We don’t see democracy as a concept that stands in isolation from most current events – we believe just the opposite, in fact: we see democracy as a way to find the best answers to the most up-to-date and difficult questions. And, already well into its sixth month, we believe the war in Ukraine is at the very top of these questions.
This is a very short story about how our Living Democracy webpage could play a specific and very significant role in these difficult times.
To address to the challenges related to the Ukrainian refugees, UNICEF Georgia organised a series of 6 webinars in partnership with the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development and other educational agencies to support Ukrainian children and their teachers in Georgia. Two webinars were hosted and guided by Natia Natsvlishvili, Living Democracy team member in Georgia.
The main topics for webinars were: 1. Educational activities to support peace and 2. Educational activities to support the social and emotional development of children.
The Living Democracy webpage was the main tool for the webinars. After a short general presentation, selected activities from the materials for teachers and parents were presented.
Participants were able to receive detailed information on how to work with children on the following activities:
- Win-win solutions – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-1/
- A structured approach to conflict resolution – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-2/
- Brainstorming session on conflict and peace – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-4/
- The statues – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-5/
- Punishment versus positive conflict resolution – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-6/
- Minorities – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-7/
- Images of war and peace – Vol. 6 – https://www.living-democracy.com/textbooks/volume-6/chapter-8/exercise-8/
The webinars were held via the Microsoft Teams platform, meaning the participants were able to have practical interactions – asking questions, making comments and expressing their opinions. The webinars were recorded and uploaded onto the official Facebook page of the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development, where the number of viewers reached to 2,800 and with the Living Democracy team in Georgia continuing to receive positive comments and feedback on the materials.
We strongly believe that the Living Democracy webpage has real power to help us live in a better democracy.
