INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZING INTERNATIONAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Main Aim The main aim of this course is to give an introduction to the basic concepts and practices of organizing international youth activities, such as seminars, exchanges and training courses. Following the questions of why and how to organize international youth activities, this training course will focus on the process of preparation, and encourage reflection on intercultural learning. Core Objectives - To provide a complementary European training to participants involved in running European or international youth activities; - To increase participants' knowledge and awareness about the basic concepts and practices of organizing youth activities with an international and/or European dimension; - To increase the participants' competence and motivation to introduce and deal with intercultural learning in international and/or European youth activities. Methodology An experienced international preparatory team will plan the programme of this training course. The whole course is, however, perceived as a mutual learning situation based on participants' experience in youth work. Emphasis will be placed on developing this experience. Active participation, group and team work and learning-by-doing form the methodological foundations of the course. Profile of Participants Participants and organizing team members who are active members of International Youth Organizations (INGYOs), National Youth Councils (NYCs), governmental services and other partners - particularly those co-operating with the European Youth Centre or the European Youth Foundation - and who are (or intend to be) responsible for organizing youth activities at European or international level will be selected for this course. The following are examples of suitable participants for this course: members of a European Youth Foundation activity preparatory team, youth exchange organizers or project leaders, etc. In general, candidates should: - be aged between 18 and 30 (exceptions may be made on the basis of justification); - be actively involved in a youth organization, preferably in the field of international co-operation or activities, or be preparing to take on responsibilities at an international level; - be well informed about their organization and prepared to explain its activities to the other participants; - be able to work in one of the two working languages of the course; - be committed to attend for the entire duration of the course and be supported by their youth organization or service. Educational Team of the Course The educational team of the course will be composed of EYC educational advisors, trainers appointed by the European Youth Forum, as well as external training consultants.