From 21 to 25 October 2024, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, became the center of an inspiring initiative to strengthen education. Fifty teachers and teacher trainers from across the country gathered at the Town Hall of Ouagadougou for an interactive workshop aimed at fostering transformative safe, supportive, and resilient learning environments for children.
This workshop is part of the project, “Creating Safe, Supportive, and Resilient Learning Environments to Safeguard Children’s Right to Education Amid Conflict and Crises,” supported by the Government of Japan. It focuses on equipping education stakeholders with the skills and tools to ensure children’s rights to education are upheld, even in the face of conflict and crisis.
Opening Ceremony with Distinguished Guests
The opening ceremony was attended by prominent officials, reflecting the significance of the initiative. Among them were the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Burkina Faso, Mr. Hiroyuki Kanda, and the Secretary-General of the Burkinabe National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. Fatie Ouattara.
Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit behind this initiative, co-hosted by the Ministry of Education, the National Commission of UNESCO of Burkina Faso, and UNESCO IICBA, with facilitation by Arigatou International – Geneva.
A Hands-On Approach to Learning
Facilitated by Ms. Eleonora Mura, Senior Expert on Ethics Education for Children at Arigatou International – Geneva, and Prof. Boubacar Niane of Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal, the workshop was designed to empower participants through interactive sessions based on transformative pedagogy and Arigatou International’s Ethics Education Approach.
At the training workshop, participants gained in-depth knowledge about creating Transformative Safe Learning Environments and supporting learners’ well-being; developed essential skills to design learner-centered activities that integrate safety and well-being into national training programs; and learned to deliver engaging training sessions using participatory, transformative pedagogy, including integrating play-based activities. The workshop focused on the holistic well-being of teachers and learners, integrating also mental health and psychosocial support activities.
For many participants, the workshop provided their first encounter with creating Transformative Safe Learning Environments. The impact was immediate and deeply felt. “I thought it was not possible to create safe environments given the challenges we face, but I learned that we can do so with joy and play,” shared one participant. “I learned that motivation is key to creating a stimulating learning environment. I felt motivated throughout and want to inspire my students,” said another.
This training is particularly focused on addressing school violence in Burkina Faso, including physical, psychological, and inter-ethnic challenges, which threaten the safety and academic success of learners.
Participants concluded the workshop by developing actionable plans and a concrete project to implement safe and inclusive practices in their schools. The project will be finalized with their learners, and implemented with the support of mini-grants awarded to each school.
A Regional Initiative
This workshop is part of a broader project spanning Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Mali, South Sudan, Chad, and Niger, with the shared goal of promoting safe, supportive, and resilient school communities.
By empowering educators to create transformative learning environments, this initiative ensures that children’s rights to education are upheld, even in the most challenging contexts.
We thank our partners for trusting Arigatou International with this unique endeavor. Together, we are building a future where every child can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
