ONLINE COURSE - CONNECT & ENGAGE: Boosting the political participation of young migrants in Europe

The current context demands, more than never, a very conscious, informed, collaborative and supportive approach of youth workers, decision-makers and trainers, among other relevant stakeholders and key actors in the field while empowering young people to make the best and most ethical use of online spaces of participation, education and shaping our relationships and interactions. Online Participation of the most vulnerable groups of young people must be object of reflection, work and co-creation!

As other young people young migrants have extraordinary energy, creativity and potential for change they can largely contribute for the development and cohesion of our communities.

By increasing the civic and political participation of young migrants and young people with migrant background, institutions and organizations can bring on board new visions and innovative approaches to various challenges faced by our societies and by the European project.

Working together with young migrants and young people with migrant background by developing knowledge, skills and attitudes involving them political and civic participation on existing structures, spaces and mechanisms for youth participation in decision-making will not only increase their sense of belonging, identity and active citizenship to the European project, but also help in breaking stereotypes and act against discrimination and violence.

Therefore, the course will enable youth workers, youth leaders, migrant multipliers, project managers and project coordinators to gain knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully increase young migrants and young people with migrant background political and civic participation on various structures, spaces and mechanisms for youth participation in decision making also making use of several online tools, resources, practices and platforms.

The objectives are:

• TO EMPOWER youth workers and that are working with young migrants and young people with migrant background to better represent their interests and current challenges (such as integration, identity conflict, discrimination, employment, education, lack of youth policies and involvement in the decision-making process), making use of existing online tools, resources and platforms;
• TO ACQUIRE KNOW-HOW on concepts and roles of youth work, youth policies, migration and integration policies and institutions relevant for the engagement of migrant youth at different levels (local, national and European level), understanding the value, ethics and role of online youth work and available tools, resources and platforms;
• TO BECOME ACQUAINTED with state-of-the-art approaches and methodologies that can support youth practitioners and the young migrants and young people with migrant background, in tackling pressing issues such as inclusion;
• TO INCREASE AWARENESS of developing strategies to increase sense of belonging and active participation in order to avoid the radicalization of young people in Europe;
• TO INCREASE THE NUMBER & QUALITY of projects in the framework of Erasmus+.

Target groups:

Youth workers, Youth policy makers, Migrant multipliers, Youth leaders & Young activists, Project managers & Project Coordinators, Civil servants with responsibilities in youth departments, youth houses, etc.

The activity also foreseen that participants should be able to:

- represent or be actively engaged on a civil society organization, NGO, youth NGOs, or public structure working with the course target groups;

- have the availability to fully attend the course (synchronous online sessions)

- able to work in English;

- at least 18 years old;

It´s also expected participants to share and multiply what they learn and to implement the new knowledge and skills in their work.

Methodology & Technical requirements:

The programme consists interactive sessions, presentations and exploration of the topic using different online tools. Allowing the group to share their experiences and build on new knowledge coming from inputs and exercises.

The sessions will be divided between plenary sessions and facilitated work in smaller groups.  Participants are expected to take part in the whole training course, and contribute with their opinions and experience (please consult detailed daily programme attached). 

Technical equipment needed - Computer with camera and microphone and reliable internet connection. https://zoom.us/ and canvas.net will be the main digital platforms of the course. Participants will need to download zoom and create an account on canvas.net.

All selected participants will also be invited to a pre-meeting (welcome session) to explore the main tools that will be used along the course, to share needs and expectations, to have a first contact among themselves and the team and solve technical issues.