The Golden Thread Information Evening
The Golden Thread Project Information Evening
On Tuesday 29 October 2024, the Information Evening on the European Educational Programme The Golden Thread: strengthening family ties and developing parental skills as a means of reducing recidivism in European prisons was successfully held at the premises of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus (TSEC).
The project is co-funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme, (KA2) and involves partners from four countries.
The Golden Thread project was officially launched in February 2022 and will complete its objectives in October 2024. The project’s philosophy was developed through the study of research showing that, beyond employment, a strong predictor of smooth reintegration into society, and especially of reducing recidivism, is the existence and maintenance of healthy stable family ties and relationships. Therefore, while training in personal or vocational skills is a successful practice for reform and change, the cornerstone for sustaining this change is the existence of a supportive family context. In particular, strong bonds and healthy functional relationships between family members.
The project has designed and implemented innovative practices to develop parenting skills and skills to create or strengthen bonds and relationships. The originality of the project involves engaging family members of prisoners in a family support group, with meetings held independently of the psycho-educational programme for prisoners. This activity seeks to provide parallel support for families, with the ultimate goal of providing a safe and supportive environment where family members can share their experiences, receive guidance and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The event was welcomed by the Director of the Church of Cyprus School of Theology, Primate Kyprianos Kountouris. This was followed by a presentation of the programme, with speeches by the scientific team of the Th.S.E.C. Initially, Professor Olga Solomonos-Kountouri (and scientific coordinator of the prisoners’ programme) gave a general briefing on The Golden Thread programme. Following this, Louisa Michael, member of the Special Education Staff, presented The Golden Thread Psycho-educational Programme. Afterwards, Maria Petridou, Lecturer, presented the research results of the project and Aliki Vassiliadou, member of the Special Academic Staff, gave a speech on: Introspection of the implementation of The Golden Thread Programme. Finally, Mr. Iakovos Stylianou, Coordinator of the Education Programmes of the Cyprus Prisons Department presented the educational programmes of the Prisons Department. A discussion followed in which the attendees praised the work and congratulated the participants. Participants were given materials and a certificate of attendance. The event ended with a sumptuous reception in the courtyard of the School.
The information evening was attended by academics from higher education institutions, partners from various institutions, teachers, clergy, students and members of the academic and administrative staff of the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus.
More information about the project and its activities can be found on the project’s website https://golden-thread.eu/ and on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/G0ldenThread
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden.thread.initiative?igsh=MWNkeTZlejRzajJldA==
