A Second Chance School in Greece is an innovative public adult education school of two academic years’ duration. A certificate equivalent to secondary school diploma is provided after successful attendance. The school’s curriculum differs from that of the normal education, it is more flexible and it follows an adapted teaching methodology and assessment of the trainees. The programme forms part of the Operational Programme “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and it is co-funded by the European Union (European Social Fund) and national funding.

On March 27, 2018, the Positive Messengers project partners visited the Second Chance School of Agii Anargiri and held an experimental workshop with the students and faculty. The students - aged between 18 and 76 - used the psychodrama method to understand and learn to resolve interpersonal and societal conflicts caused by hate speech, gain new knowledge and skills to deal with life and fulfil their personal potential. The students had also engaged in participatory photo hunt on the topic, and the best photos were selected via popular vote. 

“The policy of our municipality is to be active, to take part in projects tackling sensitive issues. Projects like Positive Messengers raise awareness among our citizens, bring societal results and prepare our administration to be in the front row of developments”, said Mr. Nikos Pantelias, Deputy Mayor of Agii Anargiri. 

The experimental workshop was a great example of interregional learning and strengthening the transnational coalition of Positive Messengers to counter online hate speech.