This is a reference for Paul Kloosterman

Intercultural learning in European youth work: time to rethink?

The training activity took place
in Bonn Germany
organised by IKAB (Institute for Applied Communication Research in Non-formal Education) German National Agency YfE
30 May - 2 June 2011

Aims & objectives

Changed conditions of contemporary European multi-cultural societies and the continued failure of state policies to achieve social integration and peace, are putting the mobilisational value of intercultural learning to the test. The comfortable centrality of intercultural learning in European youth work needs to be questioned. The time is ripe an in depth reflection on renewed and revised ways of conceptualising and implementing intercultural learning in the context of youth work in Europe.
The seminar aimed to:
• To review current understandings and practices of intercultural learning in European youth work;
• To promote cooperation and mutual learning between youth workers and trainers, youth policy experts and education researchers on concepts and practices of intercultural learning;
• To contribute to the conceptual development of intercultural learning in European youth work and the Youth in Action programme;
• To identify quality criteria for excellence in the implementation of intercultural learning in youth work and the training needs to those who are responsible for delivering it in the Youth in Action programme;
• To formulate proposals for improving the relevance and quality of intercultural learning as practised and delivered in the Youth in Action programme.

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

The groups consisted of 26 participants from 14 different countries being youth workers, trainers, researchers and policy-makers in the field of international youth work.
The team consisted of two trainers from two countries.

Training methods used & main activities

Inspired by three key-note inputs participants worked on reviewing different elements of the concept of intercultural learning as: quality criteria for icl, the political dimension of icl and intercultural competence development of young people and youth workers.
Different creative methods were used to share and discuss the topic.

Outcomes of the activity

The outcomes of the event ended up in an extensive report that was shared within the different networks of the YiA programme. IKAB took results of the seminar into their book on the same topic 'Where Do You Stand' which was published in December 2011.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

trainer

I worked on this training for 5 days as a full time trainer.

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