Reinis Grāvītis, one of trainers from “Shelter “Safe House””, explains that the forum theatre is a method of non-formal education. It creates a safe environment, where we can act out different situations and make mistakes to correct them immediately. “During the class one can master the model of correct behaviour and develop skills to recognise incorrect, unsafe and even illegal actions”.
“Since a training on such a topic for youths of the Madona Municipality was organised for the first time, they showed a lot of interest, and teachers and youth workers provided support. 2.5 hours passed by unnoticed – in active listening, involvement into group work, viewing the Anti-Trafficking Infotrailer*, staging and acting out the given situations in dramas, analysing specific cases and talking over what can be done to prevent such situations. I am truly happy that the forum theatre class could take place in our town – Madona,” tells Nadja Niedrīte, the head of the Multifunctional Youth Centre KUBS.
She tells that part of young people stayed after the lesson to talk to young people from “Shelter “Safe House””.
To the question “What have you gained from participating in the forum theatre class”, young people replied:
“Improvement of acting skills and insight into the topic of human trafficking. It was very valuable to hear and participate!” thinks Tomass.
Lorita obtained knowledge about forms of human trafficking, which she had not previously linked to human trafficking in her mind. “I learned many real-world examples which I can share and I can stimulate people to be more attentive when they choose their workplace in a foreign country, and, in fact, here, in Latvia as well. I obtained information on safe search of a workplace and a place to live. There were valuable, substantial discussions, and answers to questions, which I wouldn’t consider to ask.”
“I learned more about the way human trafficking happens. I found out that anyone can become a victim of human trafficking and it is easy to become one even if you are just a little bit inattentive,” thinks Linda.
“During the lesson I learned that before I put my signature under any document, I need to make sure, clarify things, meet people etc. to feel safe about my choice of work!” Kristiāna shares her impressions.
The next forum theatre classes are planned on 25 February in Olaine and on 8 April in Saldus.
In 2015, the plan is to make at least 400 young people all over Latvia to become aware of the human trafficking problem, using the forum theatre method prepared by volunteers of the NGO.
*The exposition in the Anti-Trafficking Infotrailer reflects several forms of human trafficking, which are most common for Latvian citizens and around the world. Thus, young people are provided with the possibility to obtain visual information to provide them insight into the scale of the phenomena.
The project “Action support programme of the Society “Shelter “Safe House”” to reduce human trafficking in Latvia” is funded by the EEA financial instrument and the Latvian state. It has been implemented since July 2013 and several activities to reduce the problem of human trafficking are taking place within it. Members, workers, volunteers of the “Shelter “Safe House””, as well as other non-governmental organisations are involved in the project as a target group.
Find out more about the EEA Financial Mechanism programme NGO Fund here. Website of the Society Integration Foundation: http://www.sif.lv Website of the EEA Financial Mechanism in Latvia: http://www.eeagrants.lv Official website of the EEA Financial Mechanism: http://www.eeagrants.org. Responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the society “Shelter “Safe House””.
