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(T)olerance (A)ctivating (L)iterature to (E)mpower (S)olidarity

2021-2-SK02-KA152-YOU-0000400742021Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: SK|TR|PL|LU|NL|IT · Grant: €26,514
Inclusion of marginalised young peoplePreventing racism and discriminationCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

The TALES project had several important goals, all coming from the urgent need to address the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and to help create a more inclusive and fair society in Europe. Firstly, our aim was to promote social inclusion and solidarity among young people across Europe. By bringing together 36 young individuals for 10 days to discuss and explore European tales, we hoped to deepen their understanding of inclusive societies and encourage them to stand together in the face of discrimination, which has become more pronounced since the pandemic. Another important objective was raising awareness about social inclusion and civic engagement among participants and partner organizations. By exploring national myths, legends and tales, we aimed to increase their knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards social inclusion, empowering them to actively contribute to building more inclusive communities. On top of that, we aimed to encourage the use of tales as a creative tool for social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable youth affected by the pandemic. By involving several organizations from across Europe, we aimed to promote the use of tales in addressing the challenges faced by these young people, and with that contribute to a more inclusive response to the consequences of the pandemic. What made our TALES project stand out was its use of stories and tales to bring young people together and promote understanding between cultures. We focused on practical skills, welcomed everyone, and made sure everyone could get involved, making our project both innovative and meaningful. We designed a brief outline of specific issues and interactive methods, aligning with our TALES project's objectives: Storytelling for social change: This unique workshop combined storytelling with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Participants explored the power of storytelling as a tool for social change, analyzed existing narratives surrounding inclusion and exclusion, and crafted their own stories promoting social justice and understanding. Combating hate speech: In today's digital world, online hate speech could significantly impact vulnerable youth. Workshops related to understanding other cultures and people from different backgrounds equipped participants with the knowledge and skills to be aware and avoid to hate speech. Intercultural communication and conflict resolution: This workshop delved into the complexities of intercultural communication and potential conflict situations. Participants explored cultural differences in communication styles, values, and perspectives. Digital storytelling skills and fake news on digital world: This crucial workshop addressed the challenges of misinformation and the importance of responsible online behavior. One group of our participants made a digital story on Social Media (Instagram). This showed how easy to create a story or generate a culture if you promote well and also you can have audience to believe it. Following that in the evaluation part we increased awareness about how to critically evaluate online content, identify fake news, and utilize credible sources. Utilizing tales in youth work: This workshop directly connected to the project's core concept. Participants explored traditional and contemporary tales from their respective cultures, identified themes and narratives related to social inclusion and exclusion. They then learned how to adapt these tales and incorporate them into engaging youth work activities, fostering learning, reflection, and dialogue among young people on crucial social issues. Our project activities were designed based on principles of non-formal education, ensuring that participants could enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies related to social inclusion and the EU Youth Strategy. Through these activities, we were trying to get everyone talking, using European values to guide the conversation. The idea was to bring young people together and help them support each other better in the end. In summary, the TALES project aimed to empower, engage, and connect young people to stand against discrimination, and social conflicts caused by COVID-19. By harnessing the power of tales, we aimed to improve intercultural dialogue, promote social inclusion, and enhance solidarity among European youth, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and united European society. The project aimed to align with EU Youth Strategies, fostering inclusive societies where all have a voice. It focused on empowering youth to connect for a more inclusive future, especially amidst rising social exclusion and poverty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prioritizing equal opportunities, active citizenship, and solidarity, the project embraced the principle of "Leave no one behind." Through European values, it aimed to equip participants for active community roles amidst the pandemic's impacts.

Project partners (6)