TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Stefano Di Maria
The training aimed to equip participants with skills in Human Rights-based advocacy, addressing the need for youth organizations to effectively advocate for their causes. It focused on teaching the advocacy cycle, stakeholder analysis, and practical campaign development. This aligned with the goals of the organizing bodies, such as DBYN and the European Youth Centre, which prioritize "Access to Rights" and "Youth Participation." It also supported DBYN's strategic priority of advocacy as part of their Master Plan 2018-2020.
The activity had a diverse international group, consisting of 24 participants, 4 trainers, and several experts from various European countries. These participants represented different youth organizations across Europe, making the training activity truly international. Experts from organizations like Don Bosco International also contributed, further emphasizing the global and cross-cultural nature of the event, which qualifies it as an international training activity.
he training utilized non-formal learning methods to actively engage participants. Examples include interactive workshops, group discussions, role-playing exercises, and team-building activities. Participants engaged in stakeholder analysis, designed mock advocacy campaigns, and participated in experiential learning sessions that encouraged peer-to-peer learning and critical reflection. These methods fostered a collaborative environment where participants could share experiences and learn practical advocacy skills.
The training achieved its goal of empowering participants with the skills and knowledge to conduct Human Rights-based advocacy. Success indicators include the creation of a guidebook on youth advocacy, the launch of several local advocacy campaigns by participants, and the establishment of a working group to integrate the No Hate Speech Campaign into local organizations. Positive feedback from participants and the successful implementation of projects in their home countries demonstrate the training's effectiveness. Documentation of the training can be found on the DBYN website and through publications by the European Youth Centre Budapest.
I worked as a full-time trainer during the study session. My role involved designing and facilitating several training activities, particularly those related to advocacy strategies and Human Rights education. I collaborated closely with the training team and had the opportunity to work alongside a representative from the Council of Europe, enriching the programme with valuable insights and ensuring alignment with broader European advocacy initiatives.