BRIDGES TO SOLIDARITY CANCELLED / POSTPONED

Why solidarity?

Solidarity is a core pillar of European cooperation. Reversely, a lack of solidarity represents a threat to European integration: without solidarity, there is no European cohesion and, in turn, more divides between European countries and within societies. EU solidarity comes in two forms: interstate solidarity between EU member states, and interpersonal solidarity between EU citizens

This training course aims to focus on the interpersonal aspect of solidarity in the EU and the connections EU citizens build across borders and within their local communities. The recent Covid crisis showed the long going process of individualisation and polarisation within societies, which also strains social cohesion. Communities are torn apart and currently there are a lot of divisions and opposition points. A new paradigm is needed for the communities, striving to find back connection points and unity to address the common challenges.

To contribute to strengthening communities in solidarity, youth workers need to be equipped with a transversal expertise. Taking into reference the ETS Competence Model for Youth Workers to Work Internationally, we identify a number of competences as fundamental for embracing and promoting the Solidarity idea, while advocating for young people and supporting them in shaping communities.

As a space for professional peer learning amongst youth workers in international youth work, this training course offers the opportunity to reflect with a focus on their approaches in two specific competence areas: 1) Networking and Advocating and 2) Communicating meaningfully with others.

The objectives of the training are:

• To reflect on the need for embracing and promoting solidarity
• To reflect on one’s role as a youth worker within the community
• To reflect on one’s attitudes and values in its work as a youth worker and readiness to take a step back and reflect
• To explore one's sensitivity & openness to diversity and readiness to be confronted with different views & work approaches
• To reflect on one’s willingness to learn about background/context/realities of young people
• To appreciate the added value of new partnerships and collaboration opportunities
• To get  familiar with the multi-layered concept of Solidarity based on 4 cornerstones (Empathy, Active Citizenship, Human Rights and Inclusion) and 7 concepts (Social justice, Equality of opportunity, Support, Strengthening communities, Active participation, Volunteering, Responsibility), as published by the ESC Resource Centre

Preliminary Agenda

Day 0 – Travel day

Day 1 – Coming together as a community and embracing solidarity

Day 2 – Exploring empathy and sensitivity towards others

Day 3 – Advocating and networking for Human Rights for young people

Day 4 – Overcoming polarisation within the communities

Day 5 – Roadmap to solidarity

Day 6 – Travel day

Target group: 20 youth workers (EU program and partner countries)

Participants are expected to be working with communities, especially those in risk of exclusion and to have interest in collaborative actions and programs that strengthen and empower the communities, work for active inclusion and engagement of the young people with the EU values, build resilience and sustainability.

Duration: 7 days - 5 training days and 2 days for travel

Тeam of trainers: Theodora Ivanova, Elitsa Ivanova, Danielle Nubile