A unique international training on “Creating educational comics to promote social inclusion” took place in Tallinn on 18-26 October under the auspices of the non-profit organisation Eriline Welt (Special World). This event, supported by the Erasmus+ Europe-wide education programme, brought together two dozen active and caring people from different European countries to learn how to talk about important issues in the language of a modern and accessible art form – comics.

The training programme was intense and varied. Participants not only learned how to draw comics, but also delved into the nature of inclusion, trying to answer the following questions. What does a real community really mean? What are the invisible walls that hinder comfortable interaction in a diverse group, and how can we break them down?

Participants analysed real cases and learned how to organise events that are accessible to all. From an idea to a finished product – this was the creative journey under the guidance of experienced trainers Julia Stolberova and Nazari Bojarski, with the support of Veronika Semeniuk-Chmylko.

Youth workers, leaders of non-profit organisations, teachers and trainers already working with groups at different levels or just starting their journey in inclusive education were invited. The geography of participants was impressive: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Finland, Poland and Portugal.All participants passed a rigorous selection process and were ready for active work, informal learning and joint projects. The Estonian delegation to this international forum included Igor Kalakauskas, History and Social Studies teacher from Tallinn Tõnismäe Reaalschule.