"Diversity Awareness" training

20 - 22 February 2004, Bulgaria

“The discovery of others is the discovery of a relationship, not of barrier”

Claude Levi-Strauss

The second training module for adult educators, named “Diversity Awareness” focuses on the issues of identity, culture, diversity and intercultural learning. The training took place from 20th to 22nd of February 2004 in Dolna Bania. (a small town close to Sofia).

The aims of this training are similar to the previous one dealing with the issues of prejudices and address again two levels:

• train adult educators with selected training approaches related to the main topic
• evaluate the training approaches and generally the suggested training structure

The training approaches this time included various interactive techniques, simulation and awareness raising exercises based on Kolb’s learning styles and involving a combination of cognitive, emotional and pragmatic learning, thus linking the head, the heart and the hand.

The total number of 24 participants represented a colorful mixture of ethnic Bulgarians, ethnic Turks, Pomaks (Bulgarian Muslims) and Roma people coming from different parts of Bulgaria: Devin and the region, Blagoevgrad, Gotze Delchev and the region, Novi Pazar, Karlovo, Kritchim etc.
Special participants to the trainings were also two imams from the Gotze Delchev region.

A special guest to the training was Mrs. El Batoul Zembib – project coordinator for the TUM project and trainer from “Odyssee” – a Dutch adult education institution. Her visit intended to achieve the transfer of good practices and exchange of training materials developed within the TUM project.

The participants in the training were greeted by the Chief Mufti of Bulgaria Mr. Fakri Sali, who expressed his satisfaction that such activities are taking place in Bulgaria and his hope that it will be an ongoing initiative and not only a one off event.

The feedback from the participants about the training will be considered and changes in the module will be made before its final inclusion in the handbook under preparation.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Emilia Ilieva at ilieva@iizdvv-bg.org

« Back to Regional Activities