In a constantly evolving world, education plays a crucial role in shaping critically thinking citizens who can resist extreme ideologies and radicalization phenomena. The PRAISE project (Preventing Radicalisation in Schools) aims precisely at this: strengthening students’ resilience against radicalization and extremist violence through innovative educational tools.
The PRAISE project has developed an educational platform and a Digital Board Game, specifically designed for teenagers aged 13-17. The goal is to enhance their critical thinking, empathy, and ability to recognize dangerous propaganda narratives.
The development of the materials was based on research conducted among students to identify gaps in social and cognitive skills. Through this interactive environment, students learn how to recognize hate speech, avoid extremist narratives, and promote dialogue and collaboration.
On April 4th, a visit was conducted to Karavanas Educational Institutions in Larissa, where students and educators had the opportunity to test the educational platform and the Digital Board Game.
Initially, students attended a presentation of the digital educational materials, followed by a discussion on radicalization and extremist violence in the school environment. The conversation highlighted the role of education in building resilient societies and the importance of collaboration between students and educators in creating a safe and democratic school environment.
Afterward, students participated in the Digital Board Game, an interactive game featuring real-life scenarios that challenged them to reflect on how they would react to situations related to radicalization, exclusion, and intolerance. Through gameplay, students developed skills such as critical thinking, communication, and conflict resolution.
The experience at Karavanas Educational Institutions emphasized the need for modern, experiential teaching methods that foster cooperation and problem-solving. The positive response from students and educators reaffirmed that education can be the most powerful tool against radicalization.
The PRAISE project continues to develop and refine its tools based on valuable feedback from the educational community. Through similar initiatives, education can become the foundation for a future with less intolerance and greater mutual understanding.
