The Institute for Development and Social Initiative ”Viitorul” has deployed the workshop "Debates - a way of citizen involvement", the activity part of the project "Promoting energy efficiency in Călărași district", funded by the European Union.

The first meeting to present the debates Karl Popper and the rules of the game (debates) was held on Thursday, 29 April. At the same time there was selected the topic for the competition. The 34 participants, students and teachers from Mihail Sadoveanu Theoretical High School, Țibirica Theoretical High School, Mihail Eminescu Theoretical High School and Vasile Alecsandri Theoretical High School from Călărași district, discussed with trainers/experts Mihail Gorincioi and Pavel Cerbuscă and how the right to free expression can be ensured in a democratic society, how we should feel when giving a public speech or discussing a controversial topic. Also, it approaches how debates can contribute to self-affirmation and self-confidence.

The theme of the debates will be: "Without educating the population, energy efficiency will be impossible" and are organized in order to promote energy-efficient behavior among the younger generation, to sensitize it on existing energy efficiency measures, and determine teenagers to implement them in daily life to help improve the quality of the environment and protect the environment.

At the same time, the purpose of organizing such debates is to cultivate a critical and constructive attitude among young people, as well as awareness of the values ​​of active and democratic citizenship, by understanding social realities, supporting cult dialogue and non-discrimination. It also aims to develop the skills of documentation, argumentation and the use of evidence in the development of an argumentative discourse.

Carolina Ungureanu, the project manager, mentioned that this type of debate, Karl Popper, is an educational game, students have the opportunity to strengthen their expression/communication skills, to develop critical thinking, personality, to express their point of view, by making clear arguments and based on reasoning in favor of the opinion expressed.

Pavel Cerbușcă, trainer, affirmed  that debates are an art of communication, which causes a change in behavior, mentality, thinking, and these in turn change society. "Differences of opinion between people have always existed. It is important that they are solved intelligently and through compromise. By getting involved in debates, we learn to become freer and to structure our thoughts clearly ", said Pavel Cerbușcă.

Mihail Gorincioi, another trainer, mentioned that the skills he acquired after participating in such debates helped him in his career to clearly argue his position, to send coherent messages and well-founded arguments. "These acquired skills are like an 'ace up your sleeve' in any stalemate you may end up with," said Mihail Gorincioi.

The students also said that the debates are a smart quarrel between people, a discussion in which two or more people express their ideas and defend their opinions and interests. According to students, debates help people to manifest themselves publicly, to stand out in circles of interest, so they often practice this kind of discussion to address current issues, especially the problems of students, young people.

For debates in Karl Popper, eight teams will be formed from four high schools in Călărași district: Mihail Sadoveanu Theoretical High School, Țibirica Theoretical High School, Mihail Eminescu Theoretical High School and Vasile Alecsandri Theoretical High School. Each team will be composed of 3 members. The winning team and the best speakers will receive diplomas, encyclopedias that address energy efficiency topics, Power Banks, backpacks, T-shirts, eco-friendly peat, notebooks, eco-friendly pens, etc.

The Institute for Development and Social Initiatives ”Viitorul” is a beneficiary of the Local Grants Program of the European Union (EU) and implements the project "Promoting Energy Efficiency in Călărași district".

The Local Grants Program of the European Union (EU) is launched based on the Single Support Framework of the European Union (EU), granted for the Republic of Moldova (2017-2020) under the European Neighborhood Instrument, through the project "Empowering citizens in the Republic of Moldova" (2019-2021), funded by the European Union and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ Moldova).

In the Center Development Region, the project implementation partners are the Association for Efficient and Responsible Governance AGER and AO "HABITAT".