Two days, 38 sessions and as many as seven sessions taking place in different classes at the same time!
The team from the “Laiks Jauniešiem” association visited Riga Secondary School No. 71, where, as part of the project “STEM and Civic Participation Activities for Broader Educational Experiences and Career Choices”, we led activities for pupils from Years 1 to 12.
The sessions focused on understanding communities, participation and opportunities for young people in Latvia and Europe. We talked about what makes a community, how each of us can influence its everyday life and how to turn our ideas into action. We explored opportunities to get involved and gain new experience, emphasising that participation can also begin with small steps in our class, school or neighbourhood.
During these days, we saw that the journey towards confident use of Latvian in learning and communication is still continuing. For some pupils, understanding explanations and expressing their thoughts in Latvian required additional time and support. At such moments, it is especially important to be willing to find a clear and accessible way to communicate and help everyone get involved.
Inclusive work begins with paying attention to every child and young person - their skills, abilities and individual needs. By adjusting the pace of explanations, using examples and providing the necessary support, we helped pupils participate even when they still had to search for the right words or when a task needed to be explained step by step. It is important to us that everyone feels understood and can learn, ask questions and express their opinion safely. Skills and the support needed may differ, but everyone should have the opportunity to participate.
Up to seven sessions running in parallel required coordinated teamwork and the ability to adapt to pupils of different ages. In every class, the aim was the same: to help pupils realise that everyone is part of a community and that their opinions, choices and actions matter even today.
Thank you to Riga Secondary School No. 71 for inviting us and placing your trust in our team to lead civic participation activities! Thank you to the pupils for the time we spent together and to the teachers for their cooperation!