Call for participants: Study Session “Why not change prejudices into experiences”

Loesje International
in cooperation with
the Directorate of Youth and Sport
of the Council of Europe

European Youth Center Budapest

21^st-27^th of November, 2011

Loesje Internationaland Loesje Armenia in cooperation with the Directorate of Youth and Sport of the Council of Europe announce this call for participants for the study Session “Why do not change prejudices into experiences” taking place 21-27 November 2011 (including arrival and departure days) at European Youth Center Budapest.

Loesje is an international freedom of speech organization. Its charter is to spread creativity, positive criticism, ideas, philosophical ponderings and thoughts on current events by way of short slogans on posters, signed by the Dutch girl ‘Loesje’.Since the beginning of 1990’s and even more since 2003 Loesje International has initiated and organized a large number of international youth exchanges, trainings, Summer Camps and seminars relating to many different themes, including freedom of speech, diversity and Human Rights to solve problems and empower youth. We have already realized many international gatherings bringing together diverse groups of participants, working on creating a joint product and a multiplier effect outlasting the project itself.

Aims ando bjectives

The training course aims to create creative tools and to empower youth leaders to work with young people helping them to undo their stereotypes and learn how to live in diverse and multicultural societies.

Objectives:

• To become aware and understand the concepts of respect, and
  appreciation for cultural diversity,

• To explore the topic of prejudices and stereotypes and how it
  looks like in the different participating countries,

• To create creative tools to work on the topic of prejudices and stereotypes,

• To reflect upon participants’ own position on the topic of  
  stereotypes and cultural diversity,

•  To develop the necessary skills in order to implement the follow up initiatives and to continue work in the area of international youth exchanges of young people

Facilitators:

• Carola Ståhl, Loesje International

• Evan Sedgwick-Jell, Loesje International

• Agnieszka Byrczek, Cazalla Intercultural

• Hussein ElShafei, project manager of the Alexandria Cancer Research Cluster in Egypt & founder Loesje Egypt

• Hranush Shahnazaryan, Course Director, head of Loesje Armenia

Profile of the participants

• Active member of youth organizations (volunteers or employees) working with international projects

• Interested in Loesje creative methods and ready to promote Council of Europe’s  values

• Between 18 and 30 years old

• Able to work in English

• Committed to participate actively in the full duration of the study session

• Committed to contribute to the follow-up activity

• Be a national or resident of one of the member states of the Council of Europe.   

Application,procedure and selection of participants

The application form must be sent to armenia@loesje.org. The deadline is 01.10.2011. The preparatory team will select thirty participants on the basis of the profile outlined above. It will try as far as possible to respect the organizations’ priorities, but also to ensure a balance between sexes, geographical regions, different types of experiences, cultural backgrounds and organizations, institutions and projects.  A waiting list may be established. Candidates will be informed whether their application has been accepted, rejected, or if they have been put on the waiting list, by 1ts October 2011.

Financial and practical conditions of participation

Travel expenses

Travel expenses and visa fees for the Study Session in Budapest are reimbursed according to the rules of the Council of Europe. Only the participants who attend the entire training course can be reimbursed. The payment will be made in cash during the study session or by bank transfer after the study session.

Accommodation

Board  and lodging  for  the residential  training  seminar will  be  provided  and  paid for by  the Council of Europe.

Enrolment fee

An enrolment fee of 50 Euros is payable by each participant. This amount will be deducted from the amount to be reimbursed for travel expenses or paid at the EYCB during the residential seminar.

Working languages

English will the working language of the Study Session.