PEACE -Promoting European Active Citizenship in Europe

CONTEXT: 2013 was the European Year of Citizens, with the focus on the fact that citizens of Europe and neighbouring countries understand their rights and the concept of Europe as a living mechanism and these concepts continue to be relevant no matter what year emphasises it. If more informed people can take decisions in their context, and democratic life in Europe can be more vibrant at all levels. The vision for the European Citizenship is to offer to people throughout Europe chances to: -learn about the rights and opportunities, -stimulate debate about the obstacles that prevent people from fully using these rights -be encouraged to participate in civic form on European policies and issues. The training project PEACE was created from a need to offer participants a chance to identify the context of the term European Citizen (based on values not only on borders) and to empower youth leaders towards promoting active citizenship in their local context. In specific the training will give opportunities of exploring ones’ identity, citizenship, citizenship within European context and ways of active participation within the local community. AIM: The training course aims at reflecting the personal dimension (values, sense of belonging) and general dimension (rights, responsibilities) of the European citizenship concept. Also it aims at promoting active participation on local and European level among youth workers. WHAT WILL HAPPEN? 6 training days in which we will live and learn together, in order to: - Develop knowledge and competence in key concepts of European Citizenship through exploration of values, sense of belonging, rights and duties; - Be challenged to explore our identity in relation to European identity; - Be introduced with the approaches of active participation and possibilities to adapt it to our local contexts; - Develop knowledge and competence in active citizenship on a local level, but also in European context; - Reflect about the importance of European citizenship and active participation when organizing international youth projects; - Be provided with information about existing possibilities and conditions for the development of SEE and European youth co-operation projects, with special focus on the Youth in Action Programme; - Create an interactive learning and reflection group of youth workers that will Exchange best practices and afterwards lay the foundations for future international cooperation in Youth in Action projects in SEE and EU countries. METHODS: We will use methods specific to non-formal education and learning, both individual and group methods, taking into consideration participants’ learning needs. • Group work • Debates and Discussions • Simulations and Role-plays • Open space methodology • Reflection • Participatory and Improve theatre techniques • Local community and environment as a tool WHEN? 30 April – 07 May, 2014 (including arrival and departure dates) WHERE? Accommodation and training venue will be arranged at the town of Pancevo (Vojvodina region), Serbia, region that is multicultural for centuries and represents a rich environment for exploring European Awareness and Youth Participation. Who? YOU! If you: • are a youth worker or leader; • are interested in non-formal education, Europe, intercultural topics, active participation and the mix between them all; • have a minimal experience with the Youth in Action program; • believe in values such as: understanding between different cultures, social responsibility, sense of belonging to a community, youth active participation; • are at age of 18+, speak English and are willing to be an active participant in the entire course duration.