Hello there! Since you’re reading this file, we will consider that you’re inner voice is whispering a soft melody that animates you to discover some new facets of the non-formal learning’ universe. Hopefully, you are heading to a learning journey that fulfills this objective; we will at least try to bring you in such a setting. We are sure that a magic conductor baton asked your inner voice to whisper that melody, directing you to an educational experience connected to the concept of violence prevention. Peace with me is a 7-day training course which aims to support a network of youth workers that promote a preventive approach on conflicts and violence among their beneficiaries. We see this project as a follow-up initiative which creates added value for the participants in terms of a deeper understanding of violence and a strengthened international cooperation in this field. The project’s concept emerged from several international youth projects where IPTA provided expertise on working with violence and interpersonal conflicts. With this project, we intend to approach the need of an exhaustive understanding of different types of violence and how the sources of conflicts are creating aggression, abuse and battering. As being engaged with a large variety of groups, at both local and international level, the promoters of this project identified that a large part of the activities delivered for young people are not including a preventive dimension against abusive and violent behavioral patterns. Violence can outburst in many different facets among the youngsters, with a huge impact on the groups if it prevented. The methodology prepared involves three dimensions of the learning process: acquiring knowledge, practical experience and reflective evaluation. Encouraging a systemic thinking, the process will propose three perspectives of understanding violence: visualizing its complexity, verbalizing and expressing its complexity, and exploring the reality of the topic in many aspects. Expect to have an intense working week with a wide range of methods, from research-based tasks to fully artistic sessions, guided in a safe learning space. We will mix text reading, meditation, contact making improvisation, body expressivity and communication, analysis, reflection, theatre, emotional introspection, trust making and trust challenges, and many other. Be ready to share, give and reflect on the experience every day, 24/7. Objectives of the project • Equipping 24 youth workers with relevant competences for understanding and preventing the occurrence of interpersonal conflicts generated by abusive and violent behavioral patterns; • Incorporating in the participants’ work a preventive approach against violence manifestations by creating a personalized plan to fit each organization; • A better understanding for the participants of the principles and benefits of using holistic facilitation as a working principle; • Strengthen the cooperation between the partner organizations by creating an international network of youth workers motivated to initiate new actions connected with this topic. Who is this project for? The project was designed for youth workers, volunteers and other people who work with people with fewer opportunities on a daily basis. We designed a methodology which is helpful for persons who are active in the field of youth, education, social services, public youth services, religious based organizations or any other entity that is engaged with youngsters. Also, we expect to have a group of participants who are eager to transfer the methodology in a practical way in their groups of youngsters, and also to promote the concept of preventive education in their daily work. We will be working on the transferability of the results during the whole week, as each participant will prepare a homework before attending the event. We strongly encourage the sharing dimension of the learning process, so be ready to bring with you real examples from your work. The minimum age limit is 18, without any other limitation. We aim to have an overall number of 24 participants from the following countries: Romania, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Turkey, North Macedonia, UK and Italy. Each country will be represented by three participants. Also, we expect the participants to: – bring their input for the concept of the application, by proposing the concepts they need to explore in their current work; – express their learning needs regarding: some topics, the use of holistic facilitation and preventing the occurrence of violent acts; – take part in the promotion of the concept and being involved in the dissemination schemes; – committ themselves to stay involved in follow-up activities since they want to explore and continue working in the youth field. Some logistics The training course will be organized in the city of Oradea, located in the west side of Romania. The project will cover 100% of accommodation and material costs during the training course. Travelling costs are covered due to the Erasmus+ KA1 rules: 275 EUR for each non-RO participant. The location of our training course will be a lovely venue located in Oradea. Posticum is a multi- cultural space designed for educational and artistic programs for the local and regional community, with a polyvalent destination, used also as a Christian chapel in some private events. More details about the logistics to come once you are selected to participate in the training course. How to apply? If you are interested in this program, please send an email to tatjana@crossingborders.dk in order to be directed the application form.
