Back to search

Peacebuilding skills for Youth Workers to prevent discrimination and to build more equal, inclusive and diverse communities.

2023-2-FI01-KA153-YOU-0001686632023Mobility of youth workersfinalized
Countries: FI|DE|CZ|HR|RO|SK|NL · Grant: €30,310
Prevention of conflicts, post-conflict rehabilitationPreventing racism and discriminationBridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divide

Objectives

Objectives for the training were versatile but clear at the application. These objectives painted a more practical approach to the goals. To develop compassionate leaders skills who are committed to positive social change To learn how to use outdoor education and nature-based learning to address differences and divisions in our communities to support experiential peacebuilding To learn how to design and implement experiential activities for youth audiences in different contexts, languages and cultures To connect and build partnerships with other individuals (youth workers) who are interested in experiential, nature-based education as a way to build capacity in local communities As an organisation promoting experiential learning and adventurous pedagogics, we will use the methods of non-formal learning throughout this training. The factors listed above have a potential to lead to social fragmentation and conflict due to lack of trust youth are having towards the public institutions - this we can say will directly affect the well-being of the youth in Europe. We wanted to address these issues by improving the skills of youth workers to build more equal and inclusive communities that respect and value diversity at all its stages. Through providing youth workers education and training to improve these skills, we believe we can support the field of youth work to mitigate the negative effects of these issues and to reach their professions main task - to help youth reach their full potential and take a role of active citizenship. Part of this training was planned to be facilitated in the natural environment as an experiential wilderness expedition. The idea was for the participants to deepen their understanding about outdoor education and nature-based learning and through their experience, see the need for anti-discrimination, equality, inclusive and diverse communities. The expedition happened like planned and most of the feedback also supports the fact that it was well put together with other programs. Other parts of the training took place in a Metsäkartano Youth Center. The location of the project was different than it was planned in an application. The Youth centre provided us a controlled environment to create workshop-styled learning about the working methods to tackle the mentioned issues and to plan implementing the learnt skills to the everyday work of the participants. According to the feedback that was received, the project managed to achieve the objectives and it was seen as an outcome of planned workshops and group activities. In addition, some of the participants also highlighted personal development becoming as big as a professional side. Please find some feedback from the participants. Part of the evaluation participants were also asked to write public statements about their experiences. I took part in a training organised by OBI and OBF in Finland, in a lovely Finnish place called Metsäkartano. And oh boy it felt like coming back home to the OB community. I am not currently working as a trainer but Outward Bound is very meaningful to me from a few years ago. Training was about experiential learning and how we could use it in peacebuilding. My brain is still processing all the knowledge and experiences but I will definitely use my learning in the future - somewhere with youth and communities. It was a pleasure to take part in this training. Something went to my eyes and heart, I wish to do it again someday or help others to take part in it. I took with me knowledge, energisers and got to experience Finnish spring weather in all its forms. But I also got a feeling of a worldwide community of people who want to be part of creating a strong, peaceful world.

Project partners (7)