School Creative Activities - projects

QUI TACET....

Qui tacet, consentire videtur.
(Silence is a sign of approval.)

The end of the twentieth century was marked by numerous wars, ethnic cleansing, genocide and civil wars around the world - generating countless innocent civilian victims. The wars in the former Yugoslavia during the nineties were an integral part of the global atrocities entailing mass murder, and violations of international conventions and civilizational values and norms.

As future responsible citizens of planet Earth, we voice our stands in a peculiar way and urge the responsibility of citizens around the globe, stressing that silence and ignoring what is happening "way out there" represents a form of support and justification, as well as a major stumbling block in the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

DECODING THE PAST

Prompted by the Serbian language and literature curriculum for first grade of secondary school (the Epic of Gilgamesh), by the sociology (culture and society) curriculum, and by the preparatory classes in general culture, we have initiated a series of lectures on the most important scriptures in human history titled "Decoding the Past".

The main objective of these courses is to introduce students to the conventional interpretation of ancient scriptures and their importance in building and maintaining the collective identity of certain groups of people, but also to present the scientific studies that unveil the mythological elements in these writings. Using a critical approach we analyze the genesis of universal symbols and messages, and we also learn about different cultures and civilizations, familiarizing ourselves with the documents upon which they are founded.

In the previous lectures we reiterated what the Bible is and how it was created; when was the Old Testament canonized, when was this done with the New Testament, and how are they connected. We have also analyzed which new scientific discoveries made relative some well- established interpretations of these writings, as well as the way these documents affect the daily lives of modern people. Following the genesis of "God's revelations" we also learned about the basic structure and message of the Koran, and of the supporting writings in Islamic culture.

The coming lectures will deal with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, two ancient writings that represent the foundation of Hindu cultural tradition; and with the collection Dhammapada which exposes the Buddhist ethical teachings, etc... Through Comparative analyzes of individual works, such as the Bhagavad-Gita and The Mountain Wreath, we will point out the universal message of these works which were written at different times and in different cultural and linguistic circles.

SAY NO TO RACISIM!

In memory of the 69 people who protested against the racist apartheid policies and were killed for it on March 21st 1960 in the South African township of Sharpeville, the General Assembly of the United Nations decided to declare March 21 International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Joining the various activities that will mark the International Day against Racism are all over the world - from March 17th to 25th, we have organized several lectures which appeal for equality of all men. Under the slogan "Say NO to racism" lectures have been held about the basic ideas and activities of the most important human rights activists of the twentieth century like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi; a number of terms such as apartheid, segregation, discrimination, civil initiatives, non- violent resistance have been presented... We also discussed the ways of combating racial prejudices and stereotypes in our society. The students attending the IB programme took active part in the implementation of this project; its final phase was marked by the designing of the affirmative poster "All men were born equal" and of the anti-racism badge.

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO...

The affirmative short film, "I have the right to..." promotes fundamental human rights proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

REACT!

In addition to numerous topics covered by the SCA program (power of prejudice, symbols, moral dilemmas, mass culture...) the "human rights" issue has also been covered in a way that fourth grade students implemented various ideas prompted by their social studies curriculum. The main objective of these activities is to educate students about the function and the importance of human rights and freedoms, about the development of personal responsibility and the ability to protect both personal and other people's rights and freedoms, as well as the propagation and promotion of tolerance and understanding.

The first result of these activities is the affirmative short film dealing with gender discrimination and violence against women. "React!" - as the basic message (to suppress violence against women) and the striking dramatization, allow the film to promote civic activism and invokes the consciousness and the conscience of every citizen.