Trainer Profile: Jo Claeys

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Training: ATOQ: Advanced Training On Quality (2004 till now, EU)
Organised by: National Agency and ATOQ trainers' pool for a period of 6 per training days.
Description: A training which invites experienced organisers of international youth projects (mostly Action 1.1 of the YiA Programme) to work on quality in their future projects. Participants come from diverse nationalities, creating an international environment in which cultural diversity is a pluspoint to the training course. During the training we focus on good and bad practices, quality aspects in projects as intercultural discovery, involvement of youngsters, equal partnerships, project plannig, etc. all methods used during this training frame in non-formal education. Participants reflect upon their past international youthexchanges and define a better strategy and approach for future exchanges.
An average of 3 ATOQ trainings per year in close cooperation with diverse National Agencies. Responsible for the coordination from trainers' side in 2005 and 2006.
Reference person: Pyykkönen Paavo = ATOQ Coordinator from NA side (Paavo.Pyykkonen@cimo.fi, )

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Training: LTTC on Youthwork (2000-2002, Belgium & South-Africa)
Organised by: Jint & Ministry of Youth Flanders - Belgium for a period of 4 x 12 days.
Description: Training fieldyouthworkers and multiplyers from both South Africa and Flanders together on different aspects within Youthwork. The trainings take place in mixed international groups. These trainings have taken alternatively place in Flanders and in South-Africa. Topics tackled during these trainings: groupdynamics, volunteermanagement, aidsprevention, global youthwork, creative thinking, development of workshops, use of games and exercises, ...
I belonged to the team of trainers which was composed by trainers from both South-Africa and Flanders. I was responsible for program parts related to 'play and playing as an educational approach and tool'. These trainings were the beginning of a long-term co-operation and starting point for increasing participation of young people in youthwork at local level. All methods used frame within non-formal education.
Concrete outcomes are ongoing cooperation between the participants from both groups as well as the implementation of the learned tools and application of passed knowledge.
Reference person: Katrien Van Belle = Coordinator (katrien.vanbelle@jint.be, )

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Training: BiTriMulti trainings (1999 – now, All over Europe)
Organised by: The Network of National Agencies for a period of 15 x 5 days.
Description: These short term training courses are based around a simulation game which aims to train youthworkers in organising youthexchanges within the YiA Programme (Action 1.1). Participants come from diverse countries, composing an international group which creates the right setting as a reference during the training itself.
A strong focus on preparation, follow-up, projectmanagement and partnerships. these trainngs target new users of the YiA Programme and offers them an introduction and practical information to be able to implement themselves an international project afterwards. All methods used frame within non-formal education.
These training are run by an international pool of 6 trainers. My tasks for each BTM vary between (contact)trainer and (report)trainer.
Already involved in more then 19 BTM-trainings and 10 TICTAC trainings (Action 4.3).
Reference person: Udo Teichmann = Coordinator (teichmann@jfemail.de, )

Current Occupation:
International full time freelance trainer. Besides trainings, also active in clowning, as consultant and responsible for development of informative & educative games in MAIS. MAIS is an informal group of youthworkers based on using animation as a social tool.

Work Experience:
Since 1995 active in international youthwork. First as volunteer and participant, later as freelance trainer. I have been involved with Council of Europe, National Agencies for the Youth Program of the EU, International youth networks and organisations (YEN, European Network of Animation,...), SALTO, cityhalls, etc

Plenty of trainings on international field all over Europe and South Africa.

As social-cultural youthworker in Belgium, I have been working previously as educator in a centre for 'disadvantaged' homeless youngsters, responsible for the youthservice of Tervuren and co-ordinator international projects VDS.

need more info: send me an email :)

Educational Pathway:
º Social Cultural Work
Thesis : “To work with disadvantaged youngsters - an analyse of the practice”
Graduated with high distinction in June 1995
º In the possession of the certificates : ‘animator’, ‘animator-manager’, ‘trainer’ and ‘manager of trainers’ issued by trainingcentre Duinen-Heide and trainingcentre VDS, recognized by the National Youth Service and the Ministery of Youth Belgium.
º Several trainingweekends focusing on different items as : creative thinking, groupdynamics, animationtechnics, international youthwork, prevention on drugs, outdoor education, composing animationkits, …
° Different training-courses and seminars within the European youthwork as :
--> ‘Outdoor education : experiential learning’(Outward Boundschool, 1995)
--> ‘LTTC : youthwork in multicultural settings’ (Council of Europe, 1995-1996)
--> ‘Life and drugs’ (YEN, 1997)
--> ...

Curriculum vitae:
Not available