CDRSEE :: Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe

News

16-18 December, 2011 – History Education Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia. The Joint History Project's History Education Committee finalised its push to expand this highly successful history book series to cover more recent times. During a two-day meeting in Belgrade, the editors and contributors discussed the publication within a larger circle of participants and received input from a renowned international expert in the field of Southeast European History. The fruitful meeting was the last in a series of three meetings made possible by the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Institute for Sustainable Communities.

2 – 4 December, Dynamic Teaching Tools Concept Meeting in Thessaloniki – Some of the most accomplished educators and researchers from the region and from the United States gathered in Thessaloniki to create the framework for a new dynamic teaching methodology tool. This talented, multi-faceted group will ultimately publish a manual that will provide teachers with the latest research on teaching methods and ideas on how these methods can be used in their classrooms. While this project builds upon CDRSEE's highly successful Joint History Project, the information and ideas within will not be limited to history classes, but rather will be focused on the art of teaching in a rapidly changing society. The manual will be translated into six different languages. This was the first meeting, with the next scheduled for spring 2012 in Tirana. The project is funded by the European Union, under the IPA Programme.

1 December, 2011 – CDRSEE and the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) will kick off a new project in December, organising a series of lively debates about controversial regional issues and broadcasting these debates via major local TV stations throughout the region. The idea of “Similarities Between Differences” is to foster an exchange of ideas and a real debate about the issues that are plaguing these countries, impeding EU accession and reconciliation. This is not your everyday talk show. This series will bring together untainted, well-respected and unbiased individuals from a wide field of social sciences, including anthropology, ethnology, cultural studies, applied ethics and many others. The topics will not be easy or comfortable, but the wider debates that spring from this series can lead to real solutions and a mutual understanding. More information on the EFB is available at www.balkanfund.org.

Read all news

Projects - The Recycle Monster

The Recycle Monster: Don't Show it, Throw it!

The CDRSEE has been long committed to the development and strengthening of civil society throughout the region, and is delighted to be in a position to jointly develop and implement a project such as this one.

With environmental challenges topping the global agenda, the CDRSEE feels that there is no better way to make a difference than to start here at home. Educating the city’s youth, tomorrow’s active citizens, on one of the most important aspects of environmental protection, i.e. recycling, is paramount to bringing Thessaloniki to the forefront of Southeast European Civil Society.

OUR PROJECT
”Don’t Throw it, Show it!” is a joint project of the CDRSEE and the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT).

The management team is made up of the 9 students and the professor of the Civil Society (POL 335) class at ACT, with the input of the Project Managers of the CDRSEE.

Our aim is to promote the values and principles of sustainable development in Thessaloniki through the involvement of the city’s youth. This highly educational project was created by young people for young people, aiming directly to respond to the needs of the group it is addressed to.

THE GOALS of our project are to:

Encourage environmentally and socially responsible behavior in the next generation of Thessaloniki’s citizens;
Educate Thessaloniki’s youth, and through them, Thessaloniki’s citizens, on the importance and methods of recycling as a step in creating sustainable environment; and to
Foster environmental sentiment and action among the students of Thessaloniki through participation in a recycled art competition.

ACTIVITIES

Large scale Recycling Awareness-raising campaign in schools and on line.
Educational campaign: from November 2009 to May 2010 in schools. Children will be taught about recycling through an artistic endeavour: creating art out of recyclable materials. All of the works of art will be entered into a competition / exhibition, to be judged by local artists.
Recycled Art Exhibition & Competition: a high profile and interactive recycled Art Exhibition is planned to take place over 2 days in Aristotle Square on 8-9 May 2010.
Post-event activities: The winning pieces of art will be exhibited after the event in relevant and highly visited locations. The website will remain and results will be disseminated

OUR EVENT: THE ART EXHIBITION
On 8-9 May 2010 an exhibit of all of the works of art entered into the competition by children and students will take place; a ‘recycling dance’ which will be repeated many times throughout the day; presentation of prizes for the art pieces in each category (awarded by a jury of local artists) and stands with information and advice. The relevant units of the Municipality (such as environment, cleanliness, education) will be invited to participate in the event.

OUR PARTNER
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is the higher education division of Anatolia, a not-for-profit educational institution that dates back to 1886. ACT is an independent American college chartered by the State of Massachusetts in the United States and accredited by NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. Through its educational, cultural, professional and service activities, ACT seeks to contribute actively to the wider communities of Greece and Southeast Europe.