Can school be a place where children and young people can speak freely in their own language about difficult but current topics, topics that are vitally important but taboo? Discussing and analyzing topics that are important for young people, related to gender-based violence and other types of violence, is a way to overcome prejudice and stereotypical thinking and behavior.

Such a space was created in 145 Primary School “Simeon Radev” Sofia, which is one of the partners in the project “Stories about the Power of Difference” implemented by the association “Reflective Learning-Bulgaria” with the financial support of the “Europe 2022” Program of the Sofia Municipality.

As part of the project, a podcast was held with teachers and students talking about the topic of violence prevention. Watch it here:

The project involved:

Ms. Desislava Kolchevska, school psychologist

Mr. Dancho Yovchev, art teacher

And the sixth grade students:

Ivet Karakasheva

Andrea Georgieva

Bogia Stankova

Philip Doykov

Emma Dimitrova

Ivaylo Todorov

Gabriela Stoycheva

Kristiyan Georgiev

Chris Al Thawil

Ioana Zlateva

Deya Nikolova

Alexander Ivanov

The project team was supported by Dr. Antoaneta Mateeva, a social work lecturer at the New Bulgarian University and a trainer on the topic of debates in the project. Here is what she shared: “It was a pleasure to work with Desislava Kolchevska, a psychologist, and Dancho Yovchev, a fine arts teacher, who, together with the children from the Debate Club at School 145, managed to master the methods of debate and storytelling in such a short time in order to state their position on the topic of violence against children. They showed that children not only have an opinion on this topic, but are also ready to actively get involved in overcoming this type of relationship and to assist children who have become victims of violence and abuse. Their presentation at the closing event showed that they possess all the basic skills of a good debater and can think and discuss in depth and scientifically substantiated such a difficult topic as verbal and physical violence.”

The podcast was filmed and produced by young activists: Yoana Pencheva (sociology student at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”) and Nikolay Dimitrov (cinema student at NBU). We thank them for their work and exceptional contribution to the project and the goals of the Sofia Municipality’s Europe 2022 Program!