Call for Trainers

Writer/consultant for the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity publication: “Power of interfaith dialogue”

Description

To address the topic of (cultural) diversity, SALTO Inclusion & Diversity RC, in cooperation with the Network of the National Agencies of the Erasmus+: Youth in Action and European Solidarity Corps programmes, has planned 3 thematic “Embracing diversity” cycles, each covering a period of 2 years.

After closing the cycle on anti-racism, in 2024 we start addressing the topic of interfaith dialogue.

Religion is often seen as a source of difference and conflict, but does it have to be that way? In a world where (religious) identity often divides, we seek to explore the potential of religion as a solution and a catalyst for cultural diplomacy. Interfaith dialogue is becoming increasingly recognised by governments and institutions, as crucial for building cohesive communities. By perceiving interfaith dialogue as a positive resource and engaging in it meaningfully, we can build bridges across diverse communities, promote understanding, respect and peace.

The aim of our thematic cycles is to explore different forms of diversity and strengthen and develop youth workers 'diversity management’ skills. This is done through variety of activities and each cycle includes: a seminar, 5 ID Talks webinars & articles, a study visit, a training course and a partnership building activity.

As a part of this process we would like to develop a new publication about the youth work, community and peace building, through the lens of interfaith dialogue. We want to look into ways to build constructive dialogue and analyse the role of youth work in fostering positive interactions among individuals with different religious, faith or spiritual beliefs.

Therefore SALTO I&D is looking for a writer/consultant, to help the youth sector:

• To learn about interfaith dialogue: what it is and what it’s not, what can we learn from it, its value and relevance, theories, basic principles…
• To explore concepts and diverse forms of faith, spiritual and religious beliefs, and the practice of interfaith dialogue.
• To analyse the intersections of religion with pressing topics such as war, conflicts, polarisation, racism, migration, inclusion, civil society and politics.
• To strengthen and develop youth workers and other professionals skills to manage interfaith dialogue processes and foster positive interactions among individuals with different religious, faith or spiritual beliefs.
• To learn from approaches, methods, tools and techniques used in youth and community work, but also in other sectors and see how those can be applied and adapted to the needs of the youth field.
• To translate these to Erasmus+: Youth in Action and/or European Solidarity Corps projects.

Tasks & deliverables

The assignment includes (tentative):

• Editorial, online meetings with the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity team.
• Proposing a structure for the new publication.
• Doing desk study on theory and practice of interfaith dialogue for community and peace building.
• Collecting good practices examples - the writer should analyse different projects, programmes and researches – from youth work and beyond – to draw up a number of success factors. Which type of interventions tend to work (and why) and what doesn’t work. What are the lessons we can learn from that. What are the underlying principles of successful interventions? These conclusions should be based on existing researches and documentation of different projects. Both the writer/consultant and SALTO I&D can suggest material to be considered (like, the ID Talks on interfaith dialogue: www.salto-youth.net/inclusiontraining/idtalks)
• Contributing to two SALTO I&D interfaith dialogue events. SALTO I&D and the Austrian National Agency of the E+: Youth in Action programme will organise a seminar on interfaith dialogue for community and peace building, in Austria (6-10 October, 2024) and a study visit in Malta, in cooperation with the NA of Malta, (2-6 December, 2024). The events will include different stakeholders. The writer/consultant can use this seminar and study visit to complete information, test hypotheses, discuss research findings, collect good practices, interview participants etc.   
• Supporting SALTO I&D and the organising team of the seminar in Austria and the study visit in Malta, in shaping the content of the events, by attending online preparatory meetings (seminar - mornings of 13th of May and 4th of June, study visit – TBC), offering some guidance, sharing expertise, suggesting potential guest speakers, giving feedback on suggested programme etc.
• Writing the publication - the writer/consultant is asked to develop a document in accessible English language (in the same style as “Embracing Diversity” www.salto-youth.net/embracingdiversity and “Inclusion A to Z” www.salto-youth.net/inclusionatoz for example). The consultant develops the text in cooperation with SALTO I&D, until it is ready for publication. We were thinking of 50 pages (excluding annexes). It should include an executive summary with the key ideas. SALTO I&D will be responsible for the final editing and proofreading (in case the writer/consultant is not a native English speaker), and will take care of layout and printing.
• The final text should be ready by the end of December 2024.

Requested trainer profile

We are looking for:

• an experienced writer/consultant,
• who knows the inclusion & youth work field,
• has knowledge of the interfaith dialogue theories and practices (coming from the youth field and other sectors too) and can also help us to shape our other interfaith activities planned for 2024 (seminar & training course).
• Has knowledge of concrete tools and methods that can be used for a community and peace building processes between people of different religious traditions (i.e. "faiths") and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels and is able to transfer/adapt this to the youth field.
• Having good analytical skills,
• with experience in writing educational publications (preferably in English)
• and good command of English.

Working conditions

Timeline

• Desk research & events preparation: May – September
• Seminar Austria: 6-10 October 2024
• Study visit Malta: 2-6 December 2024
• Final text: End of December 2024

Dates for preparatory meeting and events

• The consultant can start as soon as the terms and conditions are agreed, and the contract is signed.
• The deadlines might vary depending on availability and the progress of the work, and the suggested approach by the writer/consultant.
• The dates of the seminar and study visit are fixed. There is some flexibility with the dates of the preparatory, online meetings.

Writer/consultant's fees, travel and board & lodging

• For this task the writer/consultant will receive a lump sum of 5600€ all in, being 350EUR per working day (covering the meetings, events attendance, preparation, communication, rewriting, VAT). We estimated 16 working days, but there is some flexibility.
• The travel and subsistence for the meetings will be covered separately by SALTO I&D.

Team composition

• Representatives of SALTO I&D
• Writer/Consultant

The writer/consultant will liaise with the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity team to come to a practical comprehensive publication.

Application & selection procedure

Apply no later than: 11st of March 2024, 23:59 CET
How to apply:

Interested writers/consultants should send their application via mail to inclusion@salto-youth.net 

This application should include:

• a motivation letter indicating 1) what you can contribute to this project, 2) what is your experience with interfaith dialogue and youth work, and 3) what is your writing experience (specifically in English)
• a few samples of your writing (e.g. previous educational publications or about inclusion - preferably in English) – link to online text or attachments (low res)
• a recent CV

When applying you agree to the specified dates and conditions.

Downloads

• CallForPowerOfInterfaithDialogueWriterConsultant.pdf

For more information

Marija Kljajic, Project officer at SALTO Inclusion & Diversity
Phone: +3222090720
Email: