Follow the Yellow Brick Road II

Aims & objectives

“Follow the Yellow Brick Road” took its name from the yellow brick road of "The Wizard of Oz" and it was chosen because it related perfectly to the topics of journey and transformation. After a successfull first experience in Italy, the second edition of the course has been improved and adapted and shifted its main focus from the topic of youth unemployment to the topic of attitude towards challenge, change and learning.

We can summarize the objectives in the following points:

• To create a space for personal development, by exploring personal talents, aspirations and potential through a variety of non-formal education and experiential tools;

• To explore and reflect on ‘change’ and ‘responsibility’, as ways to define and reach personal and professional objectives and live a more fulfilling life;

• To experience tools and methodologies that can be utilized to enable, empower and inspire young people;

• To discover how non-formal education can enhance employability of young people and guide them in finding their own career path.

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

• Target Group:
Youth workers and young unemployed people.

• Countries involved:
Italy, Czech Republic, Ireland, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Spain, UK, Romania, Netherlands

• Language of the training:
English

• The team of trainers:
Barbora Bláhová (Czech Republic), Buzz Bury (UK), Mafalda Morganti (Italy) and Carmine Rodi Falanga (Italy).

Training methods used & main activities

A wide mix of non-formal educational methods and a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. There has been a strong focus on the inputs from Ken Robinson's book "The Element" and on model of the Hero's Journey as a method for self-development.

Outcomes of the activity

Participants of the training gave very positive feedback already at the end of course and then again in the evaluation questionnaires.

We worked with the participants guiding them on a personal and social journey in order to find their "Element" and to understand their own aptitudes, passions and what they really are.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I've designed the training course and, together with my three above mentioned colleagues, developed the methods used for the training.

My role was to facilitate the course (in a team of four) and to coordinate all the activities which took part in it.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.