How the Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU creates a culture of tolerance among young people
The Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU pays considerable attention to the issues of inclusiveness, barrier-free access and tolerance. One of the main slogans of the Centre is equal opportunities for everyone - equality in any form. In order to educate young people, UzhNU systematically holds events of various formats - lectures, games, debates - designed to foster respect for diversity as a basic skill of a modern person.
In particular, one of the favourite activities of the representatives of the Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU is the simulation game ‘Unity in Diversity’. Thanks to this game, participants better understand what tolerance is and why everyone's life is priceless. It was held for young people at various venues - during the Youth Unity Forum ‘Worthy. Free. Unbreakable", the educational festival ’Base: Unite! Get ready! Prepare!", for the children of the Chynadiyevo orphanage and, of course, repeatedly for students of various specialities of UzhNU. The modelling game consists of three mini-games: ‘I am just like him’, ‘Transplantation’ and ‘A student with a disability in my group’. Importantly, the simulation game ‘Unity in Diversity’ won the 3rd prize at the VII All-Ukrainian Competition of Projects in Adult Education in the nomination ‘Best Project Using Games and Gamification’.
‘During the game, each participant has to think about why this person is not worse or better than him or her, what rights he or she has. The participants also have the opportunity to reflect and explain why the life of a particular person is special and priceless,’ said Alyona Almashii, director of the Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU.
Maryna Stashyna-Neymet, a leading specialist at the Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU, adds: ‘The game “A Student with a Disability in My Group” is based on a real story when a blind student entered one of the university's faculties. So, we offer the participants 4 roles in which they have to identify the difficulties that the student faces. One role is from the perspective of a student organisation, another from the perspective of a teacher, the third from the perspective of fellow students and the fourth from the perspective of the student himself. Participants should present their vision of how they will solve the difficulties that arise.’
In addition, the Centre's representatives played the game ‘Towards Tolerance’. During the event, students of UzhNU have the opportunity to solve real-life situations related to issues of tolerance. The boys and girls express their opinions, give arguments, and look for the strengths of each person. They also offer interesting solutions that will help to build respect for human dignity and readiness to help among students.
The Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU also plans to organise a debate tournament ‘Equally Equal’ among students dedicated to the protection of the rights of people with disabilities. Participants will be divided into teams of 3 people. Two teams will play in one round: ‘Government’ and ‘Opposition’, which will defend the position ‘for’ or ‘against’. The aim of the event is to promote a deeper understanding of the problems faced by people with disabilities, to mobilise support for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.
In this way, in a light-hearted way, students learn to understand difficult topics that are still often silenced in society. The young people discuss socially important issues, learn to respect themselves and others, and accept diversity. The Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU is working to ensure that such events strengthen the tolerant environment among the UzhNU community.
According to the Centre for Innovation and Development of UzhNU
Prepared by Hanna Feltsan,
Information and Publishing Centre
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