25-30/04/2016 - Learning programme “Youthful Europe” (Τunisia)

The activity provides youth work practitioners with a space to explore and critically reflect different approaches towards Europe through identity, values and active participation, and to promote the notion of Europe as an opportunity.
»Europe is a source of inspiration from the past, it is emancipation in the present, and an aspiration towards a sustainable future. Europe is an identity, an idea, an ideal "European Commission:New narrative for Europe Declaration.The mind and body of Europe".

The concept of Europe has been for many synonymous with modernity, affluence and civic values, such as democracy, and respect for human rights. These notions have long constituted the common narrative of Europe, despite of much destabilising political and societal turmoil in the past. Therefore the mere idea of Europe has been a crucial catalyst for the sense of shared identity and interdependency in the continent.

However, following the recent economic and socio-political challenges, the sense of belonging in, and commitment to Europe has begun to unravel, evoking political extremism and xenophobia. Consequently, the idea of unified Europe has begun to represent a threat instead of an opportunity for many young people, who are struggling for economic independence and self-actualisation in the midst of accumulating uncertainties.

The learning programme “Youthful Europe” is an initiative of the Austrian, German and Polish National Agencies for the Erasmus+: Youth in Action Programme and the three regional SALTO Centres (SEE, EECA and Euromed) responding to a need to address the European dimension in youth work and to promote the empowerment of young people taking an active role in envisaging future Europe.

The initiative has a long-term perspective consisting of semi-annual activities (including a residential training course with an e-learning phase) implemented in the regions of Partner Countries within the Erasmus+: Youth in Action Programme neighbouring the European Union: Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership countries and Russian Federation and South-Mediterranean countries, as well as the development of an e-learning tool to better enable youth work practitioners to address the topic of Europe with young people. More information on the project is available at https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/see/activities/youthfuleurope/.

This call for participants is targeting youth work practitioners interested in taking part in the learning programme focusing on the topic of Europe with specific aspects in relation to the South Mediterranean region. The programme consists of a residential training course in Tunisia in 25th - 30th of April and an e-learning phase in a closed e-learning platform set up for this activity prior (four weekly modules) and after (two weekly modules) the residential activity. The e-learning phase enables the participants to reflect and apply their learning directly in their local environment as well as in the international context. During the residential activity, the participants will also be introduced with an e-learning tool in the form of an application for tablets and mobile phones, which they can further use in their work with young people on the topic.

Aim and objectives:
The aim of the learning programme is to provide youth work practitioners with a possibility to explore and critically reflect on different approaches towards Europe through three of its constitutive elements: identity, values and active participation and further inspire young people to see Europe as an opportunity.

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