Children embrace social inclusion and social involvement – Bulgaria

Second multiplier event – town of Tryavna: June 10-11, 2022

The second dissemination event of the YESI project in Bulgaria was held in the town of Tryavna in the period 10-11 June, 2022.

The event was attended by 53 teachers and principals coming from different towns and villages in northern Bulgaria: Svishtov, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Pleven, Razgrad, Sofia, Lovech, Dryanovo, Knezha, Gabrovo, Polski Trambesh, Cherven bryag and, of course, the town of Tryavna.

The first day the teachers got acquainted through warm-up and get-to-know each other activities so that the participants could know their colleagues from other towns and fell free to talk about their successes and issues freely, but also, the introductory activities were exemplary to be implemented with the students. They were presented to the products of the YESI project and took part in interactive sessions that simulated real lessons, as described in the YESI Handbook for Teachers of Civic Education.

During the second day of the multiplier event we continued with the presentation of resources from the Civic Education handbook. The teachers participated in two simulation sessions from module “Human Rights – Children’s Rights” on the topic of “My right to opinion and expression” and from module “Active Citizenship” – the topic was “Care and Respect for Animals”. Mr. Tsvetomir Marinov from 75 primary school “Todor Kableshkov” in Sofia, who piloted the handbook with his students, made a detailed review of the activities he had done in class and the results he had achieved.

The participants shared that the event was really helpful and practical, they had lots of new ideas and were willing to make use of the YESI training resources with their students during the following school year 2022-2023.

First multiplier event – Bulgaria

Kyustendil: June 3-4, 2022

The first dissemination event of the YESI project in Bulgaria was held in the city of Kyustendil in the period 3-4 June, 2022.

The event was attended by 78 teachers and principals coming from different towns and villages in southwestern Bulgaria: Sofia, Pernik, Dupnitsa, Bozhurishte, Borovan, Mezdra, Kostenets, Glozhene, Samokov and, of course, the city of Kyustendil.

The first day comprised 5 sessions, during which the teachers got acquainted with the products of the YESI project and took part in several interactive sessions that simulated real lessons, as described in the YESI Handbook for Teachers of Civic Education.

We started with energizers and ice-breaking activities – highly valued with the temperatures outside. Then, with great pleasure and as a fun change at the end of the school year, the participants stepped in the shoes of students and took on different roles – children and adults; of visually impaired people and their helpers; of children who are subject to bullying.

The practical simulation sessions were moderated by Elena Lazarova and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silvia Tsvetanska.

During the second day of the multiplier event we continued with the presentation of resources from the Civic Education handbook. The teachers participated in two simulation sessions from module “Human Rights – Children’s Rights” on the topic of “My right to opinion and expression” and from module “Active Citizenship”. With the topic “Care and Respect for Animals”. Ms. Veneta Yordanova, who piloted the handbook with her students, also shared experience. She told the participants in the event how her fourth-graders, inspired by the training resource “Active Citizenship and Volunteering”, implemented practical activities in support of the refugees from Ukraine. They raised money by selling their drawings, made some musical performances and sold cup with plums (yes, plums which they picked up from a nearby public garden). Their campaign reached the hearts of passersby in front of the church “St. Sedmochislenitsi” in Sofia. The campaign resulted in raising a small but solid sum for the children, and they decided to provide it to help the children of Ukraine by contacting the actor Alex Alexiev to support his noble work.

The emotional charge was especially great, but all good things come to an end. We parted satisfied and with many new ideas.

MULTIPLIER EVENT – GREECE

Thessaloniki, Greece, 2 June 2022

The dissemination event of the YESI project in Greece was held in the city of Thessaloniki. Over 110 students and about 10 teachers were gathered all together in Thessaloniki’s Intercultural Centre, to share their outcomes and experience of the project. The event was attended by 73 guests (head offices of directorate of Primary Education, teachers and parents from schools of Thessaloniki, teachers and students of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and medical personnel of hospitals).

Despite the difficulties due to Covid-19 restrictions, teachers and students managed to implement the scheduled activities of the project during the academic years 2020 – 2022. The project was coordinated in Greece by NGO AENAO with collaboration of Directorate of Primary Education in East Thessaloniki. The participating schools were:

• 94^th Primary School of Thessaloniki
• 101^st Primary School of Thessaloniki
• 15^th Primary School of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki
• Primary School Palaio Agioneri, Kilkis
• Primary School Agios Antonios, Thessaloniki
• Primary School Tagarades, Thessaloniki
• Primary School of Jewish Community, Thessaloniki

Participating schools presented their outcomes through short activities, sketches and songs.

The multiplier event closed with the award of certificates to the teachers that participated in the project during the two academic years 2020-2022, and awards to students.