TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for ARGYRIS CHOULIAS
“Power Games” is a training course made by youth workers for youth workers. It was a result and the continuation of the training course “Mind Games”, implemented by System and G. In that aspect was innovated as the youth workers decided the training for themselves!
At the time when inequality between women and men rages across the societies, violence is used as a method to solve social conflicts and young people ignore their power as European citizens, “Power Games” managed to train youth workers how to deal with the problems above. “Power Games” is a training course made by youth workers for youth workers. It was a result and the continuation of the training course “Mind Games”, implemented by System and G. In that aspect was innovated as the youth workers decided the training for themselves!
At the time when inequality between women and men rages across the societies, violence is used as a method to solve social conflicts and young people ignore their power as European citizens, “Power Games” managed to train youth workers how to deal with the problems above. The international training course gathered 26 international participants (from Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Ukraine, Sweden, Latvia, Israel and Palestine) for 7 days (without travel dates, 15-23/11/2013) in Komotini - Greece, so as to discuss some of the most pressing issues of the surrounding world.
Historical and present-day good practices promoting equality between the two genders, understanding of European Citizenship as the key to improve the society, but also arising gender conflicts as well as the way of dealing with all these, were constitute by far the major backbone of the training content.
By means of discussions, simulations, engaging in interactive group and pair work the participants had the opportunity to reflect upon and subsequently understand themselves what civil society is and what its role in stimulating the present day women struggle for equality is. Equipped with new tools and methodologies provided by the experts and trainers in non – violent conflict management and Youth in Action, the participants (youth workers, youth leaders, decision makers) have already started their own ventures in bringing the much needed positive change.
“Power Games” had a great impact in society of Komotini and gave us the opportunity to establish perminant activities for Social Rights. The comic book we released out with the same title “Power Games”, it was an initiative and very efficient method of follow up which our organization aims to develope further.
Historical and present-day good practices promoting equality between the two genders, understanding of European Citizenship as the key to improve the society, but also arising gender conflicts as well as the way of dealing with all these, were constitute by far the major backbone of the training content.
By means of discussions, simulations, engaging in interactive group and pair work the participants had the opportunity to reflect upon and subsequently understand themselves what civil society is and what its role in stimulating the present day women struggle for equality is. Equipped with new tools and methodologies provided by the experts and trainers in non – violent conflict management and Youth in Action, the participants (youth workers, youth leaders, decision makers) have already started their own ventures in bringing the much needed positive change.
“Power Games” had a great impact in society of Komotini and gave organisers the opportunity to establish perminant activities for Social Rights. A comic book published with the same title “Power Games”, it was an initiative and very efficient method of follow up giving a greater impact.
By using and analyzing non-violent conflict resolution methods, the program has provided to active young youth workers new tools and methods to promote both equality between the sexes and the gender dialogue back to their community.
The training course "Power Games" fulfilled all the goals it had set as managed through qualitative non formal activities to:
- Promote the discussion between the participants, about the rise of violence (social and physical) against women as well as the women disqualification in EU neighbors countries.
- Offer qualitive training activites and enable the participants to promote gender equality through non-formal education activities back to their communities.
- Educate participants in behavior and attitude analysis tools and methods (the conflict triangle).
- Launch an action plan to fight the causes and reasons for the lack of respect for the woman at the participants communities.
- Inform about the history of the position of women in European society. Movements - Conquests - Rights.
- Promote the exchange of experiences and good practices in the youth field, associated with the activation of citizens against discrimination and aganst the usage of violent methods of dispute resolution.
- Offer training for youth workers, fucused on the challenges arising in their local community. Sexual exploitation / sexual harassment / occupational exclusion / Domestic violence against women. Action Plan.
- Promote European cooperation between youth organizations in the topics of Equality, Democracy, Human Rights and the development of mutual respect between genders.
- Expose the myth of religious fanaticism as the main cause of sexism and inequality between the sexes and also promoted mutual cooperation between young people from different religions and culture to achieve common goals.
- Publish the comic "Power Games" based on theories, games and activities that took place during the project.
The international training course Power Games gathered 26 international participants (from Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Ukraine, Sweden, Latvia, Israel and Palestine) for 7 days (without travel dates, 15-23/11/2013) in Komotini - Greece, so as to discuss some of the most pressing issues of the surrounding world.
This training project was innovative as to the composition of the participants. The youth workers who came to Komotini, did not participate in order to exchange views and discuss theoretical problems and situations occurring kilometers away from their home. The participants to this training came from non -privileged areas - such as war zones and states, rural areas, immigrant groups and minority groups. From societies where are observed and the greatest inequalities between men and women.
The trainers team was by Argyris Choulias from Greece and Jorgen Johansen from Norway.
The program of activities based on the principles of non-formal education (for the main part of the activities) and informal education (particularly as regards leisure activities), including the following key features being implemented as:
- Optional / voluntary, with participants attending the program because they were interested in the topic, which feature increased active and motivated them to meet scheduled targets
- Open: there was no official certification of knowledge system in the selection of participants. The choice made by our partners based on the experience of participants in youth projects and actions as well as the incentive and capacity to deal with migration issues in the community and organization
- Centered on participant: the program of the TC and its activities, planned and implemented according to the needs and expectations of participants. All players / partners involved in the drafting of the program and provide the methodologies selected and used by the trainers. In addition, the trainers were in contact with the participants about four weeks before the TC, assessing their specific needs. Also the trainers the 1st day of TC during the inaugural assessment, adapted the program again on the participants' needs, ensuring maximum learning and program performance.
- Flexible: as mentioned above, the program progressed according to individual needs of the participants
- Turned to address the participants as sources / resources: trainers offered knowledge inputs and skills and guidance.
- Practical: the main focus of the training was the practical application of the proposed methods and tools in the field of youth, not academic or theoretical discussions and methods are irrelevant or inappropriate for young people
- Self-governing and democratic: all participants had a word in how the program evolved
- Equity: all participants to TC actively involved in program design, delivery / performance, evaluation and monitoring.
More specifically the following non formal methods have been used during the TC:
- Ice-breakers - interactive, often physical exercises used mostly during the first day (s) of the program to strengthen the team cohesion and team spirit and build trust among participants
- Team building games - a step that allowed participants to approach one another, discover the different possibilities in the group and determine their working rules
- Small working groups and discussion - this was the most commonly used method to encourage a deep, meaningful debate on a certain issue and to produce the desired results
- Discussion in plenary - a method that was used at the end of the sessions of the program to reflect summarize and update the whole team
- Simulation / role play - method used to develop targeted skills to young people and to offer their knowledge in a fun way.
- Multimedia presentations
- Creative workshops - were those that used more as all participants were asked to perform a number of different creative tasks in small teams
- Self assignments - participants were asked to perform a series of tasks individually, including maintaining a training diary where they will reflect on their learning results and progress of the TC in terms of their educational development (which was used for writing the youth pass)
-movie: were three movies with throwback to the movement for gender equality (feminist movement) and the peaceful methods of resolving disputes and claim used.
-energizers: physical and fun exercises and games lasting five minutes (aprox.every three hours, depending on the mood of the participants to their mental uplift).
The first two days through games and team building activities young people came closer, acquired cohesion as a group and trained in the thematic program. This was necessary as the third day we intensified the program (until the sixth day), and participants had already developed the necessary momentum and group cohesion. The last days were at a looser framework so young people could assess and utilize new skills, and turn them into future lf actions.Self assignments , Reflections.
Every day of the program was a combination of non-formal and informal learning activities. Until lunch through games, discussion and peer education, the program moved to the hard core of non-formal education. The afternoon sessions included more multimedia presentations which made interactively. After the dinner, with theme nights (movies, parties, cultural night ) young people continue their training through direct free communication which constitutes the main expression of informal education.
The above methodology and targeted dissemination of activities, provided us with an ideal combination which created a framework for activities which beneficially operated in mood and attention of participants, resulting in better processing and utilization of new skills.
Trained 26 youth workers on how to use non formal tools and methods in order to promote peaceful conflict management and gender equality activities.
Created and implemented an action plan to promote gender equality in all the participants communities. Partner organizations monitor the process.
Publish the comic book "Power Games" that was distributed in schools , youth centers and in our partners youth activities.
Created a new training course "RetroRespect" that was approved by Greek NA and implemented next year at Thessaloniki.
Designed the draft of the activity Something is going on with Human Rights that since then it is further developed and implemented by System and G in the high schools of Komotini.
http://www.kavalapress.gr/power-games-pechnidia-ischios-diethnes-schedio-katartisis-gia-tin-isotita-metaxi-ginekon-ke-andron/
http://www.destanea.com/tag/%CF%80%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B9%CF%86%CE%AD%CF%81%CE%B5%CE%B9%CE%B1/feed/Page-32?type=atom
http://paratiritis-news.gr/detailed_article.php?mode=print&id=163875&categoryid=3
https://twitter.com/edickomotini/status/402723322711924736
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/116243975663535186979/albums/5949358714102629489
https://www.facebook.com/groups/146371608907089/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxjo8NaAYEE
http://www.streamica.com/#v/Sxjo8NaAYEE
Design of programme and sessions
Training sessions
Reflection
Evaluation
Follow the Youth Pass process