“Bio-psycho-sexual development in adolescents” is the module taught on 23-24 September this year within the complex program carried out by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA for key staff of the Static and Mobile Safe Spaces launched with the support of the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, including those coordinated by the Public Association “Homecare” and the NGO “HelpAge”.

Organized in offline format, at the Villa Verde Hotel, the training was facilitated by Elena CAISÂN-POPA (Head, Youth Friendly Health Centre “Amigos”, Buiucani) and Veronica CUMPĂNĂ (Head, Youth Friendly Health Centre “Amigos”, Botanica). The training brought together 30 participants – local coordinators, psychologists, youth workers and volunteers from 16 Safe Spaces to develop professional skills in the field of adolescent mental health and bio-sexual particularities necessary for working with adolescents and young people from Ukrainian refugee and host communities.

Asked at the beginning of the activity to say what they expected from this learning sequence, the trainees mentioned the following: new, up-to-date information; professional support; teaching materials (including files, video products, etc.) for use in working with the beneficiaries; modern teaching strategies and models of their application, etc.

Under the motto “Adolescence – the age of change”, the training scenario was based on: defining the term “mental health”; identifying measures to reduce stress and restore emotional balance; recognizing the symptoms of a person at risk; explaining the steps to be taken in cases of risk – all addressed with reference to adolescents. The second day of the training was dedicated to discussing the biological particularities of the adolescent age. The participants discussed the signs of early and late adolescence, the elements of personal and menstrual hygiene, the specifics of relationships during adolescence, as well as responsible sexual behavior adopted by adolescents. Special emphasis was also placed on professional support and referral services for all adolescents/teenagers.

The activity took place within the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, implemented by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)”, as part of the Humanitarian Response in the Republic of Moldova.

“Knowledge dial”, “Marathon of sports relays”, “Chinese style” “Photohunters” are some of the program of a sports event held on September 21, 2024, in the Rose Valley Park in Chisinau. Symbolically entitled “Together for Peace and Unity” and aiming to contribute to strengthening social cohesion between teenagers and young people from Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the event was attended by 55 beneficiaries of the capital’s Safe Spaces, refugees and representatives of the host community.

At the opening, Lilia Nahaba, project coordinator, PRO DIDACTICA Educational Center; Natalia Grîu, UNFPA, and Cezara Cornienco, director of the Chisinau City Center of Young Naturalists, welcomed the audience, participants and supporters, emphasizing the importance of such events, which mark the fundamental values of peace, unity and solidarity, human rights, and the commitment to combat all forms of violence, to live together in harmony and understanding.

Facilitated by Irina Grecova, Ion Șargu, Octavian Grecov and Octavian Grosu, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, but not without a competitive spirit, the teenagers and young people got down to the races. Although everyone was captivated by the challenges, competitions and games on the day’s agenda, and although everyone threw themselves heart and soul into the activity, there were still winners. And although there were winners, in the end all participants were rewarded… Because, in fact, there were no losers, because sport, good humor, respectful communication, openness towards others is a gain for everyone, a step towards bringing people closer together.

The event took place within the project “Refugee Support Initiative”, implemented by the Educational Center PRO DIDACTICA, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) “, as part of the Humanitarian Response in the Republic of Moldova.