All the projects were exceptional having in mind that they were implemented with 0 funding, purely organized through the resources of participants, networks of partner organizations and in kind contribution and support provided by local stakeholders in each respective country. The projects took place in home countries of the participants: Armenia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Macedonia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania. All the projects were implemented through diversity glasses and tackled issues of minority groups living in participating countries.
After several months of hard work, series of trainings and local ground work, we have concluded our “Managing Diversity” project – a long term training course working with youth workers, youth trainers and educators. “Managing Diversity” involved 26 youth workers and educators from 13 different countries to develop their diversity management skills and support in learning how to implement a culture of diversity in their working environments.
Karine Grigoryan, a trainee from Armenia, took part in all three activities of the project. Following the training in the Netherlands, she organized professional orientation activity for young people with disabilities. Karine says: “My desire of implementing this activity was based on my belief, that no matter the type of the disability, people can discover the satisfaction that often comes from realizing and using their strongest abilities and skills”.
Another participant from Romania, Maria Carbunaru implemented an improvisational theatre in Romania involving Roma children. Maria says: “The Theater included Roma kids from poor families and orphanages. They spent a day by doing improvisational theater. In the end of the day they were happy and it made me feel good”.
Lets Play a game!
On the 11th of August, representatives from Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Moldova, Romania, Russia, as well as Italians, gathered at Tre Torri Hotel, not far from Favara, Italy to find out what is a simulation game, share their experience, and improve their leadership skills.
The training course “ToT Let’ Play a Game” was held as part of Erasmus+ projects. The program was led by Daniela Alexeiciuc and consisted of various activities. Young activists and local leaders from all over Europe participated in diverse exercises focused on simulation games.
Enacting fictitious scenarios, such as discussing a development plan of a city, or composing a survival strategy in a galaxy falling apart, the participants broadened their vision of contemporary society in its complexity, got to know the difficulties of creating a social balance and maintaining control of a situation, and developed their social communication skills. They practiced in managing public discussions, resolvingconflicts, and finding compromises. Such skills are of critical importance in the challenging situation that Europe and the whole world are facing now. As a final contribution, the participants exercised in developing their own simulation games.
Free Minds in Action, the Italian hosting NGO that organized the project, and its head Issam Regragui Soussi, warmly welcomed all the participants in Italy, and secured an impressive cultural program of the event that included a visit to the Valle dei Templi, Scala dei Turchi, and sights in Favara, as well the famous Farm Cultural Park.
It was a creative and a challenge week and thanks organizers be it we got the opportunity to broaden our horizons for new experiences.