OUR commUNITY
Gençlik hareketliliği · InterAktion - Verein für ein interkulturelles Zusammenleben (Avusturya) koordinatörlüğünde; GEZİDER ortak kurum olarak yer aldı.
Özet, Erasmus+ Project Results platformunda yayımlanan İngilizce metindir.
This project was a youth exchange bringing together 32 participants from 4 countries to a small city of Trofaiach in Austria to promote human rights and peace building. Young people participating at this youth exchange from four countries – which are representing the cultural diversity in Europe: Lithuania, Turkey, Macedonia and Austria – were discovering that despite the differences in the language, religion and culture, humanity unites them all.
The project was entitled “OUR commUNITY ” as a community represents besides the family the basic unit of our societies. We believe that if we are aware of our own role and contribution and we help to foster peace, mutual understanding and tolerance within a community, then peaceful, inclusive and more tolerant societies are possible.
Based on the concept of a community, participants were learning in a playful way about racism, xenophobia, stereotypes, prejudices, acceptance, inclusion, participation and diversity as an opportunity for mutual enrichment. During the youth exchange they were creating their own communities but also decide in what kind of communities they would like to live and what their contribution can be and will be like in the future.
Our participants did not only gain knowledge about the concept of a community, racism, xenophobia, stereotypes, prejudices, acceptance, inclusion, participation and diversity, they also had the opportunity to get active in Leoben and speak with citizens about the topics discusses during the YE. They have organised a free hug and free cookie campaign.
Participants have gained the following skills: organization, cooperation, team work, leadership and sense of initiative.
By using non-formal learning methods participants were:
– breaking stereotypes of different cultures;
– reflecting on differences in cultural behavior;
– learning how to express views/feelings/criticism/point out problems through art;
– raise awareness of the inequalities in society;
– developing skills of observation;
– developing skills for democratic participation, communication and co-operation.
