Manual 2

"Free Zone in High Schools" project continued with publishing of the second edition manual for Civil Education teachers.  New manual offers 10 issues, as proposed by the Board of Civil Education Teachers, illustrated by 22 movies.   Some of new issues/problems/rights covered are: media and manipulation, peace and world security, invisible state - issues of migration, EU related topics, natural environment, activism, equal opportunities for the disabled, personal freedoms, and right to life.

Teachers who already used films in classrooms during the school year of 2007/2008 gave their comments and suggestions, upon which we made a new selection of 22 short films.  These films have been taken from three different programs:   "Visions of Europe" - 25 five-minute films on European Union, made by renowned directors from EU member states (http://www.visionsofeurope.dk/); "Media that matters" short film festival (http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/) and "Gestures of Reconciliation" - series of short films, result of an open competition of the Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future" and Goethe Institute (www.goethe.de/Ins/cs/bel/acv/flm/2007/sr2628913v.htm).

As with the first edition of the manual, every issue is accompanied by a short description of the film shown in classroom for that occasion; vital information on subjects and problems addressed are listed also.  Suggestions for possible use of the film within the curricula are given, as well as the activities scenarios, free to be used by teachers and students inside or outside of the classroom. 

Our mission is to introduce film as a practical aid to Civil Education teachers, to assist students in reaching better understanding of societal issues, to initiate constructive debate among students, and develop their skills of empathy and critical thinking.  We feel it is extremely important to assist young people in dealing with traumatic issues of the modern world in a constructive way, one which will help them to not only learn about human rights, but to also understand and practice them in everyday life.