Conference "Networking in EVS: Odyssey continues"

Description

The "EVS Odyssey in EuroMed" started in November 2006 on the Greek island of Hydra and is continuing from harbour to harbour: Copenhagen (September 2007), Oslo (April 2008) and Marseille (October 2008).

The common purpose of those trips is to explore

a) the meaning and potential of EVS in EuroMed cooperation
b) the idea to build sustainable partnerships in this field

Final destination: ITHACA!

As the poet* says:

"When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
...
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
....
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage..."

*Constantine Cavafy (Konstantinos Kavafis), one of the most distinguished Greek poets, born on April 29, 1863 and died on the same date in 1933 in Alexandria (Egypt). Among its poems, we can better associate with "ITHACA" all people's ultimate goal...
We advise you to read the whole poem at the end of this announcement, before you come to Ithaca! You never know, there might not be only one in a life time...

The National Agencies of Greece and Denmark, with the cooperation, support and guidance of SALTO EuroMed, having the poet's advice in mind, offer to all past and future participants of these events the opportunity to reach Ithaca, but only to make a stop for a while, to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and to jointly draw a more solid route for their future common trip, based on:

• partnerships and EVS projects on process since the beginning of the Odyssey
• developments in the common understanding of volunteering in EuroMed
• sustainable cooperation through the reinforcement of existing network(s)
• development of new partnerships and new projects

For that purpose the Greek National Agency of the Youth in Action programme, with the valuable cooperation of the Danish National Agency and SALTO EUROMED, will host a Networking Seminar on the the island of Ithaca (Ithaki) at the Ionian Sea, from 25 to 30 November 2008.

An opportunity to meet European and Mediterranean partners in EVS, to get a common understanding of the meaning of voluntary work, to develop common sending and hosting projects, while discovering the richness of cultural differences.

Let's get prepared to enter the next Odyssey!

 

Dates and venue

"Let's network in EVS: Odyssey continues" will be held from 25th to 30th November 2008 in Ithaca Island, Greece.
(Participants will arrive and stay overnight in Athens, November 25. Departure from Athens airport, November 30, after 15:00)

^^Top^^

Objectives

• To assess the impact and the quality of the partnerships and EVS projects on process since the beginning of the Odysseys
• To explore the developments in the common understanding of volunteering in EuroMed
• To sustain the ongoing cooperation reinforcing the existing network(s)
• To support the creation of new partnerships and new projects

 

Profile of the group

The Conference is only opened to former participants in the following events:

• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Hydra (Greece), 15-19 November 2006
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Høje Taastrup (Denmark), 5-9 September 2007
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Oslo (Norway), 8-13 April 2008
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Marseille, 25-30 October 2008

N.B: if the former participant is not available, other representatives of participating organisations might replace him/ her only if they are directly involved in partnerships or projects.

All National Agencies and EMYUs involved in the EVS Odysseys in EuroMed are invited.

European Commission is invited (both DG EAC-D2 and Europe Aid Co-operation Office).

 

Working Language

English (some support can be provided in French)

^^Top^^

Programme elements

Evaluation oriented

• Exchange of practices of EVS in Euromed
• Discussion on impact(s) on individual, local community and EuroMed cooperation

Networking oriented

• Value and dimensions of networking
• Projects and partnerships market
• Partner matching
• Projects time: work on new EVS sending and hosting projects

Quality and knowledge-oriented

• Volunteering in Euromed: development of a common understanding?
• Update on the Euromed Youth Programme
• Reflection on EVS and Euromed in a wider cultural and geopolitical framework
• Recognition and valorisation of non formal education

"Euromed spirit" oriented

• Cultures and traditions in EuroMed
• Group life moments

***************************

ITHACA (by Konstantinos Kavafis)

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon - do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.

But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.

Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

 

Financial Aspects

Hosting costs will be covered by the Hellenic National Agency.

All costs related to the trainers are covered by Salto EuroMed RC.

Travel costs should be covered by the sending National Agencies (for Programme countries candidates) or Euromed Youth Units (for Meda candidates) or any other way.

 

Registration form

* Registration form ONLY for participants who participated :

• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Hydra (Greece), 15-19 November 2006
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Høje Taastrup (Denmark), 5-9 September 2007
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Oslo (Norway), 8-13 April 2008
• "EVS Odyssey in Euromed", Marseille, fin October 2008

Deadline to register extended to 30/09/2008

^^Top^^