Social Media and Active Youth

Aims & objectives

NEEDS Active Citizenship is a concept used within EU and also beyond focusing on forms of participation that can guarantee:

- the continuation of representative and participatory democracy

-to reduce the gap between citizens and governing institutions

- to increase social cohesion

Active citizenship among young people is nowadays wishful thinking more than reality, young people growing more and more distant form politics, public arena and the decision making process (according to OECD figures).

As opposite to active citizenship, social media finds itself at the peak of its existence and attractiveness to young people.

General objective: To stimulate/increase active citizenship through the use of social media among young people over the period of 7 days.

Specific objectives:

1. To offer young people over a period of 7 days the necessary knowledge and competences to use social media as a tool to become responsible (informed and active) citizens

2. To provide young people with a set of competences that support active citizenship (both at national and European level), over the period of 7 days (this objective is accordance with a specific objective of the Erasmus+ programme: improve the level of key competences and skills for young people as well as to promote democratic life in Europe)

3. To develop multicultural skills for young people through specific activities and relations over the period of 7 days (this objective follows the line of one of the specific objectives of Erasmus+: enhance the international dimension of youth activities, in particular through the promotion of mobility and cooperation between stakeholders from Programme and Partner countries and international organisations).

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

The number of participants in mobility was 42 youth. They were selected by each organization respecting the relevant profile:

young people - 18-30 years old
secondary or tertiary graduates who use social media on a daily basis
young people who are not involved in any activity related to active citizenship
young people interested in establishing relationships with young people from other cultures
Advanced English language users...

Spain: 07 participants
Moldova – Republic of: 07 participants
Italy: 07 participants
Russian Federation: 07 participants
Poland: 07 participants
Estonia: 07 participants

Total : 42 participants

Training methods used & main activities

The project used a variety of methods: Brainstorming, group work, presentations, discussions, role play, simulations, open space discussions, questions and answers, etc.

Outcomes of the activity

The youth exchange was given priority and focus on youths who were socially excluded. The young people who have been excluded from taking active participation in activities within their communities becauseof lack of ICT skills, disability, fewer opportunities or any other barriers were emancipated to do so without fear of discrimination and exclusion. Issues that divide young people were viewed as opportunities tocrossing bridges.

All the participants had written articles and shared on social media https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2277531579008699&id=100002556379262https://www.facebook.com/AlexSunnDer/posts/2562289233823190?notif_id=1566193382355473¬if_t=feedback_reaction_genericAs well shared on their organization websites in Russia, Moldova and Spain: http://leaguethnomasters.ru/?p=219https://cedesmd.com/events/.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Liaise with managers to determine training needs and schedule training sessions.
Design effective training programs.
Select and book venues.
Conduct seminars, workshops, individual training sessions etc.
Prepare educational material such as module summaries, videos etc.
Support and mentor participants.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.