Training seminar "Inter Euro-Mediterranean cultural Dialogue"

The Spirit of EuroMed Turkey 21 - 28 July 2008

"Come, come again, whoever you are, come! Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come! Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times, Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are." Mevlana

Background

"The world's cultural wealth is its variety in dialogue. While each culture draws from its own roots, it must not fail to blossom when crossing other cultures."

Intercultural dialogue can't be implemented from above; a bottom-up approach is essential, as citizens are at the core of intercultural dialogue and have an important role to play. Young people must play an active part in identifying, mapping, evaluating and exchanging these experiences of intercultural dialogue.

The decision to declare 2008 the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue is intended to highlight and raise awareness about underlines the important contribution of intercultural dialogue to a number of the European Union's strategic priorities:

The promotion of cultural diversity in Europe and in the world
A solidarity dimension at the service of social cohesion
An element of credibility in policies towards neighbouring countries and external relations in general

We need to move from intercultural dialogue to intercultural cooperation based on equality of people and citizenship.

Organisational Frame

This training seminar is organised in co-operation between SALTO-YOUTH EuroMed Resource Centre and the National Agency for the Youth in Action programme and Euromed Youth Unit in Turkey.

The training course will take place from 21 to 28 July 2008, in Konya (Turkey)

Working language : English.
Participation is limited to 30 persons.

Aims and Objectives

This training seminar aims to highlight and raise awareness about underlines the important contribution of intercultural dialogue to the qualitative development of the cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The following concrete objectives set in order to reach the aims as described above:

to prepare participants to work into the EuroMed context: Historical, Philosophical, Political, Traditions and Religious realities
to try to find a basement for a better understanding and to reflect on what could, should be a EuroMed Spirit
to become acquainted with the Euro-Mediterranean civilisations and the mutual influences they had upon each other;
to reflect on how civilisation influenced educational systems and the latter (non-formal) educational attitudes on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea;
to compare the different cultures stems and analyse their similitude's and differences;

Venue as a resource of learning

The training seminar will be held in Konya, a cradle of many civilizations, became a center of culture and politics during the period of Seljuks.

The centre for the Mevlevi order was in Konya, where their 13th century guiding spirit, Mevlana (Jelaleddin al-Rumi) is buried.

There is also a Mevlevi monastery or dergah in Istanbul, near the Galata Tower, where the Sema (whirling ceremony) is performed and accessible to the public.

Mevlana was a philosopher and mystic of Islam, he was not a Muslim of the orthodox type. While he was a devout Muslim, his doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him and to his disciples all religions are more or less truth. Looking with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and Christian alike, his peaceful and tolerant teaching has appealed to men of all sects and creeds, which we all need in the world and in the region.

^^Top^^

The philosophy, works and ceremonies of Mevlana are currently accepted as a world cultural heritage.

Therefore, the venue will be used to illustrate a number of issues; perceptions and reality to work into the EuroMed context: Historical, Philosophical, Political, Traditions and Religious realities, enforce intercultural learning to try to find a basement for a better understanding and to reflect on what could, should be a EuroMed Spirit.

Profile of participants

The training seminar is intended to be an opportunity for further training for youth workers and youth leaders who:

are experienced in the Youth in Action and Euro-Med YOUTH Programme
who are active in their organisation
are eager to learn more about intercultural dialogue in Euro - Med.
are committed to prepare themselves for the handled subjects, previous to their arrival and to do the remote work requested by the team in case of selection;
are motivated to undergo training and able to attend the course for its full duration;
are supported by their organisation and have green light for implementing a Euro-Med YOUTH project;
are able to communicate and work in English;
are resident in a Member State of the European Union or in a Mediterranean country signatory to the Barcelona Declaration.

Expected Outcome

The participants are expected

to enrich their knowledge and understanding towards intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region;
to enhance cooperation in Euro - Med region
to discover Mevlana's ideas by integrating with the youth's tolerance and humanism
to enforce tolerance, respect, interaction, and dialog among young people

Methodology

The training seminar will be based on the principles and practise of non-formal education and is conceived to allow a learner-centred approach based on active and interactive methods. Participants need to self organise part of the activities and thus take a personal responsibility for their learning process. They should be open for an experiential learning experience.

Programme Elements

The training seminar programme will address the following key modules (the modules are described by a set of issues which are indicative and not exhaustive and will be developed further):

Why Euro-Med co-operation projects?
Communication and group dynamics
Intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region
Definitions of culture and dialogue
Definitions of racism and xenophobia
Sharing values
Exploring what is real different and what is common between cultures
Non verbal communication
Intercultural awareness
How to deal with stereotypes and prejudices
Analyse of the production and reproduction of Cultural images
International teamwork
Overall evaluation of the course
Suggestions for follow-up and more
Watching whirling Dervishes of Mevlana and learning to do samah; The Mevlevi, or "The Whirling Dervishes", believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a "dance" and music ceremony called the Sema
Learn more about Mevlana's philosophy which unites all people.

^^Top^^

Mevlana belongs to everyone.

Application Form

Deadline to apply is OVER.

Financial Aspects

Hosting costs will be covered by the Turkish National Agency for the Youth in Action programme.

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.