursIs the activity digital?:
NoLanguage(s) in which activity can be delivered:
English, Greek, OtherIs specialist knowledge or professional training required?:
YesIf yes, which type?:
Other, training, experience in the methodology of informal education
Target population
Components of the practice
Accessibility and replicability
Qualitative Details
Has this practice been evaluated?
YesBy whom?:
Participants, Informal non-participant observer, Internal evaluatorBy what means?:
Informal verbal feedback, Qualitative written feedback, Quantitative surveyCore content knowledge and transferable skills:
We want pupils to develop critical thinking skills when it comes to matters of rights; we want them to cultivate feelings of empathy, solidarity and tolerance; to question stereotypes and bias; to take action in favour of human rights; to learn to function together and equally; to apply methods of peaceful conflict resolution; to develop democratic views and a democratic outlook on life.Indicators of success:
From 2012 to date, more than 18,000 pupils and approximately 1,000 teachers and parents have participated in the ANTIGONE educational programmes (over 1,000 workshops have been held). Initially, the educational programme for schools was intended to last for only one school year and included a specific number of workshops. However, due to its remarkably positive results and high demand by all the more schools, it is continuing for the sixth year in a row, and has been implemented in the prefectures of Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, Pella, Imathia, Kozani and Ioannina. All these years ANTIGONE has consistently supported the programme despite the difficulties in finding resources for its implementation on such a large scale. “Schools for Change” includes different topics and various activities per unit, and therefore each workshop can be adapted in collaboration with each school based on the age, interests, needs and expectations of each group. The “Peer Mediation in Schools” programme is addressed to all members of the school and is an effort to help the school take one step closer to democratic and peaceful coexistence. The innovative methodology proposed by the programmes meets participants’ need for communication, freedom of expression and cooperation in a safe and pleasant environment. The evaluations gathered from participants of all profiles and ages are encouraging and inspire ANTIGONE to continue its cooperation with schools in the years to come.Educational coordinator contact details:
Name: Athanasia Telliou
Email address: athanasia.telliou@antigone.gr
How many times?:
10
Scalability
The RETHINK project is concerned with bridging formal and informal education. This section explores the factors that make a practice adaptable.
Key factors for successful implementation:
Other factor – please specify, fixed group with a limited number of participants – ideally 15-18 individualsMain challenges to teachers adapting this practice for their students:
According to teachers, the main problems they face is lack of time (due to the curriculum’s high workload, mainly in secondary education), lack of confidence as they are not particularly familiar with the methodology of informal education, as well as the lack of incentives (fatigue, workload, etc.). There are very few cases involving reports of resistance from principals, colleagues and parents.Availability of guidance/training/replication materials (and in what language/format currently):
ANTIGONE offers its programmes’ educational material free of charge to teachers and instructors who wish to coordinate similar practices. Contact e-mail: athanasia.telliou@antigone.grOther comments or details:
This practice is suitable for ages from 6-25 (not only 6-10 as indicated in Section II question 2) This activity usually takes up to 5 hours (as indicated in question 10) but can also be adapted to be a long-term peer mediation activity in schools.