Nizhyn educators join the Peace School initiative in the community

On June 18, a training session “Implementation of Restorative Practices in the Community Educational Environment. Practical Component” was held for social workers, practical psychologists and pedagogical workers of local schools of the Nizhyn district of Chernihiv region.

An important element of forming a safe educational space at the local level is the development of school mediation and the introduction of innovative restorative practices into the educational process.

Restorative programs (peer mediation, conflict mediation, decision-making circle, family group meetings, development of conflict resolution skills) significantly improve the socio-psychological climate at school, which in particular became unstable during the stay of children and teachers in distance learning caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic and quarantine restrictions.

It was precisely the introduction to the best practices and practices of peacebuilding and non-violent communication in the educational space, the prevention of adolescent aggression and antisocial behavior among youth that became the goal of the training for educators in the Nizhyn region.

The event was organized by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights in cooperation with the Educational and Methodological Center of Psychological Service in the Education System of the Chernihiv Region.

At the beginning of the event, the participants were introduced to the concept and values ​​of restorative practices. According to the expert and school mediator

Kateryna Dankova

, restorative practices are appropriate procedures and processes aimed at resolving controversial and problematic issues through a collaborative approach and are based on the principles of a restorative approach: inclusion and consideration of the interests of all stakeholders, voluntariness and self-determination of participants, understanding, respect and responsibility.

Separately, an understanding of the communicative skill “I-message” was formed, which helps to express one’s own interests without accusations, criticism and condemnation to the interlocutor.

In addition, the participants had the opportunity to practice such a restorative practice as “Circle”, which contributes to the involvement of all stakeholders in solving the problem and ensures their active participation in discussing the situation and making decisions.

“The main feature of the Circle is that each participant has the opportunity to express their own point of view and be heard by other members of the Circle thanks to a procedure that ensures equality of all participants,” emphasized

Kateryna Dankova

.

The event was organized by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights as part of the implementation of the project “Strengthening Security – Building Community” with the support of the US Embassy in Ukraine.