BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA/MONTENEGRO/SERBIA – Within the third RYCO Open Call for Project Proposals, supported by the Federal Republic of Germany, the Center for psychological support “Sensus” on behalf on the Gymnasium Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with JU Srednja pomorska škola – Kotor from Montenegro and Zemunska Gimnazija from Serbia, implemented the project “Intercultural learning: from history to future” which took place from January 2020 to March 2021.
The main issue that the project tackled is the lack of opportunities and capacities of young people for intercultural dialogue and learning. It increased intercultural learning and competences among youth from ethnically diverse communities through workshops and sports activities which facilitate practical experience with intercultural dialogue.
“We are very proud and thankful to our staff, partner schools and all the participants for their effort and enthusiasm to work and contribute to this project despite all the difficulties brought to us by the pandemic. The project managed to achieve its purpose, and that is to be together, to feel safe, and realize that when we get the opportunity to really talk and actively listen to each other, in person or online, we will learn that our similarities are much bigger than our differences,” project representatives stated in their remarks.
Speaking of key insights from the project, one of the trainers, Ms Adela Memić, added: “It was incredible to meet and learn with so many young and enthusiastic people, who found interaction with pupils from other places as the most useful thing during the whole process.”
Strengthening meaningful cooperation among participating schools and students in the project enabled them to foster cooperation and mutual understanding and dialogue.
“Our trainers had a great approach to every topic we worked on. They paid equal attention to every participant and took care of our needs during the whole program. I liked that they took into account our opinions and recommendations and included them in the workshops. This training helped me understand new perspectives on interculturality and I’m grateful for that,” one of the young participants in the project, Ena, underlined.
“Everything was useful, but the biggest thing for me was that I always felt safe and comfortable to say what I think. In the future, I think any activity related to non-formal education would be useful,” another young participant, Marko, said.
In conclusion, young participants developed new skills on intercultural learning and made new life long friendships that will help them stay connected and active in their societies.
