To foster mutual respect and the freedom to express oneself, even if ones thoughts are not representing the common sense, is a crucial objective of modern pedagogic. Thus the Erasmus+ project Visualize aims to create a space where young people feel safe to express themselves and to create a valueless and creative exchange of perspectives. That way tolerance among young people is strengthened while personalities are solidified.
The first Visualize training sessions have just approved that the concept is working. In the first training sessions the social learning motivation and the idea of open speech was an unorganized process. Young people showed little social competencies, as they did interrupt each other up to show verbal abuse and small power struggles. In this time the rules had to be continuously communicated to the group.
In the last training session’s things changed. The group created a pleasant atmosphere of mutual respect. The participants started to be more active. They initiated verbal utterances while the peers listened with concentration. Discussions were left open, participants showed interest and different views were admitted. In this atmosphere youngsters developed creativity and self-esteem. The enormous success was that everybody felt free to say anything, an example of living tolerance!