The direct beneficiaries of the activities implemented by the Dialog Alternative were the youth from the village of Chetrosu, Drochia district in the Republic of Moldova. Through the Local Action “What's happening in the village?” the organizers aimed to educate young people, children, and other community members to filter the information they hear and to verify its truthfulness before spreading the alleged "news".
Forum Theater Method
This para-theatrical method is an innovative tool for working on fostering critical thinking, raising awareness, and educating young people against misinformation. The implementors worked intensely with 7 young people, aged between 12 and 17. However, the beneficiaries were much broader, including the other community members, like the parents and friends of the participating youth.
Creating a Forum Theater performance required much engagement and effort from a wider group of stakeholders. The Dialog Alternative activists organized the work in 3 steps:
1. Selection of Volunteer Group
The formation of the volunteer team and selection of young participants was made possible through a casting (preselection) held in Chetrosu village. This process identified youth with the skills and motivation to participate in organizing a Forum Theatre performance about misinformation, assuming various roles. To facilitate communication with the selected participants, a social media group was created, which helped streamline organizational aspects and strengthen the connection with the involved youth.
2. Training and Strengthening the Volunteer Team: Developing the Anti-Model and Rehearsals
The team came together through a casting session, followed by a seven-day Forum Theatre workshop that took place from June 9 to June 16 in Chetrosu. Participants learned acting techniques and methods based on the Theatre of the Oppressed, ultimately creating a Forum Theatre performance for their community. The play was inspired by their personal experiences and the false information and rumors that had significantly impacted their community.
Photo: Dialog Alternative
During the Forum Theatre sessions, participants and community members learned how to filter information and verify the credibility of the news they encountered. The scenarios presented by the youth in the performance were based on real situations, with the goal of finding participatory solutions. On the day of the performance, the participants rehearsed to continually refine their newly acquired skills. After the performance, evaluation discussions identified areas that needed further attention and improvement.
3. Forum Theatre Performances in Schools/Communities
The Forum Theatre performance was held in June 2024 in Drochia city, featuring young actors from Chetrosu. Additionally, a pre-event performance was held on June 15 2024 in Chetrosu, attended by community members, parents, cousins, and friends of the participants. Going forward, three more performances are planned—two in Glodeni and one more in the Drochia district.
Photo: Dialog Alternative
Difficulties of implementing experimental activities in a small village
In rural areas, where there are no adapted spaces or similar practices, organizing activities that require specific infrastructure (e.g., large halls or spaces) is challenging. The lack of proper facilities for meetings, events, or training sessions poses a major challenge. In many cases, we had to improvise or find temporary solutions, which did not always provide optimal conditions for our activities. Additionally, the absence of similar practices and a precedent for community events, particularly Forum Theatre initiatives, made mobilizing and engaging youth difficult. Many were unfamiliar with such initiatives and were initially reluctant to participate. Challenges in attracting enough interested and available participants were influenced by busy daily schedules, family obligations, and a lack of awareness about the benefits of participation.
This situation highlighted the need for greater investment in community infrastructure and the creation of sustainable partnerships with local authorities, cultural institutions, libraries, drama clubs, and other relevant stakeholders. Implementors learned that there is a need to improve collaboration with cultural departments, decision-makers, drama clubs, and local economic agents. Moreover, future plans include conducting training and capacity-building activities during the school year to enable quicker mobilization of youth.
Photo: Dialog Alternative
Author: Cebotari Stasic (Local Volunteer Coordinator, Forum Theatre Activities Consultant)
Background illustration: Dialog Alternative