PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ENVIRONMENT

“These images are meant as metaphors to the dilemma of our modern existence; they search for a dialogue between attraction and repulsion, seduction and fear. We are drawn by desire - a chance at good living, yet we are consciously or unconsciously aware that the world is suffering for our success. Our dependence on nature to provide the materials for our consumption and our concern for the health of our planet sets us into an uneasy contradiction.
For me, these images function as reflecting pools of our times”.


Edward Burtynsky, photographer

If we think of Photography as the Art of observing and taking consciousness of the World, photographic images are, therefore, powerful means of investigation and analysis whilst stimulating creativity and fostering mutual relationships.

During the twelve days of the Exchange the participants will have the opportunity of meeting with other young Europeans to reflect on issues related to global environmental challenges and of producing photographic researches, both in a concrete and direct way, through entertaining moments and non formal education methods.

During the study visits, organized around specific themes (transport and sustainable mobility, recycling and waste reduction, redevelopment of industrial areas, public parks and urban gardens, renewable energy) on-site locations of the city of Turin, the participants will create their own photographic project, by collecting visual materials and discussing them in groups. A selection of the full body of work produced will be presented as a public event during the last night of the Youth Exchange.

Goals of the project

- To stimulate the exchange of knowledge between different cultures
- To analyse the mutual enrichment of different approaches to environmental issues
- Developing awareness for environmental issues related to the development of cities in the current socio-economic European situation.
- Developing team work capability
- To stimulate the discovery of new ways of reading and interpreting reality
- To stimulate the discovery of new ways of reading and interpreting the language of images
- Refinement of aesthetical sense
- Learning of basic photographic techniques
- Introducing how to design, develop and produce a photographic project

METHODS AND PROGRAM:
Reflections and presentations in groups, photography workshops, study visits, will be some of the planned activities. Intercultural dimension and discovering of our city are also important parts of the program.
The program will make use of non-formal education methods and principles, and will be conducted in a high participative style, allowing the participants to be involved in all stages of the project, sharing methods and practices.

See daily program attached

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Dates: 28 May- 8 June 2012
Advanced planning visit: may 2012
Target group:
The course is open for 25 students and/or unemployed from Programme countries and neighbouring partner countries of South East Europe, of the Youth in Action Programme and must be over 18 years old (from 18 to 25 years old).

Number of participants for each country: 5 (group leader included)

Working language of the program:
The working language of the Exchange will be English. Participants do not need to be advanced English speakers; however, they should be comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas in English.

Financial issue:
Participation fee: a contribution of 20 € is required to each participant.
The 70% of the travel cost will be reimbursed.
We cover the accommodation with full-board from the Youth in Action-funds.

Material required
Please note that the association will not be able to provide computers or photographic equipment for all the participants, we strongly recommend to bring at least one lap-top for each group and one camera for each participant (it is not important the quality of the camera, any digital device can be used, except for phone cameras).