This is a reference for Edouard PORTEFAIX

Remembrance and Learning from the Second World War

The training activity took place
in Strasbourg, France
organised by Council of Europe - Russian Federation
23 - 27 April 2017

Aims & objectives

The training seminar aimed to strengthen the relevance and increase the quality of remembrance activities within human rights education with young people.

The specific objectives were:
- to strengthen participants' understanding of key concepts of remembrance, human rights, intercultural dialogue and reconciliation;
- to develop participants` competences in human rights education with a focus on remembrance;
- to share experiences on remembrance activities related with the World War II;
- to support participants in developing remembrance projects and joint actions with young people;
- to explore current challenges related to remembrance and history learning including falsification and manipulation of history;
- to enhance the role of the Council of Europe, the Russian Federation as its member state and other partners in the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Europe by associating with its values and programmes.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

Participants
The seminar brought together 34 participants (half from the Russian Federation and the other half from the states party to the European Cultural Convention other than the Russian Federation). The participants were aged between 18 and 35. They were involved in human rights education/ remembrance education/ youth work focused on remembrance, reconciliation and/or conflict transformation and peace-building as educator, trainer, multiplier, youth worker or youth leader.

Team
The team was comprised of 4 trainers (2 from the Russian Federation, 1 from Poland and 1 from France) and an educational advisor from the Council of Europe Youth Department (from Romania). The team was completed by the programme officer in charge of the project within the Council of Europe Youth Department and the vice-chairperson of the National Youth Council of the Russian Federation (both from the Russian Federation).

Training methods used & main activities

The programme was developed to approach the concept of remembrance education with all its complexity and challenges. It was grounded on non-formal education methodologies. The approached used included – amongst others – experiential learning, field visit and meeting with representatives of local organisations, discussions in plenary or small groups, exchanges with experts, simulation activities, self-reflection...

Outcomes of the activity

The training seminar deepened participants' understanding of remembrance education, its challenges and its connection with the protection of human rights. It helped participants to reflect on how remembrance education can be relevant to address challenges of today such as - hate speech, discrimination, fake news, negationism... - with the young people they work with. Participants also developped their abilities to deal with challenging situation in remembrance education, especially when it comes to be confronted to different narratives.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Trainer - prepare, implement and evaluate the training course.

I worked on this training for 4 days days as a full time trainer.

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