Guest writer(s) and children with special needs
Conference: Улогата и значењето на списанијата, прирачниците и другите визуелни,
аудио и видео изданија и материјали во воспитно-образовниот процес, INAKU, Skopje,
North Macedonia 18.1.2021
Assoc. Prof. Dr. & Dr. Honoris Causa Sabahudin Hadžialić,
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Professor at the Communication Science Faculty of UNINNETUNO University, Rome, Italy
Professor at the Jan Dlugosz University, Czestochowa, Poland
In the status of Prominent Distinguish artist in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Guest writer(s) and children with special needs
Abstract: Interaction between culture and education and within the creation of the innovational
approach make possible involvement the children of special needs and establishment of the
environment that would make them to create even impossible approach to the real creation of
the inner soul. Towards outside society. Through the organization of the presentation of
writings from Guest authors (writers & poets) from the area of former Yugoslavia and Europe.
Through readings (poetry, short stories, picture books, magazines), conversation,
communication between all for one and one for all, making closer to each other, mutual
animation, awakening of the talents.
Keywords: Communication, readings, writings, education, skills, gatherings
Introduction
NGO „LIGHT“ from Sarajevo and DIOGEN pro culture magazine (USA & BiH) have agreed
and signed a contract (2011) about mutual obligations in regards the organization of writers
evenings with the goal to realize the project of the literature evenings. Main aim was targeting
further development of the immediate contacts with the children and youth with special needs:
- Creating the environment for making closer of different literature forms towards
perception of the children and youth with special needs;
- Gathering and conversation of the writers from around the region and EU with the
members of the NGO “Light” within the aim of clarifying the position of the writers
within the society today and here;
- Immediate interaction with the guest spectators and members of NGO “Light” with the
goal of encouragement of the wider social environment to be more included within the
need and plans of the activities of NGO “Light” within the future perception, in other
words, perception of the culture sui generis in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- All the evenings were unusual shape of the presentation (unless if it was the promotion
of the certain books) where there were not promotors, and where authors themselves
shaped up the space and time during the presentation of the writing reminiscences.
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- Goals of the achievement
1.1. Creation of assumption of approaching to each other
During the period of activity focused on the interaction of involved people, the creation of assumption
of finding a way of approaching to each other, having in mind all obstacles that might rise:
- a) Misunderstandings
- b) Misleading
- c) Misusing
- a) When we talk about misunderstanding, the main issue was finding the way of approach
to the children and youth with special needs and it was done through:
- Pre-talks
- Pre-explanations
- Pre-leading
- b) Misleading was avoided through the:
- Round tables about writings (what it is it and how we gain from it)
- Introducing the forth-coming writer through the, eventual, movies about him/her and/or
presentation of his/her Biography
- Presentation of the country and environment he/she is coming from
- c) Misusing was avoided by putting on the top of the interest:
- Equality within the presentation between authors and participants
- Possibility for the participants/spectators to present their writings, if any
- Immediate talk between participants/spectators and authors
Educational goal here was mutual understanding of the:
- Equality
- Empathy
- Responsibility
Photo 1: Direct contact between guest writers and children & youth with special needs
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1.2.Humans as cultural beings
Educational communication has been conducted through the creation of the environment where
rights equal responsibility, responsibility equals empathy and empathy equals equality.
During the sessions where were presented 13 authors from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, Kosovo*, Iraq, Switzerland and Norway the main humanity part was presenting
educational cultural reflection of different cultures but of same humanity. Exchange of
thoughts, writings, books and stories were conducted with the main goal and that was showing
that culture is not only relaxing part of our lives, but one of the main pillows of the society
itself, through interaction, creation and self-sustaining focus.
Photo 2. Children & youth with special needs reads poetry
1.3. Communication as conditio sine qua non
During the period of one year were presented 13 guests writers and 20 children and youth were
present every time within their presentations and more than 200 guests (spectators and guests)
were there as well.
Communication was the tool of success. How? Without the possibility to have anybody who
will be above others in any kind of way. Only moderator was there to interrupt between writers
and children & youth when was notices some kind of disturbance or “noise” within the
communication such as any kind of the issues mentioned as within the Chapter 1.1. above.
Communication was internal and as well external.
Internal communication was:
- a) Between co-organizers: Diogen pro culture magazine and NGO “Light”
- b) Between guest writers and children &youth with special needs
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- c) Between all above among themselves mutually
Photo 3. Visit of the Ambassador of the USA to BiH and local Major
External communication was:
- a) Between co-organizers and media (was published more than 232 articles within more
than 25 different medias (portals newspapers, TV, Radio, magazines) – (2011-2012)
- b) Between co-organizers and local community (local Major’s and representatives of the
social care)
- c) Between children & youth with special needs and their families and relatives
Photo 4. Guest writer & children and youth with special needs (Oslobođenje,10.2.2011)
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1.4.Educational approach through the exchange of ideas
Educational approach within the organizing of the “Guest writer” events was organized through the
exchange of ideas between:
- a) Co-organizers among themselves (the ways how to organize the events; how to
approach to the guest writers and the children & youth with special needs and how
to communicate with the public)
- b) Children & youth with special needs among themselves lead by the moderators
(from NGO “Light” and DIOGEN pro culture magazine) and talks about the
writings, organization of the events and readings of the literature and information
about the authors
- c) Direct contacts with local community and social care to find a ways of mutual future
benefits through the continuance of the same or similar approaches of this kind
Photo 5. From left to right: Family member and children & youth with special needs
The basic assumption was creation of the environment where children and youth of special
needs will feel safe and encouraged to participate within the organized events (DIOGEN pro
culture magazines, 2011-2012).
Main educational part was through:
- Pre-talks as the presumption of the mutual understandings of the forth-coming events
(answering all the questions raised about the event & authors). Joint and mutual works
on writings.
- Out of 20 children with special needs, by the end of the period of organizing the events,
4 children & youth were writing poetry (simple, but sincere) and 9 of them were
participating with questions towards guests & authors every event and 7 of them was
shy, but out of those 7, 6 of children & youth with special needs was active within premeetings and hope for the future was that they will be more open as the time come.
- Readings of the poetry, short stories and listening of the authors (their experiences,
expectations, future planning)
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- Questions & answers from the children & youth with special needs related to the events,
authors, writings, hopes, expectations
- Creation of the environment within the premises of the NGO “Light” within which the
children & youth will feel safe and relaxed (open space, relaxed atmosphere with sittings
around with free space in the center for the writers and moderators
During the events direct announcement of the way how to write a short story and/or poem:
- a) examples by the writers;
- b) presentation of the children and youth wishes and
- c) direct talks about outcomes
Outcome as final score – readings of the poems and short stories written by the children and
youth and impression of it by the side of the present writers.
Video recordings of the all events by the side of DIOGEN pro culture magazine and uploading
online plus direct communication with other media – to widen the interest towards population
in BiH that we are all humans. Photos, Press releases, Announcements, contacts with the
schools in Sarajevo and visit of NGO, writers and kids to present outcomes.
1.5. Outcomes as awakening of the communicational skills through writings and
oral presentations
Open talks between moderators of the events with children & youth with special needs
encouraging them to participate within the Pre-events such as meetings and preparation for the
forth-coming events through the:
- a) communication about when how the event will be organized and
- b) reading of the poetry/short stories of the forth-coming authors and encouraging them to
participate as well through questions and/or reading of their own literature works
Conversation with the family members of the children & youth with special needs and their
direct involvement between the pre-meetings and actual events for the purpose of better
communication within the events.
Conversation with the authors – guest writers prior to the sessions in a way to organize their
way of presentation of their literature through:
- a) Open and direct talk with the children & youth with special needs
- b) Relaxed atmosphere to everybody
- c) Giving books as a gifts for the children & youth with special needs and making joint
photo with the author-guest writers
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Ten years later, children and youth (now much older) still remember the events, but wider community
did not recognize this yet. The reason for that was probably lack of empathy because of the problems
within the society in general (2nd country in Europe ranked in corruption in 2020).
Although, the goal will continue to meet the aim. Ten years after, the preparation is on its way to reawake the same event, but this time even wider community of writers and children with special needs
to be involved.
Photo 6. A young boy with special needs saying/reciting a poetry he wrote
- Conclusion
Rights = Responsibility
Responsibility = Empathy
Empathy = Equality
Children and youth with special needs cannot be less human that we are. You just need to spend
short time with them to see the potential – in everything.
Encircling the involvement of all for the benefit of all is the ultimate goal of every society. Only
problem is to find the way how to do it. DIOGEN pro culture magazine and NGO „Light“ from
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina have done it, thorugh:
- a) Mutual interaction
- b) Joint efforts
- c) Focusing on the goals and achievements
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For the future benefits it has to be repeated through the organizing by the societal institutions based on
the achievements of this kind, with improvement through:
- a) Understanding the needs
- b) Expecting the interaction of all involved sides
- c) Foundation built of mutual trust and interaction of creativity of all involved
Photos:
Photo 1: Direct contact between guest writers and children & youth with special needs
Photo 2. Children & youth with special needs reads poetry
Photo 3. Visit of the Ambassador of the USA to BiH and local Major
Photo 4. Guest writer & children and youth with special needs (Oslobođenje,10.2.2011)
Photo 5. From left to right: Family member and children & youth with special needs
Photo 6. A young boy with special needs saying/reciting a poetry he wrote
References:
- Bljesak.info (2012): https://www.bljesak.info/kultura/flash/jednogodisnji-volonterskiprojekt-knjizevnik-u-gostima-privodi-se-kraju/53730
- Diogen pro culture magazine (2011) – GUEST WRITER:
http://www.diogenpro.com/knjizevnik-u-gostimaguest-writer.html
- Diogen pro culture magazine (2012) – GUEST WRITER:
http://www.diogenpro.com/knjizevnik-u-gostima-2012.html
- Konkursi regiona (2011): https://konkursiregiona.net/knjizevnik-u-gostima/
- Press kit (2010-2011):
http://www.diogenpro.com/uploads/4/6/8/8/4688084/press_book_04.12.2011.pdf
- Sutra.ba: http://www.sutra.ba/vijest/knjievnik-u-gostima-ernest-buinski-28453
- Vares.info (2011): http://www.vares.pp.se/bobovac/boblist/broj195/195_14.htm
- Video 1: https://vimeo.com/39530449
- Video 2: https://vimeo.com/17490949
- Video 3: https://vimeo.com/39496066
- Video 4: https://vimeo.com/20281517
- Video 5: https://vimeo.com/17725875
- Video 6: https://vimeo.com/32700782
- Video 7: https://vimeo.com/33244307
- Video 8: https://vimeo.com/23087492
- Video 9: https://vimeo.com/21253120
- Video 10: https://vimeo.com/19592031
- Video 11: https://vimeo.com/19951010
- Video 12: https://vimeo.com/19381554
- Video 13: https://vimeo.com/21846174
- Video 14: https://vimeo.com/38029059