Protect to Prevent
Start date: Jun 28, 2015,
End date: Dec 27, 2015
PROJECT
FINISHED
Youth exchange „Protect to Prevent“ took place in Croatia, the city of Samobor from 28th September – 6th October 2015. During 8 days 30 young people from 6 different European countries had an opportunity to meet each other, live together and acquire new skills and knowledge.The goal was to provide participants with an equal opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilled life while at the same time raising the awareness about the importance of responsible sexual behavior as well as their possibilities of being active and socially included citizen. Participants learned about prevention of irresponsible sexual behavior, keeping their reproductive health and managing intimate relations as well as how to protect themselves from STDs, including HPV, HIV and the unwanted pregnancy. They gained important knowledge on how to make informed decisions and remain healthy. They openly and without any fear or shame discussed sensitive issues regarding their sexuality, they shared their experiences listening to each others, so they could overcome prejudices, express their concerns and seek advice.
Participants came from Bulgaria, Turkey, Slovakia, Macedonia, Greece and Croatia and this diversity was excellent base for intercultural dialogue, debate and learning. Participants in this project developed necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to maintain healthy lifestyle and the negative effects of risky behavior were diminished through this project.
Methods used were: peer-learning, sharing sessions, discussion groups, role plays, different non-formal education methods, participants learned and created, shared their knowledge, experiences, customs, thought each others about their culture and language, discovered new habits and life-styles, made new friendships and actively contributed to the project. Participants during the exchange did a research in the streets of Samobor about the STDs, and included local people in the project tis way as well as invited local people to intercultural evening. Participants worked in national teams to prepare a project that they will implement back home, expressing their ideas and creativity as well as social concern and willingness to share the knowledge they gained. This encouraged them to take the initiative in their communities but unfortunately during the duration of the project they didn´t manage to implement their projects. project were all about creating a model foe sexual education in their countries.