The project responds to the need existing in the Slovak school environment, which does little to to equip students and teachers with tools for critical thinking and open dialogue. This pre-defined project therefore aims to enrich an offer of the civic sector in the countering this situation and disturbing trends.
Project is implemented through the following components:
- Building a joint platform for countering hate speech, fake news and anti-democratic propaganda
Establishment of the platform includes of a resource centre - physical network of experts and online tools; advocacy activities (high level meetings with governmental stakeholders); organising platform events (at least two). - Support for the development of a democratic and participatory school environment that promotes critical thinking and reflection through the development of tools and mechanisms in order to assist in teaching controversial topics such as extremism, hate speech, bullying and the Holocaust (output 3.1) through an Open School Programme.
The Open School Programme was first be established by funding provided by the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia, from 2018-2020. The second phase of implementation shall be funded by PDP 1 and ensure continuity of the project. The Open Schools programme shall include: two nationwide forums; publishing quarterly newsletter; a project website. Through the project 10 youth lecturers will trained for peer-to-peer teaching, class teaching will be delivered by peer trainers, active learning methods for teachers will be provided and training for representatives of School parliament will be organised. 5-10 schools will be involved in the project.
Key target groups of the first activity include young people, looking for information on the internet and social networks, for the second activity it is elementary school children and as well as teachers. Target groups will benefit by learning new skills and tools for media literacy and democratic debate.