Queering Borders - navigating intersections between queer and intercultural spaces

Aims & objectives

The activity was meant to contribute to the development of a more inclusive youth work, which is intentionally aware of queer and intercultural dimensions through an intersectional lens. The specific objectives were:
- to develop competences on interculturality as well as to deepen the understanding on gender and sexual identities;
- to overcome the sectoral approach in working with specific minority groups, by adopting a perspective of social justice for all;
- to challenge stereotypes and prejudices often present in European queer communities towards different cultures and other identity components;
- to reflect on the neocolonial approach often implied in the western concept of queerness and feminism;
- to learn how to transfer the learning outcomes of the Training Course in participants’ daily work with young people.

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

The groups was made of 24 participants from Program Countries (Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Romania, Croatia, and Poland). Participants were youth workers, facilitators, social workers, teachers, activists and youth leaders. The team of trainers consisted of 2 trainers (from Italy and from Palestine).

Training methods used & main activities

In the frame of Non Formal Education, the team used several methods and tools, such as: brainstorming, group work, individual reflection, silent floor, world café, creative expression, role play, theatrical activities, audio-visual material, theoretical input, and experiential learning. The team tried to maintain as much as possible a balance between static and dynamic methods, as well as between individual and group work.

Outcomes of the activity

Participants reflected in depth on the concepts of the Training, linking it to their work practice and their local contexts. Seven mapping activities of local or national contexts were produced, as well as an action plan per each participant to support the transferof the learning outcomes to their organisations. A report was produced by the training team. Overall, the group expressed a high level of satisfaction for the training, and the cooperation with project partners was strengthened.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

- Co-coordinating the whole process (finding partners and designing agreements, finding participants, communicating with the hosting structures, supervising logistics, issuing Youthpass certificates, supervising the reimbursement process);
- Designing the learning objectives and the learning process, the flow and sessions together with the the other trainer;
- Writing the call for participants and the application form with the other trainer;
- Facilitating the training;
- Writing a report.

I worked on this training for 5 days as a full time trainer.