This is a reference for Annina Laaksonen (née Hirvonen)

Intercultural Navigators

The training activity took place
in Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Bratislava, Slovakia; Kyiv, Ukraine; Brac, Croatia; Helsinki, Finland
organised by British Council
November 2008 (training for facilitators in Sweden), January - October 2009 (Intercultural Navigators modules in Finland & International Networking Events in Finland, Slovakia & Ukraine)

Aims & objectives

British Council’s programme in the field of intercultural dialogue and these are some of the questions this programme aims to answer. The programme’s vision states the following: A world in which people recognise their potential and exercise their responsibility to engage with others in the sustainable development of their communities at local and international level.

During their learning journey, the participants will explore identity, develop increased commitment to solving global issues at local level and most importantly, become more skilled in cross cultural communication and dialogue and become more aware of the role it plays in community action and cohesion.

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

Young leaders and influencers between the age 18-35. The following countries were involved: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, UK, Ukraine, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hertzegovina, Serbia, Poland, Hungary.

Training methods used & main activities

- Input from facilitators
- Small group discussions
- Experiential learning (such as exploring one's multiple identities through artwork)
- networking
- open space technique

Outcomes of the activity

- A value for social justice
- Established community and national network/s delivering programmes of community/civic engagement
- A strong sense of local culture and identity
- Commitment to life-long learning and broadening horizons
- Strong influencing and communication skills

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I was the European facilitators team's Team Leader and I was responsible for the composition of the international events' teams, supporting the in-country facilitators as well as developing means of evaluation for them. I was also working as a facilitator in both national and international events in 2008-2009.

I worked on this training for 25 days as a full time trainer.

back to top