On November 30, 2017 an agreement was signed between the Secretariat of the International Commission to Assess the Crimes of the Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania established by the President of the Republic of Lithuania and University. The agreement establishes the Laboratory for Research on Tolerance Education.
KU SHMF Laboratory for Research on Tolerance Education (hereinafter called the laboratory) is an independent unit of the Pedagogy Department in the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences of Klaipėda University (hereinafter - KU). The head of laboratory is prof. dr. Ilona Klanienė (email ilona.klaniene@ku.lt).
The purpose of this laboratory is to carry out scientific research in the fields of tolerance education, violation of various human rights, manifestations of violence and bullying among students, intercultural education, assurance of equal opportunities in the education system, and other similar topics. The goal of research is to provide evidence-based solutions for preventing the issues of bullying, discrimination and violence and for promoting equal opportunities in society. By conducting scientific research, the laboratory aims at contributing to children, youth, pedagogues, and other educators’ development of tolerance education by carrying out various social and educational programs and projects.
Main activities of the laboratory:
1. Conducting scientific research and disseminating the results to the academic community and the public.
2. Publication of articles, and methodical publications on topics such as tolerance education, discrimination in society, assurance of equal opportunities, and intercultural education.
3. Implementation of social educational projects and other events promoting tolerance among diverse groups in society, etc.
4. Creation and/or adaptation of various educational programs on human rights violations, prevention of violence and bullying among secondary school students, tolerance education, and assurance of equal opportunities.
5. Organization of seminars, training, and conferences aimed at the tolerance education in society.
6. Educational activities for developing tolerance in society, particularly revealing the contribution of voluntary activities to the practical implementation of the tolerance ideas in society.
7. Cooperation with KU departments and various institutions and organizations carrying out similar activities in Lithuania and abroad, etc.
For the past 10 years, the Tolerance Education Research Laboratory has been organizing an ongoing secondary school student scientific conference, ‘’Tolerant School - Safe Society,’’ in partnership with the Child Welfare Commission of the Klaipėda Municipal Administration and the Foundation Centre of Spiritual Guidance for Youth. In total, from 2014 to 2022, 642 secondary school students and 360 teachers from various regions of Lithuania participated in the conferences.