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Europe in crisis: a call for dialogue. What can youth workers contribute?
Start date: May 1, 2016, End date: Nov 30, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

More than a million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe in 2015, as a result of the ongoing wars in the Middle East. Most of them were Syrian, followed by Afghans and Iraqis. They arrived and are still arriving in a moment of time where many citizens in European countries feel threatened by foreigners. In about every European country there is a heavy debate ongoing, on how to deal with the situation. Populist political parties profit from these sentiments, using simple slogans like ‘no more foreigners’. At the same time, it would not be correct to call all people who are critical towards the recent immigration wave ‘bigots’ or ‘racists’. Then we would basically shut down the discussion. Furthermore, we see that the debates of today are very much based on stereotypes and prejudices. With this project we call for a dialogue, to share opinions from all sides to develop better informed opinions. We also believe that knowledge is the key to understanding and compassion. This training course is organized for representatives of youth organizations from different European countries, to create a common strategy. As the crisis is a cross-border problem, it only makes sense to coordinate our actions in a European framework. After the training, the participating youth workers will be able to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue in local and international activities. This project aims to equip youth workers with competences to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue in local and international activities, particularly focused on the European Refugee Crisis. Objectives:• to exchange knowledge between representatives from different European youth organizations about the European Refugee Crisis: its origins and how way countries deal with it, including the public response;• to get a thorough understanding of concepts such as stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination;• to promote intercultural, interreligious dialogue and respect for human rights;• to develop detailed, realistic plans to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue in local and international projects;• to promote the Erasmus Plus programme.There will be in total 25 youth workers involved, and a team of 5 trainers and organizers will guide the process and manage the logistics. The working methods are based on non-formal education, with brain storms, group discussions, inputs, learning by doing, theatrical methods, energizers etc. The project will have a big impact on several target groups and fields: on the participating youth workers, on the participating youth organizations, on the youngsters in those organizations and on the general public. The participants will learn about prejudices, about the situation in Europe, about setting up local activities and on transferring knowledge and skills to youngsters in their organizations. The youngsters will be actively contributing to the society (and acquiring useful skills and attitudes) by implementing the different local activities. To conclude, the project will contribute to a better informed society, overcoming prejudices and with respect for differences.
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