SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

Belonging from the perspective of connectedness

"Chain of Connectivity" - In the classroom, students wanted to strengthen cohesion. The teacher invited them to share stories of times when they felt accepted. Eva told how a classmate helped her with maths, which gave her a sense of belonging. Jan described how they danced together at a picnic, which made him proud of his class. The pupils wrote their stories on paper ribbons and linked them into a chain which decorated the classroom. The chain symbolised their togetherness and made the class more united. If left alone, sadness and fragmentation would prevail. Unity brought joy and self-confidence.

Value: APPLICABILITY Connectivity makes the individual feel accepted, understood or valued within the group.

Belonging from the perspective of the exclusion trap

"Impatience at an inter-school tournament" - Sonce and Luna Primary Schools compete in a football tournament. Both schools were proud of their teams, but after the games the fans got impatient. Sun accused Moon of cheating and Moon accused Sun of bias. Students were shunned and friends from opposing schools were labelled "traitors". Luke from the Sun fell in love with Maya from the Moon, which led to ridicule: "How can you go out with her, she's from the Moon!" The sports days were divided, the atmosphere tense. Teachers organised a day of socialising with mixed teams, where Luka and Maja shared their story. The pupils found they had common interests and started to make friends. Cooperation brought unity, while intolerance would have caused divisions.

Aspect: The pitfalls of exclusionary belonging and the value of inclusive belonging. 

Belonging in terms of identification and loyalty

"Diversity School Garden" - Zvezda Primary School wanted to create a school garden to share the produce with a retirement home. The pupils, called Star Gardeners, identified with the idea: "We are a Star that helps!" Each contributed a unique virtue: Anna knew the plants, Marko organised the work, Sara decorated the garden, Luka dug the beds. At first, some abandoned their allegiance, saying, "Let others do the work!" The garden was falling into disrepair, which disappointed everyone. The next year they pledged allegiance: Anna taught about plants, Marko divided up the tasks, and new members added ideas such as compost. Their different virtues created synergy, the garden succeeded and the produce made the pensioners happy. Lack of loyalty would have led to failure, but loyalty brought pride and general good.

Aspect: Identification and loyalty, combining different roles for a better result.