Debate club in secondary school

The debate club in Gramsh has doubled after some trainings conducting from their own peers, and we are working to help it grow through our trainings as well. We should definitely thank Ina Idrizi and Arber Zaimi, two Gramsh debaters that have helped us keep in touch with the school.

Our project sponsored a debate on “culture, community and power” organized by some of our trained teachers from the secondary school. Participants in  this televised local debate were teachers, students, mayor, educational directorate, and the representatives from all the major institutions in Gramsh. Issues of democratizing power and disarming the mind were explored by the participants. My main reservation to this event was that most of the leaders present in the debate are corrupt, and do not practice what they say. It is much easier to work with pupils, since they are more honest and open to new ideas. 

During the month of June, pupils in both secondary schools in Gramsh and Shkodra watched the movie Beyond the borders featuring Angelina Jolie as UNHCR person that dies because of a land mine. This movie spurned discussions about the issues of refugees and the role of weapons in conflicts around the world.