An international seminar for representatives from Russian-speaking minority groups and ethnic majorities "INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE WITHOUT SUBTITLES"

WHY? The idea of this initiative is based on the results of the similar seminar which was held in Estonia in 2008. The main aim of the seminar is to create better access of Russian-speaking communities to Youth In Action programme as well as to strengthen cross-community co-operation within and between such countries as Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other Programme countries which might be interested. The objectives of the seminar are: • to create supportive environment for participants to get to know each other, their working backgrounds and country situation regarding the seminar topic; • to provide better understanding about situation of Russian-speaking minorities and co-existence with other ethnic and cultural groups in participating countries; • to get a glimpse of interesting project practices in the field of cultural diversity and integration of Russian-speaking minorities specifically; • to share the needs and ideas for future co-operation and start to develop project ideas. FOR WHOM? The seminar aims to involve mixed groups of 24 participants – representatives from Russian-speaking minority groups and from ethnic majorities in such countries as Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other Programme countries which might be interested to encourage better understanding and communication as well as future co-operation projects. From each of the participating countries a team of 2-5 people is expected, balanced between minority and majority group representatives. In addition, the representatives of Youth In Action National Agencies from participating countries are welcome to join in order to provide support for project development already during the seminar. The seminar is open for participants with: • Direct contact to young people through either professional or voluntary activities; • Strong motivation and interest to work for better integration of Russian-speaking minority youth, preferably also through initiatives brining together youth from different ethnic and cultural communities on national and international level; • Support from their organisation to start up projects on international level in the frame of EU Youth In Action programme; • Ability to work either in English or Russian languages. METHODOLOGY The seminar programme is based on the principles of non-formal learning and will include different methods in order to create supportive environment for participants to get to know each other, their working backgrounds and country situation regarding the seminar topic, share the needs and ideas for future co-operation and start to develop project ideas. The programme will be supported by team of professional trainers with extensive competences in the areas of diversity and inter-cultural co-operation. During the seminar programme there will also be possibility to get a glimpse of interesting project practices in the field of cultural diversity and integration of Russian-speaking minorities specifically. The working languages of the seminar will be English and Russian. The meeting will be facilitated by two facilitators: Natalja Gudakovska http://trainers.salto-youth.net/NataljaGudakovska and Laimonas Ragauskas http://trainers.salto-youth.net/LaimonasRagauskas.