Critical thinking is necessary to understand dynamics and complexity of the current world. It allows you to avoid mental errors, suspicions and prejudices, and thus – make prudent decisions. The first round of You Learn from Your Child congress that took place in Lublin and online at the weekend, September 8-10, 2023, was devoted to popularization of critical thinking.
You Learn from Your Child congress was organized by the „PROJECTOR” program and the Academy of Critical Thinking. The event was held in the hybrid form – there were online classes, a discussion panel, and workshops. There were 51 participants in person, and over 820 online. The Congress was addressed to a broad group of people – children, teachers, school directors, educators, and parents.
The Congress started with the Lessons given for students from 4th to 6th year at school that was broadcast live. The topics related to artificial intelligence, wellbeing, and social activity in the context of critical thinking were presented by the „PROJECTOR” program experts. The lessons were attended by 780 children.
Under the 2nd Session there was a discussion panel. The participants were related to various areas of education – a student-volunteer working with children, a school director, representatives of NGOs, and experts in innovative education. The variety of their perspectives allowed an in-depth, multi-threaded discussion. They discussed about the role of critical thinking in development of civil society and building the participatory education.
The emphasis in 3rd Session was on practical workshops on methods of developing critical thinking skills. The „PROJECTOR” program experts presented practical techniques and strategies that can be used in the process of teaching children critical thinking.
Over next days there were events addressed to the „PROJECTOR” program participants – the Ambassadors’ Forum and the Active Students Congress. The meetings were attended by the whole „PROJECTORs’” Team – volunteers, teachers, experts, and the program staff. The Forum was the place for active discussion, experience sharing, cooperation, and analyses of potential directions of activities for the benefit of children living in villages and small towns.
The participants of the Active Students Congress had a study tour to Hej! Young People Space where they met Lublin activists and NGO representatives. They also took part in an integration city game and circus workshops. An important element of the Congress was also a research meeting analyzing the path of volunteers’ experiences that was focused on experiences, challenges, and conclusions from that form of activities.
The Congress was also an opportunity to sum up the two-year-long project of Critical Thinking Academy aimed at popularizing the critical thinking skills under the system of general education. That project allowed creation of practical model of education that develops that skill in students of 4th to 6th year of elementary school.
The event was held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of Lublin. The strategic partner was European Youth Capital Lublin 2023. The event was under the substantive patronage of: Social Organizations Network for Education, School of Education, Uczelnia Korczaka (Korczak University).
The partners of the event were: Equal Opportunities program, Perspektywy Educational Foundation, Good Network Foundation, and Children’s University Foundation.
The media patrons were: Polskie Radio Lublin, Akademickie Radio Centrum, dlaStudenta.pl, Radio Dla Ciebie, Głos Nauczycielski, Głos Pedagogiczny, Ja, Nauczyciel; Filozofuj!
The events were co-organized by teams of the „PROJECTOR” program and Świat i MY(ślimy krytycznie) project.
„PROJECTOR” is a program of Polish-American Freedom Foundation managed by Educational Enterprise Foundation.
Świat i MY(ślimy krytycznie) project is implemented thanks to the grant from Active Citizens – National Fund program financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the EEA Funds.
