Grant-making to Engage Youth in Post-conflict Rehabilitation

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In January 2009, EPF funded the Georgian Association of Education Initiatives (SIQA) to help children and adolescents overcome psychological trauma as a result of the recent Russia-Georgia conflict. Through the Values against Violence project, SIQA is using the Living Values Education module that has been implemented in more than 80 countries. The module works to develop values-based learning in conflict affected communities, overall development of the individual and a culture of positive values, such as peace, tolerance, respect, responsibility and unity. SIQA designed their module to promote an educational philosophy and practice that inspires and develops positive values in secondary schools of those areas affected by the conflict with Russia.

SIQA is working with teachers from secondary schools in Gori to facilitate the integration of people affected by the conflict into the community with respect, confidence and purpose. To date, the project team has trained 28 teachers of Gori Secondary School on silhouette theatre techniques to enable them to use this theatre methodology to enhance understanding, motivation and responsibility among children and adolescents to make positive social choices. In total, 2,500 children (aged 8-11) and youth (aged 13-16) received manuals focused on developing positive interpersonal relationships and a culture of tolerance.

SIQA has already organized seven community events, including an exhibition of drawings by those children involved in the training on the topic of positive life values, a theatre performance based on values against violence and a presentation of essays developed by students on the topics of peace, tolerance, respect and responsibility.