From 2008 MS worldwide will target youth and women in their democracy focus. How do we target youth so we really get their attention and don’t just end up being moral adults with a lifted finger?
Through her children’s school our information officer, Vibeke, had seen Ugandan Break dancer Project. Could they be useful? We went to have a closer look. We brought Fred from IATM (International Anti Corruption Theatre Movement). Of all people he should be the one to see the possibilities.
After 2 hours watching we were all convinced. About 40 young people aged 7 to 25 were all working hard to learn and to teach each other.
In one corner a bigger boy was teaching a group of the youngest.
The older ones were teaching each other, showing their skills, improving, giving each other advice, suggesting new things.
The founder of the project, Abramz, walked quietly around talking to the members, showing improvements etc.
The music was one, but not louder than it didn’t disturb the other groups in the hall which were busy with table tennis and badminton.
The whole set up was so organised, but without whistles, canes and hard words, just because the people involved had self discipline.
Looking at all this with democracy eyes, this was the practice of the democratic principles; everybody participated, the dancers were from every level of society but showed tolerance and respect to each other, everybody was welcome and to make it available for everybody the training was for free.
You pay with what you can – your skills.
