The increasing heterogeneity in society and the linked constructions of social, gender, ethnic, religious, body and cognitive differences make it necessary to have a dialogue with youth about "diversity". With the motto ‘moving together’, this project is designed to support youth in identifying where they come from, where they currently stand and where they are going. Youth of diverse backgrounds are invited to co-create a discussion and creative approach around how to move forward in a fair and just way.
The project idea was born according to the observation that youth of different backgrounds, environments and abilities rarely touch base or live common experiences together, which would be indeed needed in living towards an equal, open and more inclusive Europe.
Moving Together reaches especially marginalised young people, promoting cultural diversity, intercultural and religious dialogue, developing common values of freedom, tolerance and respect for human rights. Diversity is the core value of this project that will be experienced through living together, sharing each other’s stories and multiplying the learnings at home and in public. Youth with and without disability as well as young refugees will participate inclusively.
ACTIVITIES
1. At the beginning of the project, an Advance Planning Visit (May 2021) will invite 4 representatives of the partners from Bosnia and Herzogovina, Austria, Italy and Germany.
2. The youth exchange (August 2021) over 8 days will invite youth between 16 and 22 years from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Italy and Germany. The 20 participants with and without disability and youth with refugee background will all be involved equally making sure that each one can bring in his/her talents and skills. In the morning, they will be participating in workshops and in the afternoon they can choose a preferred leisure activity. By the end of the week, the group will jointly develop a public event in the city. The close contact, the joint development of actions and the implementation of group activities will help to break down potential stereotypes and broaden horizons. Throughout the week and workshop sessions, the youth develop work on their personal diary and focus on the motto 'moving together'.
3. The youth worker exchange (April 2022) invites 16 practitioners, educators and multipliers to exchange their experiences, improve their practices in the field of diversity education and create more synergy effects as well as new networks. Each partner will invite 2 experienced practitioners and 2 past participants of a youth exchange who would like to get trained to become a group leader. The exchange includes trainings around safeguarding, communications and on how to engage with young people. It teaches about methods that are powerful and effective when working with youth with and without disability and of different backgrounds.
The participants will collect the various methods learned and shared throughout the week and put together a simple brochure that can shall shared after the exchange.
4. In another youth exchange (August 2022) over 8 days, selected participants of the past youth exchange are invited to become trained in group leardership. 2 youth workers and 2 youth from each country are invited to co-create an inclusive programme that can also benefit the youth workers.
