Jos Reparatory Theatre (JRT) with the support of the Czech Aid and the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs debuts Beautiful Camp on June 14, 2024, in Jos and Abuja, as a means of deepening democratic culture in Nigeria.
Based on the Transition Promotion Policy of Czech Republic which encourages all aspects of democratic culture, including respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the well-being of the society at large, Beautiful Camp will convene young artistes drawn from all geo-political zones of Nigeria, whose capacities will be built on how to deploy their artistic skills in deepening of democratic ideals across the country.
Through interactions with their peers across different geo-political zones, participants personal projects can be scaled up to attain the camp’s core aims which are, seeking common good across the most difficult divides, offering hope in challenging and difficult times in an atmosphere of equality and non-discrimination, and leveraging on equal political and public participation involving youths from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
Via a series of real-tual interactions and seminars, which will culminate in a physical camp in Abuja comprising all participants and a core group of facilitators, ideas will be shared in a mutual, respect manner.
Participants will further dialogue, share experiences, future plans, and with these decide on projects that suits them as individuals and groups that will be replicated across geopolitical borders.
On the choice of JRT as a partner in the project, Czech Aid and Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes the art organization deploy arts in the deepening of democratic ideals across the country. These ideals not only resonate with the Transition Project but builds on the humanistic thoughts and ideals of John Amos Comenius, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk but the contemporary thoughts of Czech ex-president and playwright, Vaclav Havel whose play Audience JRT toured the Czech Republic to critical acclaim.
Beautiful Camp will highlight the importance of Nigerian youths, support them in articulating their voice and showing what they can do when mobilized. They will learn strategies for active citizenship, thereby developing their capacity to evaluate information critically, and form their own views.