Youth work in closed institutions

Activity has following objectives: - To provide space for participants to share local realities and good practices working with young people in closed institutions (such as detention services, prisons, refugee camps etc.); - To give an opportunity to define the role and place for non-formal learning in closed institutions; - To give an opportunity to explore and experience non formal learning approaches, focusing on experiential learning in practice; - To brainstorm and further develop tools and methods that can work efficiently with young people in closed institutions; - To have an insight into Erasmus+ programme and foster cooperation and networking among participants. Profile of participants: - Staff members of closed institutions (social workers, psychologists, project coordinators, youth workers, etc.); - NGO members working in closed institutions on regular bases/at least weekly. - Can communicate in English. The methodology of the seminar is based on the fundamental principles of non-formal education. The methods provided will enable participants to fully participate in the learning process. Learning from experience will be a fundamental pillar in the way the seminar will be facilitated. This event focuses on key aspects of non-formal education like the participant centred approach and experiential learning. It will imply that the team of trainers will keep in mind the participants' prior experience working within closed institutions contexts. The learning process will continuously adapt to the needs of participants and motivations as well as the group's work rhythm. Moreover, an essential element of the methodology is based on the holistic nature of the learning experience, through methods that involve not only cognitive or intellectual approaches but also covering the emotional and attitudinal ones. This way the learning is enhanced as it embraces the three dimensions of human learning. The diversity of working methods (presentations, role plays, simulations, debates, energizers, individual reflection questionnaires, technical project management, feedback techniques, teamwork, etc) will make more sense than ever in order to better illustrate the meaning of non formal education. The international composition of the group of participants will be an asset to explore the multicultural dynamics of teamwork and thus will contribute to incorporate new learning at the level of cultural diversity. Participants will have to arrive on April 9 midday and depart on April 14 any time. Training course will take place in a hotel “Baltvilla” that is situated only 15 km from Riga, the capital city of Latvia. More detailed information about venue can be found: https://www.baltvilla.lv/en/ Trainers: Natalja Gudakovska and Diego Marin