Seeds for Change
Start date: Jun 1, 2016,
End date: Nov 30, 2016
PROJECT
FINISHED
Context/BackgroundThis Project is a response to the current refugee crisis in Europe. Europe needs more cohesive and inclusive societies which allow citizens to play an active role in democratic life . One of the main focuses of the EU youth strategy is Youth participation. In order to engage and be part of the European project, young people particular refugee need more opportunities and channels to voice their interests and views. This will be achieved through active access to information on European issues (European culture, citizenship, history, values, along with contemporary European challenges such as political integration and economic issues).The main aim of the exchange is to widen youngsters world view on the topic of migration and immigration make them more tolerant and acceptable toward differences and give them competence to address the problem in society. Based on the aim, following objectives were setObjectives• To give young refugee the opportunity to participate more in local, regional and international youth communities and have a voice in issues that affect European Citizens;Raise awareness on young migrants and refugees' life-stories and issues affecting youths across Europe through mixed media of TV, Radio, Theatre, and the Internet, with the support of experts in respective fields; • To foster and develop a sense of European identity and feeling in young people and young workers. • To empower of young people to take responsibility for sharing in decision-makingParticipantMany of the young people are refugee often isolated in the community, have low confidence and self esteem and often not confident enough to participate with mainstream society. young immigrants or refugees or descendants from immigrant or refugee families, young people belonging to a national or ethnic minority, young people with linguistic adaptation and cultural inclusion problems, etc. In addition, much of the young population of lack a stable home life and there is a dearth of positive role models or positive influences in their lives. Many of the young people are often isolated in the community, have low confidence and self esteem and often not confident enough to participate with mainstream society.Project ActivitiesThe project will deliver 10 days of activities in July 2016 including seminars, workshops and discussion based around meetings between 54 young people from participating countries, plus decision makers from partner countries, representative of a youth worker and national youth agency , with a focus on those from disadvantaged/excluded backgrounds.Non-Formal Learning: The project will provide young people the space to interact, debate and ask questions during the entire process. This will give them the opportunity to learn in an environment where their assertions will be challenged in a gentle way while ensuring they can receive information in different channels (debate, one-to-one, presentation) that can suit the informal learning styles of all the young people. There will also be online spaces on social platforms where young people can go to start a discussion with a policy maker or youth worker. This will provide another avenue for young people to develop in a personal way that affords them the opportunities.impact envisaged and finally the potential longer term benefitsIt is expected that knowledge on refugee integration, empowerment and use of their potential will be acquired by the participants. Many young people from refugee communities and marginalised groups will be given the opportunity to take part in the project which will slowly boost confidence to participate more, improving soft skills in the process that will be transferable to school, work and home life. Parallel to that, the youth will learn how to debate with others, express themselves, credibly present their arguments, as well as get more self-esteem, which will help them in further life.Also the project will improve young people’s understanding of the potential routes to employment, training, education or youth services thru the experience of the project and the youth networks utilised. As a whole PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INVOLVED in and coordinate project’s workshops, seminars, debates, essays, simulation meetings, mock exercises, media management, networking, etc. They will be engaged in on-going opportunities for pan-European exchanges of ideas and future collaborations. Increased the self-esteem, confidence and motivation of young people to get involved in local community activities and participate more in local society. This could transcend to joining community clubs, school clubs, college sports activities, societies or just reducing the fear of socialising by on their comfort zone of ghettoised cultural communities.