Through the ETOS Initiative, the TPO Foundation has awarded a grant to the project entitled <strong>''Towards Understanding With Knowledge''</strong>. Students aged 15 to 18 from four schools: ''Maarif Koledž'', General Gymnasium St. Joseph (sv. Josip), Catholic Medical School and The Third Gymnasium Sarajevo participated in the project. They were later joined by students of the Secondary School of Applied Arts. The project coordinators were Sedžida Hadžić and Selvira Mašnić. The project was implemented from May to November 2019.
<strong>The primary objective of the project</strong> was to raise awareness of diversity in school and the world through developing the skills of observation, critical thinking and creating a good learning environment where diversity is promoted with the involvement of the local community, parents, non-governmental and religious organizations.
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<strong>ACTIVITIES HELD:</strong><br />
<strong>Activity 1. Workshops on raising awareness about diversity.</strong> The workshops were led by Selvira Mašnić, Miroslav Bagara and Sedžida Hadžić. The participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the theoretical and practical framework of the concepts of ethics, tolerance, openness and solidarity. Particular attention was paid to the concepts of identity, interculturalism and multiculturalism. Attendees have viewed a YouTube educational film by Ted Talks that used them as motivational one.<br />
<strong>Activity 2. Introducing students the concept of Home Work Learning Space.</strong> The interactive workshops were led by Selvira Mašnić, Ivan Perić, Senada Salihović and Sedžida Hadžić with support of Mirza Rastoder. The students watched an didactic video from Christian theology that spoke about the openness, solidarity, tolerance and ethics of Jesus Christ. After the workshops, a <strong>plenary session</strong> was held on the questions: What is common to monotheistic religions? Should we respect each other more in BiH? Does the golden rule ask us which religion or nation we are? Do I need to change my awareness of who my close people are? Then the students had<strong> interactive exercises to improve teamwork</strong>.<br />
<strong>Activity 3. The Sacral Heritage – A Classroom in the Heart of Sarajevo: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Gazi Husrev Bey's Mosque, Church of St. Anthony of Padua and Ashkenazi Synagogue.</strong> Selvira Mašnić, Sedžida Hadžić and Ivan Perić made a tour of the sacral heritage in the center of Sarajevo. By visiting these facilities, the students empirically learned about their cultural, religious and aesthetic values ​​and looked at the components by which these religions are compatible. The students were introduced to these objects by Don Anto Meštrović, Abid Mujkić and Friar Marinko Pejić, with the message that sacral objects are the meeting place.<br />
In order to watch movie about this activity, click here:<br />
<strong>Activity 4. Art as a universal language – art workshop.</strong> Students learned to shape artworks through a creative process and thinking about the theme of interculturalism as a comparative advantage, using different techniques and sent messages of joy and beauty of living in the BiH capital. In addition, the students saw that art is a common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations.<br />
This project directly educated 30 students while indirectly educated 250 final year students when distributing information and inviting them to participate in the project. 8 teachers have been empowered for interreligious dialogue, while all teachers from project participating schools have been informed through Teachers' Councils and Professional Teams.<br />
<span style=’font-size:12.0pt’><span style=’font-family:"Times New Roman",serif’>I</span></span>n order to watch movie about this activity visit: <a href=’https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=539085060186272′ target=’_blank’>https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=539085060186272</a><br />
