Presented on the 2nd meeting of the multilateral school partnership Our TRESAURES in Portugal (Feb, 2011) MAJOR COMMUNITY PROBLEMS – Our work on the Project and its themes began with understanding our community. Unfortunately, every community has its problems and talking about major community problems nowadays is inevitable. Nevertheless, learning about community, its challenges and opportunities eventually leads to a better society. Therefore, as involved and active citizens and students, we conducted some research on what burdens our own community the most revealing crime, violence, anti-social behavior, poverty, racism/discrimination and unemployment as our community's major problems. However, even though all the problems may seem numerous and complex, we think that the solution lies within proper education. In other words, learning about democracy, non-violent behavior, communication, human rights, diversity and accepting differences teach us all to be responsible citizens who understand the community and treat it respectfully.

1. Private Economics High School INOVA MAJOR COMMUNITY PROBLEMS Our Community : Challenges and Opportunities Theme 1 ?

3. Private Economics High School INOVA  the community and helping it cope with and solve the problems – better society  a s involved and active citizens and students, we have conducted some research, and would like to share our findings with you Understanding ?

8. Private Economics High School INOVA Violence  verbal or physical agression  cause of pain and suffering  violence feelings and rage  family violence  bullying

9. Private Economics High School INOVA Anti-social behavior... ! >>>

11. Private Economics High School INOVA Poverty...  low incomes  inability to ensure basic goods and services  low levels of health and education  rise in the cost of living – people less able to afford key attems >>>

12. Private Economics High School INOVA ...Poverty >>> LACK OF EDUCATION UNEMPLOYMENT ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE

13. Private Economics High School INOVA Racism/Discrimination...  stereotyping and offensive behavior  lack of culture respect  privileged and not privileged groups of people  hate crime !

14. Private Economics High School INOVA ...Racism/Discrimination  Hate crime against certain social groups defined by : religion, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, gender, age, political orientation  Consequences : damaged property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse, insults

15. Private Economics High School INOVA UNEMPLOYMENT ! ? INVOLUNTARILY UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE INDICATOR OF ECONOMIC HEALTH ECONOMIC CRISIS – GLOBAL PROBLEM

16. Private Economics High School INOVA Others...  Our school’s special needs students: 3rd grade boy & 4th grade girl – born with cerebral palsy  Despite physical disability, limited movements and other musculoskeletal problems – excellent and well-behaved students >>> >>>

17. Private Economics High School INOVA  Fighting against stereotypes and offensive behavior, misunderstanding and rejection only because they are in a wheelchair  Other students – helping them in getting good education and a firm starting point in life ...Others

18. Private Economics High School INOVA Solving the problem  proper education – key point  learning about community, its obligations, expectations, and responsibility from the childhood >>> >>> !

23. Private Economics High School INOVA Conclusion...  According to our school students’ opinions proper education is crucial for understanding our community, its requirements and demands as well as problems and how to solve them !