TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Marzena Ples
The REMEDY – Conflict Transformation & Mediation in Youth Work project aimed to promote mediation as a constructive and empowering tool for conflict resolution in youth work. The specific goals of the first training course in Algeciras, Spain, were to enhance participants' communication skills, deepen their understanding of conflict dynamics, and introduce effective communication approaches including active listening, non-violent communication, and intercultural dialogue. The course also laid the foundation for building a sustainable network of youth workers who are able to replicate these methods locally and act as role models for constructive conflict transformation in their communities.
The training brought together youth workers from Spain, Greece, Italy, Poland, Colombia, and Vietnam creating a unique transcontinental collaboration between Europe, Latin America, and Asia. This diversity created a rich environment for exchanging perspectives and practices from different cultural, social, and political contexts. The training team consisted of experienced facilitators from Poland and Spain, blending backgrounds in mediation, conflict transformation, and non-formal education to deliver a high-impact learning experience.
The training course in Algeciras was grounded in non-formal education and experiential learning. Participants engaged in interactive activities such as simulations, group work, discussions, creative exercises, and role-plays. The sessions explored the types and sources of conflict, intercultural communication, and strategies for active listening and feedback.
The training significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of how communication influences conflict and how it can be used as a powerful tool for resolution and transformation. Through practical exercises and reflection, participants developed key competences in active listening, paraphrasing, summarizing, and giving constructive feedback. They explored the emotional and cultural dimensions of communication, learning to recognize and respond to both verbal and non-verbal cues with greater empathy and awareness. Special attention was given to non-violent communication techniques, which helped participants understand how to express needs and emotions without escalation.
One of the main results of the training was that participants learned how to handle difficult conversations between people from different cultures. Because the group included youth workers from Europe, Latin America, and Asia, it gave everyone a special chance to talk, learn from each other, and better understand how culture affects the way we communicate. Participants practiced how to spot and respond to cultural differences in communication and how to deal with misunderstandings in a positive and respectful way.
I was responsible for creating and facilitating content aligned with the project's objectives, with a special focus on communication as a base for mediation and conflict analysis. I led sessions on communication skills, non-violent communication, feedback strategies, and intercultural dialogue, supported participants through the learning process.