It`s all about communication and dialog

Aims & objectives

Throughout Europe, we can currently observe the raise of xenophobia, racism, as well as ethnic
and religious prejudices. Because of this, it is especially important to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogues, as well as attitude of tolerance and empathy. Youth workers have a great role to play in this matter, by shaping young people
attitudes on how to communicate with each other, and go beyond stereotypes.
In order to do it effectively, youth workers should have knowledge and skills on how emphatic
communication and communication without violence, as those tools can be extremely important
in promoting empathy towards other people and enable intercultural and interreligious dialogues.
Unfortunately, youth workers often do it intuitively. This project aimed to address the above
described issues.
Therefore, the objectives of the project were:
i. to equip youth workers in knowledge regarding intercultural and interreligious dialogues,
as well as empathetic and non-violent communication, and how to use it effectively within
their work with youth to influence their attitudes;
ii. to develop youth workers skills in the field of
 empathic listening,
 expressing feelings, needs and requests,
 resolving conflicts through empathic communication;
 recognizing the causes of cultural misunderstanding/ conflicts and solving them
constructively.

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

The course was attended by 24 youth workers from 8 countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Latvia,
Poland, Spain, Slovenia. Youth workers (workers or volunteers of organization) – actively working with
youth within non-formal education.

Training methods used & main activities

Non formal learning methods including group work, drama techniques, theater of the oppressed methods, exercises, games, reflection.

Outcomes of the activity

Youth workers participating in the training gained:
i) knowledge regarding
- elements and principles of empathetic communication and non-violent communication;
- intercultural and interreligious dialogues;
ii) skills in the field of
- empathic listening,
- expressing feelings, needs and requests,
- resolving conflicts through empathic communication;
- recognizing the causes of cultural misunderstanding/ conflicts and solving them constructively. As these communication ‘tools’ are strongly connected to an approach to another human, and
human interactions, based on respect, empathy and understanding for differences, they can play a
crucial role in promoting empathy towards other people and enabling intercultural and
interreligious dialogues. Thus, developing knowledge and competences of youth workers in these
field, will allow more effectively shape young people attitudes and ‘practices’ on how to communicate with each other, and go beyond stereotypes.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I prepared the program of the training and I was the main trainer.

I worked on this training for 8 days as a full time trainer.