Youth exchange: Through the Lens of the Other

Location: Pecs, Hungary

Dates: 21-30 April 2020

Participating countries: UK, Greece, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Malta, Sweden, Turkey

Apply here: application form

Organizer: Cum Virtute Humanitas

Deadline to apply: 29 February 2020

Date of Selection: 3 March 2020

Inquiries about this project: Daniele Trevisan – info@siriostraining.co.uk

Costs:

100% accommodation, food and program materials are free, covered by the grant from Erasmus+, Travel
There is no participation fee

Through the Lens of the Other

“Through the Lens of the Other” is a 2-year project initiated by the Greek Ngo Inter Alia (interaliaproject.com) and which sees the participation of partners from different EU countries (Italy, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Spain, Turkey and the UK).

The aim of the project to introduce and explore new ways of understanding and addressing discrimination in Europe. Critical theories in social sciences explain, through the concept of intersectionality, how oppressive social beliefs and structures (xenophobia, sexism, homophobia, ableism etc.) are interconnected; systematic oppression cannot be understood or addressed with single-issue approaches as they tend to accentuate a specific part of the target groups’ identity and, thus, perpetuate otherness. Co-existing multiple identities demand an approach to integration that is holistic and sensitive to different experiences.

TLO aims to contribute to the formation of a European society tolerant towards vulnerable, marginalized and oppressed groups through a holistic approach to discriminatory behavior.

It also aims to
– Empower individuals and reinforce the agency of marginalized groups thus enhancing their representation;
– Raise awareness on the victimization of vulnerable groups thus fostering empathy;
– Promote positive attitudes towards discriminated groups thus embracing diversity as an asset in a society;
– Reduce prejudice and promote social integration thus fostering inclusion of marginalized people;
– Promote integration and cohesion among EU member states regarding rights and freedoms.

The short and long term benefits expected for the project are the following:

Short term:
– Increased self-confidence and empowerment to pursue their rights by gaining knowledge on structural aspects of discrimination and actively engaging in the implementation of the project;
– Skills acquisition in the fields of audio-visual production, advocacy methods and event management;
– Build networks with their peers and youth organization throughout Europe;
– Familiarize with opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ program.
– Be empowered and able to imagine and collectively pursue social change;
– More positive attitudes of local communities towards them;
– Better need identification and more fruitful projects offered by youth organization;
– Better targeted local, national and European policies for youth.

The activities in the project included:
– Participation of young people in a Capacity Building Activity in Romania (April 2019)
– Participation in a Youth Exchange in Malta (September 2019)
– Organisation of a film festival in Athens (February 2020) (positively-different.net/)

The next activity in the project will be a Youth Exchange activity which will take place in Pecs (Hungary) from 21 to 30 April 2020.

The youth exchange will see the participation of youths from all partner countries who will be there to learn about intersectionality and advocacy. A detailed activity plan will be collectively planned with the input from all partner organisations, in particular the youth workers and youths participating in the event. A full programme will be defined after a careful selection of the participants and a needs analysis that will be used a basis to defining day to day activities and expected learning outcomes of participants. Non formal and informal learning methods will be used.

Travel and expenses will be covered by the grant.

We are looking for participants who can commit to taking part in the youth exchange and actively contribute to its realisation, and the spreading of the results, upon return.