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Can We Talk Again?

2021-2-AT01-KA152-YOU-0000387292021Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: AT|ES|HU|EL|IT · Grant: €17,993
Key competences developmentYouth employability

Objectives

During a previous youth exchange “Can We Talk?” in 2020 (20-K11-003) we had focused on communicative competences and using them as a tool for inclusion. While developing our competences in an international setting, we realized that the need to work on that topic is even broader than we estimated with our partners beforehand. So, taking inspiration from that and thanks to the follow-up events and discussions with the participants after that mobility, we understood that we need to create a project on communication and inclusion. Within these topics, young people spotted the problem of reoccuring misunderstandings followed by conflicts, especially in international settings, but not only. Due to that we were including conflict resolution as part of our communication and inclusion youth exchange. Young people we work with have expressed that it is good to be able to communicate in an efficient way our opinions and beliefs but for true inclusion we need to understand and solve arising conflicts as well. Youngsters of our organisations told us what extra challenges they face these days. During the online era of Covid-19 (online education in particular), conflicts were handled differently. It was possible to just “mute” someone in the online world or to not reply for a few hours when being put on the spot. Now that they spent the summer socializing again and that they are attending schools again, they have problems with communication and conflicts. The project aimed to answer the needs of young people by providing a space where they can practice their communication and conflict resolution skills. Participants discussed specific models in these topics and challenged themselves with different public speaking, role playing or simulation activities. The purpose was to let young people explore the different layers of communication in order to create a deeper level of understanding. With the help of added conflict resolution elements, it led to establishing an inclusive community. Additionally, through the gradual empowerment of the participants during the youth exchange, the participants became multipliers of these skills and values, thus young people in their local communities will also see good examples and start developing themselves. Lastly, we aimed to foster intercultural understanding and sensitivity as a skill, to get a deeper insight into the participating countries’ culture and to improve the self-reflection of youngsters, in order to support their development and lifelong learning.

Project partners (5)