"Beyond Clashes", Training focused on dealing with Intercultural Clashes

Aims & objectives

Main aim of the training was to contribute to a more cohesive society by empowering 26 youth workers and trainers with competencies for managing intercultural processes and conflicts in their work in multicultural settings.

Specific objectives:
- To increase the knowledge of youth workers in Intercultural Learning topics;
- To develop practical skills in managing intercultural clashes that occur in youth work;
- To develop culturally sensitive attitudes in the youth field;
- To empower youth workers to act as multipliers in Intercultural Learning;
- To develop practical skills in intercultural education and “awareness making” in respective communities;
- To encourage participation of young people in social processes.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

The training targeted youth workers, facilitators and trainers that have experience in leading international projects and/or working in multicultural communities, as well as experience in leading intercultural learning activities.
The participants were coming from 10 different countries: Serbia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Italy, UK, Germany, Turkey. The team was composed of 2 trainers: Andreea Loredana Tudorache (Romania) and Snezana Baclija Knoch (Serbia) and 1 external consultant: Mark Taylor (France).

Training methods used & main activities

Participants were provided with the space and methodological frame to analyze culture and intercultural topics and dynamics, to understand the features and characteristics of an intercultural clash and conflict, as well as practical opportunities to develop skills for managing it through different methods.

Outcomes of the activity

The outcomes of the TC:
• Competencies for recognizing, understanding, facilitating and transforming cultural clashes in both participants' personal and professional life;
• Increased intercultural sensitivity;
• Understanding of the situation of interculturalism in Europe today: the big picture;
• Participants equipped with mediation, active listening and feedback skills;
• Strategic approach to implementing ICL in their local communities and on the international level;
• Transfer of gained knowledge and skills into new initiatives and projects within the Youth in Action programme.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was one of the co-trainers, responsible for the programme design, training delivery, mentoring of the training units, evaluation and reporting.

I worked on this training for 8 days as a full time trainer.