PEACEBUILDING SCHOOL 2024 Acknowledgment
Is awarded with gratitude
to students and teachers of three exceptional elementary schools in Osijek – Elementary School "Ljudevit Gaj", Elementary School "Vladimir Becić" and Elementary School "Retfala" for proactive, inclusive, creative, peacemaking and collaborative efforts to make their schools places where friendships are valued and built, differences are respected, the vulnerable are supported and the marginalized respected.
“Ljudevit Gaj” Elementary School, known for its inclusiveness, has been setting standards in working with students with learning disabilities for years. With 376 students and 90 staff, including special class departments, the school promotes equality and empathy. As UNICEF's School Without Violence and an inclusive school model, this community fosters humanistic values, creating a safe and supportive environment. The school is part of Osijek's Lower Town and reflects its national and religious diversity, for which the city of Osijek is known. At the same time, its branch school in Sarvaš contributes to education in rural areas, while continuous work on projects and international cooperation ensures modernization and development. We recognize the “Ljudevit Gaj” School for its openness, flexibility, vision of the School of Friends and the mission of the best possible activity in the field of teaching, support in learning and social development.
“Vladimir Becić“ Elementary School, located in the wider center of Osijek, is recognizable for its rich curriculum, excellent student results and numerous international projects, especially Erasmus+ programs in which they are involved, and active cooperation with the local community. With 41 staff members and 310 students, including 25 students with developmental disabilities, the school provides support to each student through a dedicated class department and professional team, fostering empathy and equality. The focus on competences for the 21st century, such as entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence and lifelong learning, encourages students to develop potential, creativity and positive values. With an emphasis on lifelong learning and modern teaching methods, this school educates responsible citizens ready for the challenges of the future.
Elementary School "Retfala", the largest school in Osijek, is a symbol of tradition and excellence. With as many as 555 students, 84 employees and six extended stay programs, the school is the center of educational, cultural and sports activities in the western part of the city. As UNICEF's School without Violence, "Eco-School" and international "eTwinning School", it stands out for its commitment to violence prevention, sustainable development and work with gifted children and students with disabilities. The students regularly win awards at national competitions, which testifies to the high level of quality. The school provides quality education tailored to the needs of students with a stimulating environment for employees and an exceptional educational process for the community.
Each of these three exceptional schools in Osijek deserve this recognition with their dedicated and long-term work. However, they are especially emphasized by the step they have made. They creatively designed the cooperation of schools from three different parts of the city of Osijek. Through this cooperation and exchange of activities over four years, they wove a web of synergy of different ideas and ventures by which they contributed to the promotion of peace, tolerance and human rights in their own special and interesting way, and sensitized students and the community on the topics of migration, asylum seekers, human rights and national minorities. Through exhibitions, workshops, public events and media promotion, their projects, such as "INCLuDE", "PRED-NA-MA" and "GRAKNI", promote civic activism, coexistence and understanding of diversity.
We appreciate that they paid special attention to empowering members of vulnerable groups, opening up space for dialogue on sensitive topics and creating a safe environment in which all students feel accepted and respected. Also, through their actions, they have enabled students from Ukraine to feel welcome and included.
Despite the challenges and lack of support through institutions, cooperation with local civil society organizations and various initiatives, they make a significant contribution to the implementation of civic education and show that education is not only a transfer of knowledge, but also the creation of a community that accepts, inspires and develops individuals in the spirit of friendship, respect for diversity and non-violent civic activism. Thank you for that!
We hope and believe that this four-year cooperation of schools will continue in now perhaps unpredictable, but good ways, and that this Accolade and Award will be the wind in their backs. We thank you and we are happy to welcome the students and teachers of these schools to join the Forum of PEACEBUILDING SCHOOLS and participate in the next Student Review of the PEACEBUILDING SCHOOL.