I LOVE YOU

The youth exchange "I LOVE YOU" will take place in Palermo during the month of October-November 2019, involving 32 boys and girls between 15 and 18 years from 4 different European countries.
The main goal of the exchange is to understand one's own and others' practices to be healthy, from the body, mind and heart point of view. The youths involved are at risk for social exclusion due to less opportunities, such as hard access to information about health and lack of understanding of different topics between cultures.
Each culture has a different concept of love and feeling: not all the "I love you" have the same meaning. When a boy says I love you it can cause joy, jealousy, affection, anger, if, on the other hand, he doesn't say those words there will be consequences as well. We therefore need to reflect together on the importance of words, on the trust other people’s speeches deserve, on the correct way to express feelings.
Each culture has a different idea of health: rituals, use of herbs, prayers etc. are considered by some people as treatments for any kind of sickness, but for some others are not helpful. However, to establish which one is the right point of view is necessary to have the chance to have moments of discussion, share of opinions between young people, coming from different countries and lead far lives.
Specific objectives:
stimulate intercultural dialogue on the concept of health and well-being;
facilitate reflection about various meanings related to love;
overcome the stereotypes related to an idea of health and well-being spread in Europe;
improve the awareness and learn how to decodify feelings' expressions different from our own;
develop skills in foreign languages use;
build positive relationships between participants and inclusive dynamics in the group.

The methodology is based on non-formal education and learning through direct experience. The youth workers encourage active participation and an atmosphere of inclusion, tolerance, acceptance and trust within the group.