Date: 19.02.2017 - 28.02.2017
Country/City: Diemerigen,
France
What
was the main topic of the event?
Stella
Raudsepp - The project comprehended a variety of topics
related to democracy and human rights. The main focus was on thought provoking
discussions to raise awareness about different aspects of democracy and how to
improve oneself and society through active participation in one’s community.
Sophia
Strömberg - Democracy and human rights
Martin
Kolberg - The main topic was the emphasis placed on the
importance of peoples´s right and duty to participate in their society´s
functioning and the encouragement of youth´s role in the democratic decision
making processes. We discussed how it is up for the people themselves to create
and be responsible for the conditions they live in – as the saying goes “be the
change you wish to see in the world”.
What
was the biggest learning moments on the event for you?
Stella
Raudsepp - Every day of the project offered an opportunity
for self-growth. All of the activities required teamwork, active participation
and creativity, which meant that we got to learn a lot from each other.
Throughout the project we got to hear, discuss and analyze the pros and cons of
democracy and the application of human rights in participating countries. I
gained a lot of valuable eye-opening knowledge. As a result, I am able to
understand and appreciate every nation on a deeper level than before.
For every workshop team was formed randomly, which
gave an opportunity to cooperate with and learn from different people every
time. No matter what the difficulty might have been, together we managed to
succeed. For example, some of the participants had a hard time expressing
themselves in English, or had an absolutely contradictory view on some things,
but those were the precious moments that made us all evolve. So I would say
that the project as a whole was a big learning experience – accepting,
respecting and learning from diversity.
Sophia
Strömberg - When I got to know about and compare how
democracy operates in different countries, a lot of culturally-shocking moments
about Turkey, when I heard what young people dislike about politics and life in
their countries
Martin
Kolberg - The project gave me a better understanding of
the privileges and human rights that I have in my home country and which we
often take for granted. I learned to appreciate the possibility of expressing
my views and emotions through free speech without the fear of repercussions or
censorship. The project also made me contemplate on questions such as “Would I
fight for my country in a war?” and “Should borders exist?” and I took great
pride in presenting my country and its innovative solutions to participants
from other countries.
Do
you have any plans to continue active in the field? If yes, what?
Stella
Raudsepp - I would love to continue participating in
different kinds of projects and also host one by myself one day!
Sophia
Strömberg - I would like to engage in helping to organize
some events and projects as much as I can now to be able to cooperate with the
organization more in the future (in writing my own project, for example)
Martin
Kolberg - I will do my best to take part in another
project because the first hand learning experience in an international
collective equips the participant with new insight and viewpoints which is very
influential in a future perspective for a young person like me. Learning from a
textbook is very different than learning from new friends throughout different
techniques of non-formal education because the workshops and activities really
make one go through self-reflection and improve the skills of analytical
thinking.
Would
you recommend it to your friends? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Stella
Raudsepp - Absolutely! There’s no better way to learn a
lot about yourself, other countries, cultures and interesting topics in such a
short period of time! Lifelong memories, burst of motivation and new friends
guaranteed!
Sophia
Strömberg - I have already recommended. J Because I think participating in
youth exchanges is one of the most vital things for young people, and by
engaging in such big an amount of projects the organization gifts a lot of
opportunities to travel and widen the knowledge in different areas, on different
topics and with new people
Martin
Kolberg - I have shared information about different
projects to my friends already and continue to do so in the future. I think
every young person should take part in similar international youth projects or
volunteering to gain knowledge about different perspectives of life that come
from different cultures. These projects give us a chance to take a look and
introduce ourselves into other peoples´s cultures in a very good and friendly
atmosphere. The experience one gets can be very influential in future decision
making and the general shaping of youth´s views towards different topics.
More
comments or anything else you would like to share? You can add here in your own
language, if you want!
Stella
Raudsepp - To have a great experience it is important to
be flexible, open-minded and positive!
Sophia
Strömberg - Just another expression of gratitude for
choosing me as a participant and of hope for further cooperation J
Martin
Kolberg - I would like to thank the organizers and
facilitators for the chance to partake in this wonderful project. I found many
new friends from all different walks of life, had fun and broadened my eyesight
regarding human rights, citizenship and the importance of every individual´s
role in building the society they live in. I would also like to mention the
accommodation and facilities we used really exceeded my expectations and the
whole thing was a very positive experience!
The complete group was formed by Marco Santos, Stella Raudsepp, Kristi Aksiim, Grete Post, Martin Kolberg and Sophia Strömberg.
This Project
was financed by European Commission's Erasmus + Programme
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