Narovlianskyi O. The Organizational and Educational Principles of the Ukrainian Children's Center "Moloda Gvardiya" ("Young Guard") (1923-1992)

The dissertation analyzes a variety of sources, particularly unpublished archive materials and materials of the "Moloda Gvardiya" museum to study the organizational and educational basis of the "Moloda Gvardiya" children's center (Odesa). It delineates the main stages of development for out-of-school education in Ukraine and demonstrates the social, political, and pedagogical prerequisites for the creation of a children's center. The activity of "Moloda Gvardiya" has been split into several periods: 1923-1936 is the creation of the children's center; 1937-1960 is the period during which it became of nationwide importance, 1961-1991 is the peak of the enter's activity, and 1992-present is the contemporary period. The dissertation also describes the regulatory and legal framework that was necessary for the center's activities. The dissertation analyzes the forms, methods, and significance of the center's educational work, shows how the center used experience gained in patriotic education, children's self-administration, touristic activities and local history in children's recreation camps and centers working today. The dissertation demonstrates the main influence of the MG center on Ukrainian out-of-school education and the children's movement in 1960-1991. New facts are introduced into historical research, such as little-known or unknown documents. These documents expand historical and educational knowledge about the"Moloda Gvardiya" children's center and demonstrate its uniqueness in Ukrainian out-of-school education.