TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for ilias karachalios
This seminar was part of the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity "Embracing Diversity" series, with the overarching aim of developing youth workers' diversity management skills to foster positive interactions among individuals with different religious, faith, or spiritual beliefs. The initiative seeks to empower young people to engage with religious diversity and create better opportunities for those at risk of religious discrimination. As part of the long-
term series planned until 2028, this seminar contributes to a broader set of initiatives, including webinars, study visits, partnership-building activities, and training courses.
Objectives of the Seminar
• To gain better understanding of what interfaith dialogue is/it’s not, its mechanisms and effects…, through exploration of the concepts and diverse forms and practices of interfaith dialogue.
• To reflect on personal system of believes, structural issues and organisational practices.
• To exchange strategies and practices of promoting interfaith dialogue as a mean for community and peace building.
• To strengthen inter-faith dialogue and anti-discriminatory behaviors and practices among youth professionals.
The target group for the "Power of Interfaith Dialogue Seminar" comprised participants with a demonstrated interest in interfaith dialogue, conflict resolution, and cultural diversity. The seminar drew participants from various national backgrounds, emphasizing its international scope.
Participants Profile
26 professionals working directly with young people on a regular basis. This included: youth workers, youth leaders, teachers, coaches, social and health workers and employment officers. All interested in fostering positive
dialogue, understanding diverse perspectives and contributing to community and peace-building initiatives. Believers, atheists, doubters or seekers.
The participants represented 17 countries from Erasmus+ Program and Partner countries, including: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo *
UN RESOLUTION, Lithuania, Malta, Morocco and Poland.
Activities began on Day 0, with the arrival of participants and a brief introduction to the venue, followed by informal ice-breaking to set the stage.
On Day 1, the focus was on building mutual knowledge and trust within the group and creating a shared understanding of interfaith dialogue. Participants
engaged in ice-breaking activities, such as the Name Game, followed by a session where they expressed their Expectations, Fears, and Contributions.
The day also featured the creation of a Pedagogical Contract, setting the ground rules for respectful engagement throughout the seminar. The day
concluded with Stickers in the Back, a reflective exercise aimed at exploring perceptions and prejudices.
Day 2 introduced a deeper dive into interfaith dialogue through group work, exploring Legal Frameworks on National and International Levels
concerning religious freedom. The morning sessions included an Agree/Disagree Activity where participants debated issues of freedom of religion and expression. In the afternoon, the group engaged in a World Café,
interacting with local faith representatives from Vienna who introduced their interreligious initiatives. The day ended with a Guest Speaker Session,
offering insights into how young people engage with religion today.
On Day 3, participants focused on identity and diversity. The day began with the Take a Step Forward exercise, which highlighted issues of privilege and identity. This was followed by the Identity Flower activity, allowing
participants to reflect on the multiple layers of their own identities. The afternoon was dedicated to the Development of Strategies and Action Plans,
where participants applied what they had learned to their own professional contexts, creating strategies to support interfaith dialogue in their local
settings. The seminar concluded with a Final Reflection and Closing, where participants shared their key takeaways and received certificates.
Throughout the seminar, reflection sessions were held, and feedback from participants was used to adjust the program where necessary. The seminar
provided a comprehensive approach to interfaith dialogue, combining theoretical input with practical, hands-on activities to ensure that participants left with both a deeper understanding and actionable plans.
More than 90% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the seminar’s learning outcomes.
Participants particularly appreciated:
• Increased skills in interpersonal dialogue: Participants found value in the opportunity to learn from each other and engage in dialogue. Comments such as, “I met people of different backgrounds and was inspired by their work,” and “It made me more eager to learn and explore interfaith dialogue,” reflect how the interactions fostered openness and new perspectives.
• More tools in their toolbox, both practical and theoretical: Participants valued the practical methods and theoretical insights shared during the
seminar. One participant shared, “I learned new techniques, new methods of facilitation, and how to apply interfaith dialogue practically,” while others mentioned learning about new frameworks for dialogue and religious freedom.
• Opportunities for self-reflection: Several participants emphasized the seminar’s personal impact. One participant noted, “I discovered new things about myself and how important it is to open my mind to other
perspectives,” while another shared, “I understood the importance of dialogue not just in religious matters but in fostering peace.”
Training Methodologies
The level of satisfaction with the methodologies used during the seminar was very high, with more than 95% of respondents expressing satisfaction or high satisfaction. Participants particularly appreciated the interactive nature of the activities, including the World Café, group discussions, and the agree/disagree activity, which fostered deep reflection and engagement.
Critics / Reflections / Things to Improve
Some participants identified areas for improvement in future seminars:
• More time for reflection: Participants felt more time was needed to digest the complex topics discussed. “I wish we had more time to delve deeper into the topics and share our best practices,” one participant
remarked.
• Greater exposure to local initiatives: Several participants suggested including visits to organizations or religious spaces in the hosting country to gain practical insights. One participant mentioned, “It would have been great to visit a local project in Vienna.”
• Logistics and inclusivity: A few participants highlighted issues related to dietary requirements, suggesting improvements to ensure that food options align with participants' religious needs. “It would have been
helpful to have clearer labeling of food, especially in a seminar focused on interfaith dialogue,” one participant noted.
Follow-ups
More than 85% of participants felt confident in implementing interfaith dialogue practices in their own environments, though some expressed less
confidence in organizing international activities.
Participants outlined several follow-up actions:
• Sharing knowledge with colleagues: Many participants planned to share the insights gained with their colleagues. One participant stated,
“I will share the contents of the seminar with my team and discuss how to integrate interfaith dialogue into our work.”
• Developing new projects: Some participants intended to organize Erasmus+ projects or youth exchanges, with one sharing, “I will try to organize a project that combines elements of identity and spirituality.”
• Community-based actions: Other participants plan to initiate local events and workshops, such as, “I will organize a small event in my home country to apply what I learned.”
My role in the “Power of Interfaith Dialogue” seminar involved several key tasks and responsibilities within the training team, contributing as a full-time trainer. These included:
1. Co-Facilitation of Sessions: I co-led numerous sessions throughout the seminar, coordinating with my fellow trainer, Elisabeth Palugyay, and adapting to the group’s needs. This included facilitating ice-breaking activities like the Name Game, managing group exercises such as the Stickers in the Back activity, and leading structured discussions on sensitive topics. I helped establish a safe, inclusive space where participants could express themselves openly and engage in meaningful dialogue.
2. Program Design and Methodology Selection: As part of the preparation phase, I contributed to designing the seminar’s content, ensuring a balance of theoretical input and practical exercises. I worked on selecting non-formal education methodologies that would effectively convey complex topics, such as interfaith dialogue principles, identity, and diversity. This included planning exercises like the Take a Step Forward activity to explore privilege and identity, and facilitating group discussions for deeper exploration of religious and cultural dynamics.
3. Participant Support and Feedback Integration: Throughout the seminar, I supported participants by addressing their questions and responding to individual learning needs. I conducted daily reflection and feedback sessions, allowing participants to share their insights and suggestions. Based on this feedback, I made adjustments to the program as needed, which helped to enhance engagement and meet participants’ expectations.
4. Facilitating Reflection and Self-Assessment: A significant part of my role was to guide participants in reflecting on their own belief systems and professional practices. By leading sessions focused on self-reflection, I helped participants explore their biases and the role of dialogue in fostering inclusivity. I facilitated discussions on how they could apply what they learned to their own contexts, empowering them to create action plans for implementing interfaith dialogue in their work.
5. Managing Logistics and Ensuring Inclusivity: While the logistical organization was primarily handled by other team members, I assisted in ensuring that participants felt comfortable and that the seminar environment was welcoming to all faith perspectives. This involved paying close attention to the setup of group activities, fostering respect for diverse practices, and troubleshooting any logistical issues that arose during the event.
6. Final Evaluation and Action Planning: At the seminar’s conclusion, I co-facilitated the final reflection and evaluation sessions, guiding participants in summarizing their learnings and formulating concrete follow-up actions. This included working with participants to identify practical steps for sharing knowledge within their organizations, initiating local and international projects, and integrating interfaith dialogue practices into their daily work.
In summary, my responsibilities as a full-time trainer were to co-facilitate the seminar, ensure the effectiveness of learning methodologies, support participant reflection, adapt the program based on feedback, and help participants develop actionable outcomes. My role was integral to achieving the seminar’s objectives of fostering interfaith dialogue, inclusivity, and practical application for youth professionals.