Dialogues about Rights seminars held in Sofia, October 21-22, 2022, have been inspiring events with students and teachers from Blagoevgrad, Gotse Delchev, Varshets and Montana. The concept of human rights and the need for dialogue as the main tool for achieving understanding and peaceful resolution of disputes and disagreements in a democratic society were discussed. Leading trainers and speakers were Lilian Hjorth and Evgenia Koroltseva from the Human Rights Academy, Norway and Dr. Daniela Kolarova and Aneta Kalcheva from the Partners Bulgaria Foundation.

The program introduced participants to dialogue techniques and topics related to human rights. The training aimed to support professionals and young people to gain adequate knowledge and a better understanding of human rights through familiarization with international and national legislation, through research of facts and cases, knowledge of the procedure of dialogue and communication of social messages. During the training, the participants – youth, teachers, facilitators and local community representatives – were introduced to good practices such as the Human Rights Academy, Norway youth photography project. The participants were engaged in planning public events on topics relevant in their communities. The training seminars proposed interactive methodology to be used by specialists – pedagogues, facilitators and students aged 14-19.

The seminars were part of the Human Rights Lens project implemented by the Partners Bulgaria Foundation in cooperation with the Academy of Human Rights, Norway and financed within the framework of the Active Citizens Fund, Bulgaria under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area. The project takes place in 2022 and 2023 and aims to contribute to education in democracy and human rights of young people by developing innovative tools and practices to acquire and apply knowledge about human rights with the means of digital technologies, visual arts and the dialogue.