Social Justice and Diversity Long Term Training Course

The overall aim is to increase the diversity of participants in local or international youth projects. To achieve this, the project aims to sensitize social/youth workers for different forms of discrimination and facilitate communication in a less discriminative way. Further to better understand how and why young people with fewer opportunities could feel that international youth work is not for them. During the training attitudes will be developed in order to reduce the reluctance of the youngsters. In order to achieve the overall aim, the Long Term Training Course (LTTC)’s objectives are the followings: - Sensitizing youth workers through the Social Justice Training method on existing prejudices, anti-discrimination and their own ‘blind spots’ and how these were reproduced and strengthen by fears of being different or matching the unknown. Reflecting on discrimination and privileges that they have experienced personally helps to identify fields of activities for their own further non-discrimination acting; - Analysing those factors (prejudices, discrimination, individual, cultural and institutional barriers) that prevent participation of less-privileged youth in local or international projects; - Supporting/helping the participants in raising their capabilities to become aware of and use their a) privileges and resources as well as respect b) obstacles and resistance to support young people back home; - Supporting participants to ensure the feasibility and development of projects/actions with the involvement of less-privileged young people; - Supporting participants in their learning process by providing a space to exchange experiences and good practices or possible problems. The LTTC will consist of one residential training course, one residential seminar and a practical period between the two. During the practical period participants are to explore the potential of social justice issues and international projects – stimulate and support them to realize with the support of the trainers team. Within this LTTC …there will be an introductory phase that ensures a protected yet dynamic workspace and that introduces into the basics of the method. After that, two exemplary modules will be provided. First “sexism and heterosexism”, which can most likely build on previous experience and knowledge of the participants and therefore allow for better acquaintance of the method. The second module is about “classism”. The expression is rather new in European context, yet already very powerful to understand social exclusion. The module “classim” offers an easily accessible approach to the concept of intersectionality. Both modules will help to raise awareness for understanding the dynamics of discrimination and exclusion. They will increase personal capabilities to counteract them in the daily praxis of youth work. At the end of the first (training) phase there will be a careful assessment of how one can become an ally of change and fight discrimination in ones own surrounding. Activities will be developed for every participant, which are as well feasible as they have good chances to provide meaningful outcome. During the second (field) phase there will be a coaching by the trainers to assure the success of the activities. The third (seminar) phase will wrap up the experiences, reflect on good and difficult practise and provide some guidelines for further work. Flow of the long-term training course 1st phase: Training course Duration: 26 August – 1 September 2012 Venue: European Youth Centre, Budapest, Hungary 2nd phase: Field phase Duration: September 2012 – May 2013 3rd phase: Seminar Duration: 13 -17 May 2013 Venue: Hungary Target group of the LTTC There will be places for 20 participants at the training, selected according to the criteria below: • Professionals or volunteers motivated to work with less-privileged youth, anti-discrimination topics. • Directly working on a regular basis with young people with fewer opportunities and act as a multiplier. • Should be motivated to reach new target groups. • Some experience or knowledge (as a group leader, participant, mentor, etc.) needed about international youth mobility projects. • Motivated for further personal and professional development. • Committed to further explore social justice topics and take part in field-work (study visits, projects for young people, etc.)or projects between the two residential events. • Confident in and able to communicate in English. • Available to actively participate in the full duration of the course (including both residential events). • Having support from their employers in order to take part in the full duration of the LTTC and to carry out activities which should develop the organisations policies.