TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Sandra Gojić
Background and theme of the training course
For most of us there is a gap between the life we are leading and who we really are. We are living in a world based on who we ‘should be’ and what we ‘should do’, and therefore we are losing connection to our true identity and our unique potential. This is damaging our well- being. We believe that gaining a deeper understanding of ‘who we are’ is an empowering process which can lead to positive life changes. Empowering young people through this process could, for instance, lead to increased participation in society, or in democratic life, or to increased employability. We believe that each individual is unique and by embracing this diversity, we can enrich ourselves and indeed society. Within the context of this diversity we take into consideration one’s sexual and gender identity and societal norms that define and set up the limits of acceptable
behaviour and ways of being and expressing. Sexual and gender identity is a complex issue, influenced by culture and the social environment in which people live. It is often seen as something that should not be discussed openly and it still provokes a lot of controversy and shame. In order to live a wholesome and more meaningful life, we need to understand social, cultural and personal aspects that influence our identity, challenge the norms, and take actions which lead to a more congruent life. We can learn how to create a space for living a more authentic life, by fully accessing our own resources of doing, being and living. In this way we are also more capable of sharing our gifts with our environment. We encourage the interaction with the outside world. Well-being depends not only on the inner truth, but also on the interaction from outside. Only in this interaction with your environment – you give,
receive and accept - you can empower yourself fully as you really are. In this training course we want to emphasis on this process by mingling participants with different gender background. Moreover we focus on the interaction with the outside world during the TC and anticipating on the learning process after the journey with impulses which leads to positive change in the world of the participants. Changing the world not by dictating or forcing things, but by positive impulses.
Overall aim
The aim of this training course is to enable participants to cultivate capacities in their own
environments that encourage and empower young people to discover, understand and express their authentic self and inner diversity. We will do this by bringing participants themselves on an active journey of self-discovery. We invite participants who are open to experiencing this personal journey and who are in a position to apply their learning to their work with young people after the training course.
Objectives
To increase awareness of our own inner processes and capacities in a holistic way
(mental, physical, emotional, spiritual aspects) and explore how they are contributing to our well-being.
To understand social, cultural and environmental aspects that influence our sexual
and gender identity
To provide space for participants to understand and overcome blockages related to expressing our inner self.
To stimulate the curiosity, vulnerability, confidence and resilience of the participants.
To support participants in developing capacities that are transferable to their own environment.
To cultivate growth mindset and lifelong learning attitude and approach when supporting young people.
To provide space for sharing and exchanging good practices around sexual and gender identity and well-being.
To learn more about the Erasmus+ program and its actions, and Youth Pass as a tool of recognition of the key competences
Target group: Youth workers, project leaders and educators involved in youth work interested in topic of WellBeing and LGBT.
Participating Countries: Ireland, Russian Federation, Belgium, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Italy.
Team of Trainers; Ireland and Belgium
The working methods included case studies, working in pairs and small groups, visualizations, sensory awareness activities, contemplations, team building activities, role plays, discussions, and self-assessment and SDL.
Increased understanding of the values and beliefs heteronormative structures impose on LGBT and non young people and how is that damaging their wellbeing.
Project Coordinator and Trainer responsible for creating and delivering training programme.