Within the scope of the project “Dialogar e Agir por mais Igualdade na R.A.M.”, the two editions of the School of Associativism and Human rights took place.
This School, both in Funchal and Porto Santo, had the activity plan subdivided into two moments, with different formats: on the first day, in a classroom context and, on the second, in an external practice, with the community.
Funchal
The School's debut took place in Funchal where, through non-formal education dynamics, participants realized what underlies Human Rights, the equality and inequalities that exist in the world, particularly in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and what role and active voice they have and can enhance.
In order to implement the apprenticeships, a challenge was proposed to young people: to develop an awareness campaign that was not just a theoretical reflection. The objective was for the participants to experiment, put into practice and feel what happens when they experience, in the field, the themes studied.
It was precisely from this challenge that the second day of this training in Funchal started, with the motto of the campaign “Have you visited a Museum, today?”.
The participants designed an Outdoor Museum and chose, as a strategic place, a square near a church, to be able to capture the largest number of people, on a Sunday morning. About 50 people were involved in this activity while strolling along Rua das Pretas, in Funchal, a street chosen to create the "open-air museum".
Guests were encouraged to write or draw on emerging themes: poverty, housing, health and education. “Poverty can be avoided”, “Beware of the growth of local accommodation”, “The Planet is our home” and “Creating conditions to retain talent” were some of the warnings, reflections and recommendations of those who participated in this museum. In the end, those involved also had the opportunity to share, in writing, a good deed they had done and read about another, done by someone who had previously passed through there.
The two dyas ended with the feeling of mission accomplished! AIDGLOBAL having perceived that young people left with the right energy to continue to have a voice and practices that defend Human Rights. And the participants, with the awareness of knowing that they are capable, with many or few resources, of managing to make a difference, on any day, at any time, in any place.
Porto Santo
The following weekend (January 28 and 29), the School of Associativism and Human Rights arrived in Porto Santo and, although activities were carried out in the same way as the edition of Funchal – a classroom learning strand and a practical activity aimed at the community — some dynamics were adapted.
Almost two dozen young people reflected on the importance of Human Rights, shared personal experiences and imagined possible youth associations in Porto Santo, highlighting challenges and identifying possible solutions.
In the second phase, unlike the edition held in Funchal, the challenge was to position young people as active citizens, guiding them in the systematization of proposals for improvement on the identified problems. In the end and proud of the work done, the participants suggested sending the proposals to the Mayor of Porto Santo.
The email was sent and all those who enrolled in this Winter School with the purpose of “learning more” and “meeting new people” met their expectations!
These were two unique days in which young people debated, with one voice, a single cause: the defense of human rights.
The project is promoted by AIDGLOBAL, in partnership with the University of Madeira, and funded by the EEA Grants ActiveCitizens Program, with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Bissaya Barreto Foundation as Operator.
