Reconnecting to the basics

 PRACTICAL INFORMATION
We invite youth workers, trainers, educators, NGO leaders, and workers who are very tired of the COVID-19 crisis and want to be prepared with tools and methods to manage a crisis situation and deal with possibly traumatic experiences in an effective and healthy way as a person experiencing the crisis and as a person supporting youth in such a situation. 

'Reconnecting to the basics' will be a seven days training course organized by
Stowarzyszenie WICI (PL). It will be hosted in a remotely located agriculture education farm „Żywa Ziemia” in the region of Kaszuby, Pomorze in Poland. Participants will have the possibility to raise their knowledge and experience in the Empathic Communication approach, Anthroposophy, Applied Drama – methodologies supporting
deep connection, reflection, and regaining stability in crisis moments.

The participant of this TC will have the possibility to raise the
knowledge and experience in:
- Empathic Communication approach,
- Anthroposophy,
- Applied Drama.

THE EMPATHIC COMMUNICATION approach is inspired by the
work of M.Rosenberg and the Centre for Nonviolent Communication.
At the core of what they explain is the NVC driven by compassion are
two elements: EMPATHY allows us to feel and recognise what is alive
inside ourselves and then expanding to feel in tune with another
person. Learning the vocabulary of feelings and needs might be
helpful to practice the skill of realize different emotional-cognitive
states, being able to name them also for the others. HONESTY
(which means that NVC is not about being nice but being honest) refers to what is present and alive in you in the moment – not in the
past nor in the imagined future. Honest in admitting that you might
feel hurt or uncomfortable. Honest in setting limits and being
assertive, in noticing your own anger and blocks for empathy. Only
this way we may build a connection – with oneself, and then with
others.

ANTHROPOSOPHY AND BIOCENTRIC APPROACH. The twelve
senses Anthroposophical theory and the biocentric approach
proposed by Rudolf Steiner in early 1900, explains the importance of
sensory perception as a way to form the basis of the relationship
with oneself, the surroundings, and the people around from an
empathic perspective, as well as its relation with health and vitality.
He focuses on will, feel and think as the holistic development of
human beings and the observation of phenomenology of natural
elements to gain understanding and knowledge about one's identity
and capacities to play an active role in the responsibility to create a
conscious living community.

APPLIED DRAMA activities will be introduced as a complementary
method adding a new dimension. It uses theatre techniques of
preparing to role-playing and stage performing to practice different
social and psychological roles and scenarios, focusing on the
„actor’s” self-reflection and self-development rather than on the
performance. Those activities lead to developing awareness and
changes in understanding. This happens through reflection over
what has been acted with the help of the body, what has been
expressed outside and felt inside. Through this analysis, we practice
awareness of our behaviour and interaction with others.
During the training course we intend to:
 introducing the concept of Empathic Communication inspired in the
work of Marshall Rosenberg and the Centre for Nonviolent
Communication;
 raising awareness about own needs and feelings, the ability to be in
contact with them, to express them in verbal communication, and
awareness about the meaning they bring to the communication
process;
 equipping participants with an attitude ready to listen to others’
needs and emotions;
 practising empathic constructive communication and conversation;
 equipping participants with open and proactive attitudes towards
conflict and crisis situations;
 practicing daily habits to foster a biocentric lifestyle applied to daily
circumstances;
 creating space for networking and peer support;
improving professional language skills for inclusive acting in a diverse
environment, including linguistic diversity.

 THE TRAINERS TEAM:
MARTA SKORCZYŃSKA
Non-formal education trainer, certified in applied drama methodology, actor in Forum Theatre performances. Since 2009 supporting international volunteers as a mentor, coordinator, and coach. Since 2017 supporting other youth workers as a trainer and coordinator of projects developing their toolbox. as well as supporting their professional and personal satisfaction. In her work finding inspiration from voice and body training methods, coaching and solution-focused approach, and educational games. Working with the Nonviolent Communication model and promoting empathic communication since 2018. In the process of training in NVC-based mediations and coaching.

AINHOA MAGDALENA
Pedagogue in Waldorf Steiner, Social Anthroposophical pedagogy, and non-formal education trainer. She has been part of associative schools and nonformal education projects combining humans' evolutionary stages companionship, specialised in children and diversity, since 2015. She has been part of Erasmus+ projects since 2009 in topics such as environmental development, embodiment, and art for social issues. As an educator, she focuses on the development and connection between the willing feeling- a thinking process in human beings through a rhythm of nature and artistic expression for holistic education, as well as the development of the senses as a tool for mindful observation and empathy.

  When and Where?
Dates: from 18th to 26 August 2021
18th August– arrival day in Lębork and travelling to the location;
19th – 25th August – the training course (7 full days);
26th August – departure day
The training course will take place on farm ŻYWA ZIEMIA, ZAKRZEWO 36, 52 km west of the regional capital Gdańsk.