Bridge of Cultures - training course on intercultural learning

Aims & objectives

Aim:
The TC aimed to empower young workers to take an active role in transforming intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts on all levels, and to foster understanding, tolerance and acceptance between differences. The TC provides youth workers with tools and instruments how to approach intercultural issues such as intolerance, misunderstanding, inability to communicate and to appreciate diversity and work with group identity in a way that does not stimulate conflict. In order to solve the mentioned problems and to meet further challenges we will educate the youth workers using non-formal education (NFE) and give them information about intercultural learning and a space for intercultural dialogue.

The main objectives of our project were:
- To increase the level of cultural sensitivity of youth workers through diversity appreciation, direct communication and exchange, building trust with different people and developing the ability to think critically, to assess honestly personal behavior towards other people and cultures
- To break stereotypes and prejudices about the different cultures by enhancing the awareness of youth workers about intercultural communication through dialogue and interaction.
- To reduce cultural misunderstanding and miscommunication by giving youth workers a space for intercultural dialogue and communication and the tools for them to erode these spaces to their respective communities.
- To help them participate in the creation of more friendly and safe environments full of respect, tolerance, mutual cultural understanding.
- To improve the cultural competences of youth workers by giving a chance to reflect on their personal and group identity
- To build networks of international contacts in order to participate actively in society and to develop a sense of European citizenship and identity
- To create opportunities for youth workers to learn how to learn and how to reach to the personal and professional development through NFE.

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

The training course was open for 30 youth workers, youth leaders active at local level (including members of
local initiative groups) interested in the topic.

The participants were 18-30 years old from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Greece.

The training team included trainers from Armenia, Georgia and Hungary.

Training methods used & main activities

Through the activities we followed the Kolb cycle, i.e. experiencing – observing and reflecting – giving theoretical background – linking with reality and develop participants’ skills, attitudes, and knowledge in different areas, connected to the rural development. The workshops tailored to meet participants’ learning needs and will combine theoretical input with interactive exercises and tools for youth empowerment.

Outcomes of the activity

The main achievements included:

- Increased the level of cultural sensitivity of youth workers through diversity appreciation, direct communication and exchange, building trust with different people and developing the ability to think critically, to assess honestly personal behavior towards other people and cultures
- Broke stereotypes and prejudices about the different cultures by enhancing the awareness of youth workers about intercultural communication through dialogue and interaction.
- Reduced cultural misunderstanding and miscommunication by giving youth workers a space for intercultural dialogue and communication and the tools for them to erode these spaces to their respective communities.
- Supported youth workers to participate in the creation of more friendly and safe environments full of respect, tolerance, mutual cultural understanding.
- Improved the cultural competences of youth workers by giving a chance to reflect on their personal and group identity
- Built a network of international contacts in order to participate actively in society and to develop a sense of European citizenship and identity
- Created opportunities for youth workers to learn how to learn and how to reach to the personal and professional development through NFE.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was a senior trainer of the training course being responsibly for the preparation and implementation of the whole training programme and delivery of training sessions along with a junior trainer.

I worked on this training for 9 days as a full time trainer.