TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Nour Alothman
The main aim of the seminar was to empower young people with migration and refugee backgrounds and to create a safe space for connection, self-expression, and identity development. The objectives were to:
• strengthen participants’ self-confidence and sense of belonging
• support young people in expressing their feelings, stories, and identities
• foster peer connection and social inclusion
• encourage creative self-expression through music and artistic methods
• provide tools for emotional reflection and personal development
• create a supportive group environment where participants can build friendships and networks
Participants: around 20 young people, mainly with migration and refugee backgrounds living in Germany
• Highly diverse group in terms of nationality, language, and life experiences
• Training team: multicultural facilitator team of the “Your Voiceland” project
• Languages used: mainly German and English, with informal language support among participants
• Strong focus on intercultural exchange and mutual learning within the group
The seminar was based on non-formal, creative, and empowerment-oriented methods, including:
• interactive get-to-know and trust-building activities
• group-building and community-building exercises
• creative music-based methods:
• writing and recording a song together
• individual reflection on personal music preferences
• a method I developed where participants choose a meaningful song and reflect on questions such as:
• Why do you like this song?
• What feelings does it create?
• Which part do you feel most connected to?
• storytelling and biographical reflection
• artistic expression and creative workshops
• facilitated group discussions and reflection rounds
All methods aimed to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
• Participants developed stronger self-confidence and communication skills
• Creation of a trusting group atmosphere and new social connections
• Participants expressed their stories and emotions through creative formats
• A collective song and artistic outputs were produced by the group
• Increased sense of belonging and empowerment among participants
• Young people gained tools for self-reflection and emotional expression
• Strengthened motivation to engage in further educational and social activities
(Can't share the song due to data protection)
My role in this seminar included:
• Co-designing the seminar concept and programme
• Planning and facilitating daily activities and workshops
• Leading creative and empowerment-focused sessions
• Developing and implementing a specific reflection method using music as a tool for self-expression
• Facilitating group processes and trust-building activities
• Supporting participants individually in expressing their stories and feelings
• Co-moderating reflection rounds and evaluations
• Contributing to the overall organization and coordination of the seminar
This seminar was part of the long-term project ‘Your Voiceland’, within which I facilitated more than 10 similar empowerment seminars with different thematic focuses.
In his work as a trainer, I have found Nour Alothman to be a very reliable person who has the ability to lead groups, respond sensitively to participants' needs, and work with a differentiated and participatory approach. It is also worth mentioning that Nour Alothman fulfills his role with a big heart and a lot of joy.
It is also worth mentioning that Nour Alothman uses his expertise and attitude to create spaces where vulnerable people who are affected by multiple forms of discrimination can flourish and feel safer. In these empowerment spaces, the young people report afterwards that they felt seen and had the opportunity to grow beyond themselves and learn new skills about themselves and in community with other people. I find it particularly remarkable that Nour Alothman manages to master and communicate situations with calmness, perseverance, and responsibility, even in difficult situations involving conflicts and challenges. It is also worth mentioning that creativity and ingenuity are among Nour's strengths, which also contributes to the pleasure of working with him.