TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Maria Kopelyan
The main objectives of this training are: to promote European cooperation in the youth field; to contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of youth organisations; to develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people; to foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries; to promote young people’s active citizenship in general and their European citizenship in particular; to offer young people the opportunity to identify common values with other young people from different countries in spite of their cultural differences; to help young people from disadvantaged groups to improve their knowledge and become active citizens.
This project united organizations that work with youth, including from ethnic and religious minorities, disadvantaged neighborhoods, different other disadvantaged groups including disabled. The work of these organizations is dedicated to the establishing of friendly relations between youth from diverse social groups and the aim of our training is to get the representatives of these organizations acquainted with each other for new partnerships and exchange of experience. We taught the participants new methods and techniques of work with youth from different social groups and showed them the examples of good practices from different countries. The diversity of chosen countries – the EU Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain; the recently accepted Romania and a soon will be member Croatia; pre-accession Turkey and Ukraine and neighboring countries Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia and Russia – helped to discuss the existing issues from different perspectives, to compare situations, and together to try to find the best solutions to address these problems and to improve situation. This project offered young people from different countries the opportunity to identify common values with other young people in spite of their cultural differences; to encourage young people to reflect on European topics and to involve them in the discussion on the construction and the future of the European Union; to stimulate young people to reflect on the essential characteristics of European society and, above all, encourage them to play an active role in their communities.
All the participants represent organizations that work in the field close to the main theme of the training course – inter-cultural or inter-religious interaction, opposing inter-ethnic hatred, promotion of tolerance, democratic values, equal opportunities and inclusion of different kinds of youth, including migrants, poor, disabled etc.
The countries involved were: Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Romania, Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia and Russia. We had one partner from each of these countries, two partners from Italy and from Romania.
The working methods were discussions, work in pairs, trios, small and big groups, interactive role-playing games, icebreakers, team-building, simulations etc. The participants were given a chance to act as trainers/facilitators. Informal communications and visits to local NGOs.
The participants learned a lot from each other, absorbed new methods of work with youth. Interactive games on team-building and leadership qualities contributed to their process of non-formal learning. An opportunity to facilitate some of the sessions and to participate in the sessions facilitated by other participants allowed them to compare the work they do and the methods they use and contributed to their self-esteem.
The participants gained new knowledge and studied new methods that they will use working with local communities. They brought the positive experience shared by representatives of other countries, communities and cultures to apply them on local ground. We hoped that it helped them to bring some positive change. The measures that were foreseen to attain this impact are: are active participation of all the members of the group; space for informal contacts; special attention to follow-up joint work. The planned measures aimed at recognizing and validating the learning outcomes of participants and promoters involved in the project are: enough space for reflection and evaluation.
The article about this training course:
http://www.west-east-fund.com/index.php/en/news/43-training-on-intercultural-dialogue-in-utrecht
Creating the project application; Identifying the partners; Communicating with partner organisations and participants; Assisting participants with logistics; All logistical issues during the training; Facilitating the process during all working days; Conducting sessions every working day together with two other trainers.