IDEAL is a program that, through advanced training of teachers and educators in the field of drama and theatre, develops instruments for intercultural learning, thus contributing to building social cohesion and overcoming discrimination among young people in the Serbian society.

The project creator is the artistic association BAZAART from Belgrade, in cooperation with partners: Smederevo Fortress Theatre, Center for Creative Growth and multicultural cooperation CEKOM from Zrenjanin, Center for Development of Civil Resources from Niš and CRCR Rudel from Carcassonne, France. Associates are Intermunicipial association for foreign languages ​​and literature Zrenjanin and PATOS, Smederevo.

 

The program, which lasted a year, made ​​the following activities:

 

• Educational workshops for the application of drama techniques in teaching, dedicated to teachers

• The development of theatre with elementary school students and high school students on the topic of diversity

• Development of educational manuals on intercultural learning and creative drama work, and making of a documentary film

• Organization of public debates about cultural pluralism in the world of youth

 

Based on the techniques of drama and theatre, program indicates the educational potential of drama and theatre and art in general in educational work.

The program included approximately 100 educators in Serbia, which passed through the training program used in work with young people. Upon completion of the cycle, additional education, teachers and professors, with the support of artists - workshop leaders, with their groups (older primary and secondary school) were preparing theatrical productions are at home which explored themes of discrimination and cultural diversity.

A team of experts who are professional drama teachers, directors, actors, choreographers, playwrights, musicians and visual artists, led the program. In addition, a psychologist was included and expert support in developing tools for educators, in order to get the material generated through workflow. This was shaped into two publications: A Handbook for Intercultural Learning (printed, distributed to schools, and available online), and Guide for the Creative Drama Process (published and available online).

The training followed the youth theater productions in four cities in Serbia, and the most successful have been presented at international theatre festivals. Opening night was followed by public debate on diversity and tolerance among young people, bringing together representatives of social groups and structures for cooperation and action that can contribute to promoting respect for diversity and cultural dialogue among youth in Serbia. As a final project, they developed a joint international street performances directed by director from France, Alban Varet. This performance, which was named Someone, everyone and it, was held in Smederevo.

PATOS prepared a performance called The Point managed within IDEAL. Through the story of themselves and others about them, young members of PATOS examined their attitudes, learned about and joined the intercultural dialogue that they represented through this performance on the main square in Smederevo.