1st European Contact-Making Seminar: Social Justice for all?

Taking into consideration that the term “social justice” is used differently - “social justice” mostly as the English term as an expression for the civil society field working against racism, prejudices, and discrimination and how these are reproduced and strengthen by fears of being different or matching the unknown (e.g. so called “social justice & diversity trainings”) versus the e.g. German term “Soziale Gerechtigkeit”, understood as the discourse about e.g. “participatory justice”. In this each individual issues in contrast to an "egalitarian" distributive justice or a formal rule “to achieve and to guarantee equal opportunities through targeted investment in the development of individual abilities (capabilities).” In this regard we will focus within the project on both “understandings” of the terms e.g. through: • Analysing those factors (prejudices, discrimination, individual, cultural and institutional barriers) that prevent participation of less-privileged youth • 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 while supporting young people • Supporting participants to ensure the feasibility and development of projects/actions with the involvement of those young people; • Supporting participants in their learning process by providing a space to exchange experiences and good practices or possible problems. Further the project is used to discuss among others the following questions • What is “social justice” and which role plays (European) Youth work in there? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of our daily work with children & youth? • Where are the gaps, opportunities, approaches and possible solutions? The CME is furthermore expected to support all present participants and their sending institutions in developing future cooperative projects and exchanges involving not only participants but also their beneficiaries. Additionally guest speakers are invited to give initial inputs. The CME is accompanied by professional technological support. All applied methods and activities are based on experiences made in several years of practice on civic education and youth work practices on local, regional, national & international level. The project will take place at the European Youth Meeting and Education Centre Weimar (EJBW). 17th – 23rd of November 2014.