How to talk about war

The training course “How to talk about war” will create a space for youth workers to reflect on how to talk with young people about war situations and provide tools for dealing with controversies related to the topic on the individual and group level in a nonviolent and constructive way. We will tackle emotions and being vulnerable, how to create safety in order to be open to share but also how to create a space where difficult discussions can take place and different opinions can be spoken without alienating each other. 

Aim of the training course

The aim of the training is to develop the competences of the youth workers to help them to engage young people in meaningful, informed, and sensitive conversations about wars and armed conflicts. The training is not aimed to inform or discuss details of any specific war.

The training will combine elements of:

• self-reflection (how do youth workers tackle the topic)
• building youth workers’ confidence in facilitating discussions about war and armed conflicts with young people
• exchanging experiences of dealing with difficult conversations with young people on the war related topics
• equipping the youth workers with methods and practical tools to help discuss difficult topics with young people
• short overview of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps possibilities for youth workers and young people
• if feasible, a study visit will be incorporated (for example to a youth centre which is working with Ukrainian migrants in Estonia)

Participants profile:

• Youth workers who deal with difficult discussions with their youngsters related to the topic of war/armed conflicts
• Youth leaders, and others involved in non-formal education or youth engagement who are working directly with young people on daily basis in relation to these topics
• Youth workers who work or who have experience working with young people with refugee and migrant background
• Openness to listen and to share own experiences and opinions, readiness to challenge own attitudes and behaviours. 
• Commitment to participate in all elements of the programme.
• Ability to work in English (as the working language of the training will be English)
• Age: 18+ (no maximum age limit)

Accessibility and additional Info

• We aim to make this training course as accessible as possible and can offer additional support, if needed. Please get in touch in advance so we can advise on how to proceed. The hotel has 1 allergy-friendly room and 2 wheelchair friendly rooms (the training venue is also accessible with wheelchair).
• If you need a visa in order to participate, please write it in the application.
• Participants will be accommodated in single rooms or double rooms for 2 people.
• We provide full board (breakfast/lunch/dinner, coffee breaks) during the activity. Vegan/vegetarian food can be provided, if necessary.
• Duration of the training course
• The residential training will take place in Pärnu, Estonia on 30.11.2025-5.12.2025 (Arrival and Welcome evening on the 30.11.2025, full working days 1.-4.12.2025 and departure on the 5.12.2025 after breakfast).
• 1-hour online kick-off meeting prior to the training course. The date and time will be communicated to the selected participants.

The training is organised within the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion by the Estonian NA represented by Mirjam Kodi, the German NA (Rita Bergstein), Lithuanian NA (Solveiga Skaisgirytė) and SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre, represented by Tomasz Szopa.

The trainers are Yuliya Ielfimova (trainer and consultant on human rights education, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, trauma-informed youth work, youth worker) and Manina Ott (freelance trainer and organisational developer, focusing on diversity and anti-discrimination, especially within the field of (forced) migration).