TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Katarzyna Kowalska
Training objectives:
- To bring together different perspectives on the topic of decolonization, migration and borders
- To approach young people and provide knowledge through non-formal education methods
- To use conflict resolution methods such as Restorative Circles in order to mediate in sensitive dispute situations
- To promote tolerance and better understanding of cultures and what helps us to better understand the perspectives and stories of others
- To develop critical thinking and grow awareness of the situation of people with a migratory background
The overall training aim was to equip participating youth workers with knowledge and practical tools to address topics such as colonialism, decolonisation, migration, and identity in their regular work with young people. The training responded to participants’ and partner organizations’ need for exploring how to critically reflect on colonial narratives and power relations in their countries and how to raise young people's awareness of these topics.
The activity was part of the wider Roots and Borders programme by Kreisau Initiative, which focuses on identity, migration, and borders and explores how to use creative approaches to hold space for dialogue between young people with diverse cultural backgrounds.
The training brought together 24 youth work professionals and educators from France, Germany, Poland, and the UK. The participants included youth workers, trainers, facilitators, youth leaders, volunteering mentors, as well as teachers and researchers working on the topic of colonialism and decolonisation.
The training was entirely based on non-formal education methods and participatory, experiential learning. Methods used included participatory photography and other creative approaches to explore identity, migration, borders, and diversity, as well as Restorative Circles to explore opposing perspectives and practice approaches to dialogue in conflict sensitive settings. The programme included discussions, individual and group reflection, and exchange of experiences between participants. An important part of the training was collaborative tool development: participants and trainers jointly developed and adapted practical exercises for addressing decolonisation and identity in youth work.
The training resulted in the development of a methodological handbook "Let's decolonise youth work! Methods for non-formal education" which includes a collection of exercises on decolonisation, migration, and borders, the majority of which were developed and adapted during the activity in Poland.
Since the tranining, exercises from the toolkit have been regularly used throughout different Roots and Borders activities, including ToTs and youth exchanges as well as other educational activities implemented by the project partners.
Roots and Borders tool kit on decolonizing youth work is available here
https://v2.files.funkhaus.io/kri-2318-media/documents/ZguM_Lets_decolonise_the_international_youth_work_Kreisau-Initiative_2023.pdf
As a team members of Roots and Borders, I took an active part in planning, preparations, and designing the educational content. During the training I conducted multiple sessions focusing on identity, storytelling, and media awareness / media bias related to narratives on colonialism and decolonisation. I also provided participants with in-depth introduction on participatory media methods (especially participatory photography) and led some photo-based exercises so that they could have more practice.
I continued my work on Roots and Borders after the training as I was one of the contributors to the post-project publication on decolonisation and youth work.
Kas is an outstanding facilitator and an impressive professional, particularly in the fields of participatory media and co-creative methods. Throughout the Youth Exchange, she created an inclusive and engaging learning environment in which participants felt encouraged to contribute, experiment and express themselves. Her expertise, creativity and genuine ability to connect with young people made working with her both inspiring and deeply enjoyable. I would recommend her without hesitation.