TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Maria Kousoula
Brief Description of the Training Course
Based on the European Commission’s integration policy, the project "Souls without Frontiers" aimed to provide high-quality training to young educators/ trainers who are dealing with the issue of refugees’/migrants’ integration into modern EU societies, by setting as a prime aim to disseminate this specific approach-system of integration, composed of nonformal methods of education, to other organizations and NGOs deriving from the rest of the EU countries. Specifically, "Souls without Frontiers" was seeking to provide young educators with the appropriate know-how, through a well-established and concrete method on inclusion and integration. Hence, after the training’s completion, the young workers/educators were capable to methodically work with mixed groups consisting of both Europeans and migrants/ refugees, in order to achieve the social integration of the latter into the already existing communities.
The target group of this project was 32 youth workers and active members of youth organizations coming from Germany, Cyprus, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania,
Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal.
The activities of the Training Course "Souls without Frontiers" concentrated on a plurality of related concepts, such as social inclusion, conflict management, intercultural learning, the coexistence of religions, violence applied by social networks and the net, psychology of digital victims, racism and anti-racism, multi-cultural bonding, tolerance, democracy, diversity appreciation, citizenship, leadership, and active participation. All these concepts were approached through creative, experiential methods, based on non-formal educational tools, including simulation exercises, role play, creative activities, structured dialogues, group building, energizers and breaking the ice activities, theatrical games, guided discussions, presentations, activation of five senses, online activities, experimental processes, cultural activities, and strategic planning.
The Training Course successfully achieved all of its main aims and objectives.
Article: The Subtle Art of Being a Youthwork Trainer
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/subtle-art-being-youthwork-trainer-maria-kousoula/
Co-trainer.