Democracy through TheatreDemokracia përmes TeatritДемократија преку TеатарDemokrati genom teater

BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

Democracy Through Theatre

Participants• Cair Municipality, Macedonia• Rajko-Zinzifov School in Cair• ACT!/VEPRO! Cultural Association in Cair• Botkyrka Municipality, Sweden• Botkyrka Youth Council

Cair - 67,000 inhabitantsMacedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Serbian, Bosnian and Roma languages and more are spoken here. Macedonian and Albanian are the official languages. Botkyrka - 83,000 inhabitantsMore than 70 different languages are spoken here. Swedish is theofficial language.

BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

The Collaboration Between Botkyrka Municipality and Cair Municipality began in 2006.

Build a Partnership With Focus on Democracy and Equality2008 politicians and officials from Botkyrka went to Cair to investigate the possibility to build a partnership with focus on democracy and equality.

We applied for, and was granted funding from the Swedish Institute and ICLD to implement the project Democracy Through Theatre.

Two Municipalities With Much in Common

Two municipalities with a multifaceted population structure. One challenge is to create a common community for all of the different groups.

BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

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BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

Two Municipalities With Much in Common

Work with a specific focus on human rights and democracy.

Want to give young people good possibilities to participate and influence.

Consider cultural expressions to be important and efficient tools for the implementation of community development.

We also share a multifaceted population structure. People with roots in many other countries live in Botkyrka, and we speak over 70 different languages. Several ethnic groups live in Cair: Albanians, Macedonians, Turks, Romanies and Vlachs, among others. Macedonian and Albanian are the official languages.

One challenge is to create a common community for all of the different groups.

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BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

Purpose and Goals

• Increase the knowledge about democracy and gender equality and develop tools to strengthen it.

• Create a sister organization to the Botkyrka Youth Council in Cair

• Start an internet forum for young persons

• Create long-term relationship between us

Using Creative ToolsTo attain this we have started processes among youngsters, teachers and school leaders as well as the civil servants and politicians in our municipalities.

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BOTKYRKA YOUTH COUNCIL

Using Creative ToolsCreative tools such as theatre, dance, drama, and visual art are used to develop a greater knowledge about democracy and equality.

Why use creative tools? They are effective, clear and powerful.And they’re fun! They also serve as yet another language which makes it possible for us to understand ourselves and one another.

It is inspiring, and it increases the willingness to communicate. Using personal stories while we work results in understanding and dedication. The group feels secure and explores the similarities they share, and the things they have in common.

Organized Around Four TripsThe project was organized around four trips. With fieldtrips, workshops, seminars, discussions and meetings.