11
Para nuestros lectores hispanohablantes, pueden encontrar una versión en español de este boletín aquí.
Dear friend of democracy,
Welcome to the Demo Lab Newsletter, an email to keep you up to date with what's happening in our organization, and with democracy in Costa Rica and around the world. If you have the means, and you value our work, please consider donating.
Index
Latest Updates from DemoLab
1. Basketball & Freedom Camp: Be a Part of the Change!
Para nuestros lectores hispanohablantes, pueden encontrar una versión en español de este boletín aquí.
Dear friend of democracy,
Welcome to the Demo Lab Newsletter, an email to keep you up to date with what's happening in our organization, and with democracy in Costa Rica and around the world. If you have the means, and you value our work, please consider donating.
Index
Latest Updates from DemoLab
1. Basketball & Freedom Camp: Be a Part of the Change!
Are you concerned about the declining support for democracy among young people? We are too.
That's why we are excited to announce the Basketball & Freedom Camp by The Democracy Lab Foundation, a transformative 3-day experience designed to empower Costa Rican youth (ages 14-19) through world-class basketball training and dynamic workshops based on the Freedom Curriculum.
This initiative, which took place from July 20 to the 22nd, is a collaboration between The Democracy Lab Foundation, Abrahamic Athletic Academy (AAA), The Reynolds Foundation (TRF), and CRC Endurance, united by a shared passion for engaging and educating young people about the importance of freedom through sports.
Our pilot program was a resounding success at Gimnasio Polideportivo de Cartago in Costa Rica, and we are proud to announce that 75 young athletes graduated from our first Basketball & Freedom Camp. Participants were inspired to reach their full potential on and off the court through mentorship and training with the NBA Player and human rights activist, Enes Kanter Freedom, who served as a motivational speaker and coach throughout the event. The Democracy Lab Foundation facilitated workshops on freedom through engaging activities and case studies. This unique experience has impacted a total of 150 lives, including the graduates and their families, contributing to a stronger and more engaged community.
1.2
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
1.2
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Through experiential learning and gamification, participants learned the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and freedom of expression. We drew parallels between basketball's rules and ethical principles, helping them understand the rule of law and foster self-knowledge and emotional intelligence.
Through experiential learning and gamification, participants learned the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and freedom of expression. We drew parallels between basketball's rules and ethical principles, helping them understand the rule of law and foster self-knowledge and emotional intelligence.
In this picture, participants are enthusiastically participating in an icebreaker game led by Elena Sobrado, the Academic Director at DemoLab CR, at the start of the session.
In this picture, participants are enthusiastically participating in an icebreaker game led by Elena Sobrado, the Academic Director at DemoLab CR, at the start of the session.
Day 1: Focused on justice and social responsibility, encouraging a deep understanding of ethics through basketball.
Day 1: Focused on justice and social responsibility, encouraging a deep understanding of ethics through basketball.
In this picture, youth participants are actively engaged in games and activities designed to enhance their self-awareness and communication skills.
In this picture, youth participants are actively engaged in games and activities designed to enhance their self-awareness and communication skills.
Day 1: Focused on justice and social responsibility, encouraging a deep understanding of ethics through basketball.
Day 1: Focused on justice and social responsibility, encouraging a deep understanding of ethics through basketball.
In this picture, participants are actively collaborating in groups, brainstorming and visually representing various solutions related to civic participation on large sheets of paper. They are using drawings and written notes to capture their ideas and engage in a dynamic exchange of perspectives.
In this picture, participants are actively collaborating in groups, brainstorming and visually representing various solutions related to civic participation on large sheets of paper. They are using drawings and written notes to capture their ideas and engage in a dynamic exchange of perspectives.
Day 3: Highlighted political freedom and civic participation, empowering young people to take on community leadership roles.
By the end of the camp, students understood the importance of personal and collective empowerment, and how their actions can positively impact society. This is just one example of how the Freedom Curriculum is used to create active citizens and freedom protectors.
Day 3: Highlighted political freedom and civic participation, empowering young people to take on community leadership roles.
By the end of the camp, students understood the importance of personal and collective empowerment, and how their actions can positively impact society. This is just one example of how the Freedom Curriculum is used to create active citizens and freedom protectors.
1.3
OUR RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.3
OUR RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1.4
WHY THIS MATTERS:
1.4
WHY THIS MATTERS:
- Youth and Democracy: Only 43% of individuals aged 16-25 in Latin America express support for democracy. This is alarming, as the youth represent the future of democratic systems.
- Revitalizing Civic Engagement: There is a growing sense of disillusionment and a decline in trust in our democracies and institutions in Costa Rica and Latin America. This camp aims to reverse these trends by using sports to teach civic education and engagement.
- Innovative Learning: Participants engaged in discussions and practical exercises focused on principles such as justice, equity, and democratic participation, empowering them to impact their communities positively.
- Youth and Democracy: Only 43% of individuals aged 16-25 in Latin America express support for democracy. This is alarming, as the youth represent the future of democratic systems.
- Revitalizing Civic Engagement: There is a growing sense of disillusionment and a decline in trust in our democracies and institutions in Costa Rica and Latin America. This camp aims to reverse these trends by using sports to teach civic education and engagement.
- Innovative Learning: Participants engaged in discussions and practical exercises focused on principles such as justice, equity, and democratic participation, empowering them to impact their communities positively.
1.5
OUR RESULTS
1.5
OUR RESULTS
The commitment to research and evaluation of the program's impact was evident from the outset, with pre-and post-event interviews conducted with all 75 participants, totaling 150 interviews that will provide crucial data for curriculum analysis and continuous program improvement.
The implementation of our curriculum yielded highly positive outcomes. More than 60% of the children showed keen interest in the topics, actively engaging in discussions and seeking clarifications. This level of engagement signifies the curriculum's effectiveness in capturing and maintaining the students' attention.
To measure the impact of our program, we conducted pre- and post-surveys using a Likert scale. This allowed us to assess changes in the students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions before and after the curriculum was delivered.
Our dedicated team played a crucial role in ensuring that any challenges encountered were promptly addressed, reinforcing our belief that with a strong team, every problem has a solution.
The overall organization of the event was commendable, leading to its successful execution. Parents' feedback was unanimously positive, with 100% expressing their satisfaction. The children's happiness mirrored our own, marking the event as a joyous and successful endeavor for all involved.
We will share a detailed report of our findings soon, including comprehensive results and insights from the pre- and post-surveys, providing a clear picture of the curriculum's impact.
The commitment to research and evaluation of the program's impact was evident from the outset, with pre-and post-event interviews conducted with all 75 participants, totaling 150 interviews that will provide crucial data for curriculum analysis and continuous program improvement.
The implementation of our curriculum yielded highly positive outcomes. More than 60% of the children showed keen interest in the topics, actively engaging in discussions and seeking clarifications. This level of engagement signifies the curriculum's effectiveness in capturing and maintaining the students' attention.
To measure the impact of our program, we conducted pre- and post-surveys using a Likert scale. This allowed us to assess changes in the students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions before and after the curriculum was delivered.
Our dedicated team played a crucial role in ensuring that any challenges encountered were promptly addressed, reinforcing our belief that with a strong team, every problem has a solution.
The overall organization of the event was commendable, leading to its successful execution. Parents' feedback was unanimously positive, with 100% expressing their satisfaction. The children's happiness mirrored our own, marking the event as a joyous and successful endeavor for all involved.
We will share a detailed report of our findings soon, including comprehensive results and insights from the pre- and post-surveys, providing a clear picture of the curriculum's impact.
1.6
WHAT WE LEARNED:
1.6
WHAT WE LEARNED:
DONATE NOW!
We need your support to continue this important work. By contributing to our next sports camp, you can help us reach even more young people in Costa Rica and make a lasting impact on their lives.
Together, we can inspire and educate a generation of informed, engaged, and empowered citizens.
We need your support to continue this important work. By contributing to our next sports camp, you can help us reach even more young people in Costa Rica and make a lasting impact on their lives.
Together, we can inspire and educate a generation of informed, engaged, and empowered citizens.