YOUth VOTE!
Start date: Jan 4, 2016,
End date: Aug 3, 2016
PROJECT
FINISHED
We plan to organize a 8 day youth exchange in Cristuru Secuiesc, Romania in March with the participation of 6 countries and 5-5 youngsters (3 who never voted, 2 who voted at least once) from each country aiming to analyze the attitude of youth regarding local, national and especially European Parliament elections. Spanish, Hungarian, Romanian, French, Portuguese and Solvenian organiztions take part in the project. We aim to debate, compare the trends of presence of youngsters at these elections both in West and East Europe. For example at the E.U. Parliament elections in 2009, 71% of the youngsters below the age 25 did not go to vote. What is the reason why youngsters are absent from voting? Can they be influenced to go to vote: not by paying them down but raising their attention? Can the social media have such a big impact that can make the youths to participate at the elections? We intend to make the youngsters aware about the importance of going to vote, because in this way they can influence their future. During the mobility the participants will create 5 videos aiming to stimulate youngsters from all around Europe to participate at the elections. The participants will work in mixed groups and will create videos in the theme: Go to vote! Three of the videos will highlight the reasons why it is beneficial to go to vote, two videos will focus mainly of the negative side of being absent from voting. The videos will be presented in 3 different locations: in a local youth center and in 2 schools (for youngsters aged 17-18). For a better understanding of the subject we will invite specialists who will help the youngsters in creating a general image about the topic: how can the target groups be approached through the social media, what are the characteristics of the Romanian electorate, etc. The youngsters will be helped by two film making professionals in order to get acquainted with the film making process. Besides the thematic activities, the youth exchange will include many cultural activities aiming to facilitate the intercultural dialogue between the participating countries. At the end of the youth mobility the participants will be awarded with their Youthpass Certificates which will offer details regarding the competences they develop during the program.