TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Demir Mekic
Aims of the training were to :
• Increase participants’ knowledge and appreciation of one another’s culture and identity
• Raise awareness of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination and find ways to overcome them
• Exchange experiences related to projects dealing with LGBTTIQ issues
• Present and practice a variety of non-formal learning techniques useful for working with young people and LGBTTIQ groups
• Empower and motivate participants to develop theatre productions by and for young people to
combat discrimination and use of theatre methods in youth work
• Foster mutual support and cooperation among the international participants and encourage the
formation of long-term friendship and cooperation.
OKO NGO has experience with theatre projects by and for young people, and have come to the conclusion that theatre productions organized by young people for young people are an excellent tool to promote social topics, such as inclusion of LGBTTIQ groups of young people and the fight against severe economic challenges.
Training addressed the need of youth for tools for dealing with the topic of LGBTTIQ+ groupsm, and the need for empowering of young people to deal with social exclusion of LGBTTIQ+ communities.
Organisation OKO has a grasp experience in dealing with LGBTTIQ+ issues and in using theatre as a tool for promoting this and many social issues.
The mission of OKO organization is to create a society of equal and diverse citizens, ruled by trust, support and respect for human rights.
Target group were 35 young people coming from Serbia, Italy, Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Greece and Montenegro.
Methods used during training activities were theatre in education, social theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed (Forum theatre, Image theatre and Newspappers theatre), but aslo role play, working in groups, methods based on intercultural learning, workshops based on norm criticism approach, simulation, games and energizers.
For example, during the exploration of the norms on heterosexuality, participants were invited to explore it through the image theatre, showing one norm with their body. Later on, we discussed all the mentioned norms.
The result of the training were 11 theatre productions, theatre performances in 11 countries.
Participants were sensitized on the topic of LGBTTIQ+ issues and were taught on how to use theatre in dealing with these issues. They have aquired skills of working with youth on the topic, with using theatre methods.
Successfully implemented performances were the proof that training achieved its goals.
Beside that, on the end of the training, participants were far more sensitized and motivated to work on the topic.
Links:
http://www.okoorg.rs/playing-for-equality-2
I was in charge for designing, planing training activities and implementing the training. I was a full time trainer.