One Last Chance Indeed

Pani učiteľky Ondziková a Bašistová sa aj cez prázdniny usilovne vzdelávali, a to aj na medzinárodnom tréningovom kurze o neformálnom vzdelávaní pre pedagógov a pracovníkov s mládežou v Holandsku. Niektoré z novonadobudnutých informácií o metódach ste už niektorí z vás aj zažili na vlastnej koži. Takéto sú ich pocity, z pohľadu pani B. (Takže ak máte možnosť zúčastniť sa nejakých E+ projektov, neváhajte!)

An ultimate test of self-reflection. That might probably be the best how I can now explain my experiences during the One Last Chance – Central European Edition training course, which took place in the enchanting Hobbit-like museal village of Orvelte, Netherlands, in days from 3rd till 10th August. We, 30 participants from Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Turkey, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, were hosted by the lovely people of Stitching Euromove, led by Giorgi Aronia, and were trained by absolutely unbeatable Ha Moment organization co-founders Olga Kuczynska, Sergio Goncalves and Jose Branco.

We were given the opportunnity to cover the basics of different techniques of non-formal education in general and conflict resolution in particular, mainly in connection to the concept of migration, like the Theatre of the Oppressed, gamification in learning through playing One Last Chance game, and conflict management, non-violent communication and empathy. Together with the empathy practice we experienced many different methods and techniques of non-formal approach to education, like The Secret Mission, Fishbowl discussion method, pictures-emotions correlations, poster creating, quotes discussion, drawing, empathy-sympathy game, different forms of group learning like creating group identities. Of course, we cannot forget cultural visit in Emmen, cultural night and organisations market.

But upon all of this what we experienced was the self-reflection time. Something what we forget about for the most time of our lives, what but is much more important in our lives than we actually admit and recognize. Just the mere situation of being with yourself and feeling secure, safe, understood and cared for. At least, I experienced that and now I cherish all the feelings, memories and experiences, because thanks to all the organizers, all the amazing participants, but mainly thanks to the experienced, skillful, but mainly human and tolerant trainers I was capable of revealing many things about myself, some of which really essential for me as a living human being and I am more than eager to continue challenging myself, mainly so I can challenge other people in my surroundings.

I personally felt like many of us experienced some change in their viewpoint on some aspects of society and life and I firmly believe that thanks to all the experiences all of us will make a difference in our communities and let the possible conflict situation somehow rise into a learning opportunity which is always priceless. Because as one philosophy says – you can have everything you possess stolen, but never the knowledge and experience. And what is the best, we can share it and multiply it countless times and create a neverending story of sharing, loving, caring and being the change in our lives so we can make a change in somebody´s else life. Even if just in one.

A big thanks to every person who had anything to do with this project. You made a difference in my life and I will do everything I can to honour you by continuing spreading the life-changing message of your work, because it might be our last chance indeed.