The Sonda Creative Center hosted ninety young people from the upper grades of elementary school who actively participated in educational workshops titled “Kada riječi počnu peći by Parole O_Stili.” Given the importance of educating young people in today’s digital environment, the goal of this program was to improve the way they express themselves and communicate, and to teach them about recognizing and preventing violence, both in the real and virtual world.

The workshops were led by Mirjana Aleksić, experiential workshop trainer, authorized educator, and ambassador of the Parole O_Stili association from Italy in collaboration with Alen Delić, information security expert and deputy president of the Croatian Association of Security Managers. Through stories, video materials, and interactive activities, they conveyed to young people the key aspects of violent communication online and its prevention.

From left to right: Silvija Kovačić, Executive Director of the Sonda Association; Neda Šainčić Pilato, President of the Italian Community and Municipal Council of Vižinada; Mirjana Aleksić workshop trainer, authorized educator, and ambassador of the Parole O_Stili association; Marko Ferenac, Mayor of the Municipality of Vižinada.

The trainings are led following the widely recognized program of the Parole O_Stili association and are based on the Manifesto of non-hostile communication, which promotes ten practical principles to fight against the use of hostile language and encourages the creation of a safe online space. As part of the project, the first signatories of the Manifesto in Croatia were Sonda, the Italian Community of Vižinada, and the Municipality of Vižinada.

The project received positive reactions from participants and teachers, highlighting the need for organizing and establishing more initiatives in the future. Sonda will continue working with the aim of shaping future digital citizens who will be conscientious, responsible, and compassionate participants in the real and virtual world.

The project was realized with the support of the Foundation for the Promotion of Partnership and Development of Civil Society – from the funds of the Fund of Cities and Municipalities within the competition “Small Projects for a Better Tomorrow”.