Strengthening of teamwork and discussion skills of young people

Association of Election Officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina (AEOBiH) in partnership with the Czech NGO Agora CE implemented the project "Strengthening of teamwork and debating skills of young people" in the period February 2013 - January 2014 in cooperation with 16 secondary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project is implemented thanks to funds from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USA.

The aim of the project was to activate critical thinking among young people in BiH and to increase their interest in public life and strengthen mutual understanding and tolerance among younger generations of different ethnic groups in BiH. In this way, young people are encouraged to become active participants in public life.

The project was based on proven methodologies and educational programs Agora CE. I consisted of two main parts. The first part included educational workshops in communication skills for high school students, and the second part of the competition in debating where students are able to apply what they have learned. Discussions focused on the current and interesting topics from the social and political life, and are based on certain advocacy role, which allowed students to leave his old behavior and prejudices.

The implementation of the project was attended by 574 students from 16 secondary schools of Bosnia and Herzegovina who are educated about the positive and analytical approach to the problem of how to communicate and express their views, and how to choose and use arguments. During the debate student had to be based on the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and not just to one entity or one nationality. This gave us hope that the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be less and less divided into entities or nationality.

For more information you can visit AEOBiH website [www.aeobih.com] (http://www.aeobih.com), or contact Zvjezdana Dragovic, Executive Director of the e-mail zvjezdanad@aeobih.com.ba.