"Way Home": Volunteering in a New Ecovillage near Kiev, Ukraine

We are a group of sustainability enthusiasts from Kiev, Ukraine. We're starting an ecovillage near Yushky, Kiev region.  This year we are going to build our first, common house, which will become the community center later.

We are looking for volunteers to share the joy and help us with the construction.

The first leg of construction started on 28 April 2012. The construction will go on until October. The ecovillage is only 1h on a bus from Kiev, so you may come for any period of time you feel like.

We offer vegetarian food three times a day. Living in tents on the building site or in a local club building 4km away whichever you prefer (you will have to take a sleeping bag and a rug with you anyway). Nice, cheerful people. There is mobile network coverage on the building site. The toilet is outside. Shower water is heated by the sun.

Expect to work 6 hours a day. In spare time we will practice various crafts including pottery, woodcutting, wickerwork, macrame. During the main work you will receive a hands-on experience of building with local materials.

We have place for sleeping in our club building in Kiev. So you may come earlier and spend some time in Kiev and getting more acquainted with us.

The ecovillage will be situated in a beautiful draw. There is a stream, a forest, a beaver dam. A forest reserve is situated 2km from the building site.

No alcohol or any other drugs are allowed on the building site.

If you are interested please fill in this form: goo.gl/1rIUl

We will reach you via email with further details.

~Club for applied ecology.~

http://hatabobriv.org.ua

bthechangeu12c@gmail.com

Call for Volunteers - Eurovision Song Contest 2012

The National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAYORA) is pleased to announce the call for volunteers to serve during the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 that will be held from 22nd till 26th of May 2012. The volunteers are supposed to arrive on 20th May and depart on 27th May. 

 

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the longest running television shows in the world. It was on the 24th of May, 1956, that Europe saw the first ever Eurovision Song Contest. After 56 runnings, the contest is one of the most typical European traditions and without doubt, Europe's favorite TV show!

 

Accommodation and Costs

NAYORA will provide accommodation and meals. The costs of local transportation will also be covered by NAYORA. The volunteers will be required to cover the travel costs to Baku, Azerbaijan. 

 

Eligibility

All interested persons are eligible to apply. 

 

Application Process

Interested volunteers should send the filled-in application form and passport copies to Hasan Seyidov (hasan.seyidov@yahoo.com) by 28th February 2012.

 

Read more: http://intranet.youthforum.org/newsletters/node/27444 

EVS Volunteering in Belgium 2012-2013

The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) is looking for a volunteer to support us with our communication work towards people living with HIV/AIDS and other stakeholders. The volunteers would be involved in projects to raise awareness about HIV in Europe, mainly among young communities.

EATG is a large network of activists; we regularly receive suggestions from our members for new projects and initiatives. Our members are activists that advocate for best access to HIV prevention, treatment and care across Europe. We develop projects for universal access to HIV medicines and prevention.

Volunteers would help us in our daily tasks; and collaborate and learn with our network of members and partners.

Our target group is people living with HIV and their supporters. The volunteers would work in a young and friendly environment in our office in Brussels and would be in contact with the HIV community in Europe on a daily basis (through contact with our members and partners in different European countries). Furthermore, the volunteer would be in contact with the public health community in Brussels and the main policy makers.

The volunteers would participate in actions in different European countries targeted at the most at risk groups for HIV transmission. E.g. projects aiming to decrease stigma and discrimination; developing strategies for testing of young people and early diagnosis of HIV; raising awareness and developing knowledge of young people on HIV related issues, as well as sexual health and other sexual transmitted diseases; disseminating information about European actitivites for HIV prevention.

EATG works with the most vulnerable populations to HIV transmission (migrants, drug users, sex workers, men having sex with men). We are often confronted by issues of stigma and discrimination and inequalities in different health systems across Europe, and our work aims to tackle these inequalities.

The scope of our work in the European region, however, our activities focus in Eastern Europe, where the HIV prevalence is higher then in other European countries.We consider the project environment challenging, as the volunteer would work with us mainly on HIV prevention among most vulnerable groups in Europe and namely in Eastern Europe.  

Tasks 

- Organisation of events, including trainings: logistic support, communication with participants and follow up. (e.g. attending workshops on HIV treatment and prevention in different countries; participating in AIDS conferences and supporting us with our exhbition/booths in conferences; organising actions and demonstrations related to HIV prevention and treatment) 

- Contributing to small projects on HIV prevention, treatment and care. (e.g. AIDS&Mobility, project that aims to develop mediator training among young migrant communities in Europe; COPE Continuous Patient Education, a mechanism to fund local organisation to translate and adapt publications about HIV and sexual transmitted diseases into different languages)

- Support implementation of EATG communication strategy (e.g. development of members relations, drafting articles and editing the newsletter, updating website, organisation of our library and databases, updating Facebook and Twitter page with main HIV news). 

- Other: drafting documents and performing small translations; support dissemination of information and media relations; representing the organisation in events. 

- Development of a project for the youth HIV community in Europe with impact at national scale.

Criteria

- good communication skills 

- interest in HIV/AIDS issues, or discrimination and social exclusion 

- motivation to share knowledge at national level and raise awareness on HIV prevention

Procedure

The EATG would like to cooperate with organisations working on anti-discrimination, equal opportunities, health and youth information. We are looking for volunteers with a strong interest on HIV/AIDS issues, or with a strong interest in learning more about HIV. Young people living with HIV and/or volunteers from different backgrounds and part of migrant or other communities vulnerable to HIV transmission are encouraged to apply, however, the most important would be to host someone willing to work with HIV positive people and learn about HIV treatment, independently of his/her background. The selection is based on the motivation to develop projects on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care and to further disseminate information to his/her youth community back home. 

All our documents are written in English but our staff speak French and we would communicate in French and/or English. 

Project start date: 01/05/2012, project end date: 01/05/2013. 

Applications (CV and motivation letter) should be sent to analucia.cardoso@eatg.org until 23rd January, 2012.

Learning Arabic Language and Culture in Morocco

An Arabic Language and Culture session is a special activity that the Forum Communication des Cultures (FCC) organizes this year. The sessions will be held in Youssoufia/Rabat, Morocco.

The objectives of this activity are:

- Giving to people the opportunity to get basic knowledge about Arabic language and culture. That knowledge could be useful for him in their studies or in their daily life or in their travels in countries speaking this language.

- Giving the opportunity to people to get in touch with the Moroccan culture and its way of life, and in consequences achieve a fruitful cultural exchange.

- Giving the opportunity to people has some basic knowledge about this language to brush up it and be adapted to different ways to use it.

- Trying to connect Volunteers with friends from abroad so as to correspond between them in English or Arabic as a tool to promote their international understaning and knowledge and establish new friendship.

The courses are given by teachers’ members of FCC, who've got special training for this mission. Those teachers are flexible in managing those courses and are ready to cooperate with the participants so as to fulfil their expectations.

13 hours of learning courses per week are envisaged (Monday to Friday, morning from 9.30 to 12.00). The curriculum includes Arabic Culture, Calligraphy, Arabic language courses, Pronounciation.

At their arrival the participants will be given the FCC Arabic Language Guide.

The intercultural exchange sessions that will be organised during the Arabic program is an occasion offered by FCC to all the participants so as to present, exchange and discuss together the knowledge they got from the families.

Accommodation

The participants lodge and eat in families during the whole period. Staying with a family is a tool for FCC to give the occasion to the participants to use the Arabic language and also to discover the Moroccan way of life. All the participants are asked to respect the families’ environment and don’t behave against the local tradition; they are also asked to be sociable and are open mind so as to built good and fruitful communication with their members.

Dates

Five periods are available, and the participant who would like to attend the following period will be welcomed. 

1st Period: 05/01/2012-05/02/2012
2nd Period: 05/02/2012-05/03/2012
3rd Period: 05/03/2012-05/04/2012
4th Period: 05/04/2012-05/05/2012
5th Period: 05/05/2012-05/06/2012

Fees
Registration Fees 20 EUR
Extra fees: 100 EUR/month

Registration 

A candidate should send a motivation letter and the registration form (can de found here) to forcc.net@gmail.com

Participant has to show a strong motivation and discipline in learning a different culture and language.

Deadline for application for the 1st session: 20/11/2011.

For more information or details, please contact: forcc.net@gmail.com

More about the organization:  http://fccm.weebly.com/

U-Active Forum: Networking for Developing Youth Projects

We are pleased to invite you to the first Forum of International Youth Projects, titled “U-Active: Networking for developing youth projects”. The Forum will take place on the 24-26 November, 2011 in Grodno, Belarus. The Forum intends to bring together interesting, initiative and active students all over Europe and let them exchange their ideas by providing informative sessions and learning opportunities with outstanding speakers who have a huge international project experience and a will to help us with idea and project generation.
 

This is supposed to be the Forum where there will be a chance to establish contacts with young people, share experience, find partners for interesting project ideas and probably for future social and business projects. U-active Forum idea has been developed by a group of students studying in Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and acting in Youth-In-Club, nonformal group of students interested in developing and participating in international projects. “U-active” has a triple meaning: “you active”, “active youth” and “active University”. We are proud to welcome our delegates from all over Europe, especially those coming from our partner universities.

Important Dates
3th November, 2011 - Registration deadline
7th November, 2011 - Participant notification
24th - 26th November, 2011 - Forum days
 

Registration
Each participant has to register for the U-Active Forum. The deadline for registration is 3th November, 2011. Please fill in the Registration Form on-line carefully to provide us the relevant information (especially those who need visa to Belarus) and send us your short CV. There is a recruitment process for all applicants. All participants will be notified by e-mail until 7th November, 2011. The information about participants will be also published on the web-page.
 

Registration Fee
There is also a registration fee for participants of the U-Active Forum.
Participants have to make a payment of:
- 20 EUR: all participants
- 70 000 BYR: Belarusian participants
 

Donations from participants should be made on their arrival at the registration point. Donations in Euro are accepted equivalent to Belarusian rubles on the day of arrival.
 

The registration fee includes:

• participation in the Forum;
• access to all the program sessions;
• coffee breaks during sessions;
• conference materials;
• breakfasts, lunches and dinners throughout the Forum;
• accommodation in the student's dormitories during the Forum;
• cultural program.

Who can participate?
U-Active Forum intends to bring together interesting, initiative and active young people all over Europe and especially from partner universities. The Forum encourages the participation of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

You can participate in the Forum if you:
- have high motivation and active life style;
- are a leader of a youth or student organization;
- have some experience of youth projects realization;
- would like to realize joint international projects;
- would like to exchange your experience with Belarusian students;
- have good knowledge of English (communicative level).
 

Main requirements:
- To fill in the registration form (on-line);
- Provide a short CV (1 page).

You can read more and apply here.

Contact Information: 
tel.: +375 152 731 954, fax: +375 152 731 910
e-mail: u.active.forum@tut.by

Vacancy for EVS Volunteer in Poland

Centre for Creative Activity is looking for EVS volunteer for the period of February-November 2012. Our project is about promoting voluntarism, building local activism. Volunteer is a person involved in making actions, workshops for youth and children, can also to adults. During EVS you will be involved in coordinating local and international projects, fundraising, writing application for grants and working at school:))) also sometimes you will be involve in travelling in a region with promotion of youth in action and your country! 

Tasks

EURODESK INFORMATION POINT  - answering mails, updating website , making databases (for ex: grants, international summer courses etc)  - helping with international events 

NDIVIDUAL WORSHOPS - This activity depends of a volunteer him/her self. Depending of the wanted activity and the profile of volunteer that we will host, they will have opportunity to develop their own activity by share of his/her own interest (which means that if they are good in theatre they will have chance to organize theatre worshops or if they are good in belly dance, we will start new open for local youth).  Our main target are kids and younsgters till end of university 

WORKING ON A FIELD - In this part we planned to bring volunteers in projects on which we work, like:  - helping with local actions like: helping with studies for youth - organising free time activities for kids and youth such as concerts.  - promotion of the European integration process ( in a political and social meaning) by developing.  The four main areas, where we plan that the foreign volunteers could involve in are:  - cooperation with European School Clubs (ESC) - informal unions between the students and teachers in different types of schools from the following voivodeships: LUBUSKIE, WIELKOPOLSKIE, DOLNOŒL¥SKIE. The volunteers will travel around those voivodeships to give lectures and make workshops in kindergardens, schools about their own countries (traditions, history, educational system, young people's lifestyles) and the European Union (especialy educationals programms for youth). Apart from this the volunteers will help our volunteers to organise Europan day and Europan Youth Conference. To show the possibilities in EU for young people.  This part can be flexible, because volunteers will be involved in everything that we will do in a certain moment. If we will organize art festival they will have opportunity to be involved. In periods where field work is not necessary volunteers will have chance to develop their own  3) St. Staszic Complex of Schools in Wschowa  - helping Career Councelour with office work and leading worshops for youth 

 

Criteria

We would like to welcome a volunteer in the age between 18 - 30 y.o. with as much artistic as realistic soul, who is enthusiastic and keen to do a lot of different activities, who would like to either teach teenagers important things about dance, music, theatre and/or acting or, help with creating/editing webside of our partners institutions and our NGO. We plan that the volunteer to his/her advantage will learn many things about Polish culture and language. We need a person who would like to share with kids, and youth what is "youth in action" and what kind of europan programmes they can use in their lifes. That person should like working with children and teenagers and have communicative command of English language.It would be also perfect if person is experienced in writing grants application and fundraising. Selected candidate will be contacted in order to receive further information about the procedure and to explain details about our organisation and the available acivities in Centre for Creative Activity.

  

Procedure

ALL INTERESTED VOLUNTEERS SHOULD SEND:  

- CV  and cover letter 

- Movie about herself/himself (with info how they can contribute project , why they choose our project) 

TILL 10.10.2011 - 23.59 CET TO THE EMAIL EVS@FUNDACJA-CAT.PL.  MAILS SENT TO KONTAKT@FUNDACJA-CAT.PL WOULD BE REJECTED AUTOMATICALLY!!! We prefer if sending organisation can apply in its own country, becuase our project is still running (first one)

• Contact person: Marlena Pujsza Kunikowska
• Organisation: Centre for Creative Activity
• Location: Leszno, Poland
• Deadline: 10/10/2011
• Start: 27/02/2012
• End: 26/11/2012

EuroBelgrade 2011

Euro Belgrade 2011 is an international student sports tournament that is organized by the Faculty of organizational sciences from Belgrade (Serbia) and supported by the entire University of Belgrade. It will take place from 14th to 17th of October and during those four days students will have the opportunity to play futsal, volleyball, basketball or waterpolo during the day and party in the night. All of the games will be played at one place, in a sport complex that is positioned in a forest called Kosutnjak (the very heart of Belgrade nature) which many people find as one of the most beautiful green parts of the city. 

When you come here, besides playing sports, we will take to you visit some of the most attractive and famous Belgrade sights because our wish is to make you feel as pleasant as you can. We also want you to feel comfortable, so you can choose between three options when it comes to accomodation: you can be situated in a hotel, hostel or a gym. It depends on what you like the best. Our wish is to spread friendship, to strengthen bonds among European students and to become a brand in the next few years. We hope that we will come up with unforgettable experience to all of its participants.

So, don’t miss this opportunity and come to play&have fun with us! You will meet some wonderful people, play your favorite sport on some of the highest quality fields and enjoy in youth in the right way-on unforgettable parties!

Application deadline is September 30, 2011!

More information on how to apply, programme, fees, acomodation and everything else can be found at http://www.eurobelgrade.org

Contact:  info@eurobelgrade.org

Global Youth Summit 2011 in UK

Applications are accepted for the upcoming Global Youth Summit 2011, which will take place in the UK on 13-19 November, 2011. The call for applications is open for social entrepreneurs, community activists and volunteers aged 16-19 from around the world.

If you’re already a Changemaker who has taken part in one of our summits, you can apply for one of the positions as peer facilitator.

Please note that the application deadline is 24 July 2011!

Who can apply?
* Social entrepreneurs, community activists and volunteers aged 16-19 (on 13 November)
* Applicants must be able to make themselves available in the UK from 13-19 November
* They must not have taken part in any previous Global Changemakers summits
* They must be able to communicate comfortably in English

What is required?
* Applicants must submit the application form below, as well as a video (no longer than 2 minutes)

If I am selected, what are the costs involved?
* The following participant costs are covered by the British Council: travel, visa fee, accommodation and meals during the summit

What is the deadline?
* All applications (application form + video) must arrive by midnight on 24 July.

Click here for details and for the online application form.

International Youthcamp 2011

International Youthcamp2011 will take place on 12-14 August 2011, in Ballerup, Denmark. Active young people from all over the EU will meet to jointly develop ideas, debate democracy and establish networks across geographical borders. The activities at the Youthcamp will strengthen the young people in their work developing projects for and with young people in their local area, and engaging other young people in the democratic decision-making processes.

The camp consists of a series of workshops, where Danish and foreign presenters talk about e.g. inter alia, international political cooperation, project development and youth participation. The camp also offers social and cultural events, such as film, music, swimming, video art, song writing and much more. As a participant in the camp you will help to shape the camp and its contents.

Youthcamp Organizer Group consists of young people from Fingal in Ireland, Nacka in Sweden, Adalar in Turkey and Ballerup in Denmark.

The personal goals for the participants of the camp are to:

LEARN IT – share knowledge and experiences!
SHARE IT – create networks and relations!
DO IT – participate in social and cultural activities!

The underlying and bigger goal of the camp is to tell the world, the political leaders and the people around us that young people have dreams and ideas and want to express their opinions and to get their voices through to the political leaders. 

Eligibility  

Youthcamp2011 participants must be between the ages of 15 and 25 when the camp is held (12-14 August 2011). The Youthcamp is for young people, who have some experience with the democratic process through youth projects, youth councils or youth organizations.

Conditions for participation

Participants younger than 18 years must be accompanied by an adult or a leader over 18. The name of the leader must be provided on the registration form.

It is possible for several people from the same project, youth council, etc. to attend. If you attend as a group, the group’s other participants must be included on the registration form. If you attend as part of a group, it must be stated who is responsible for the group on the registration form.

Accommodation, food and activities

Youthcamp2011 provides accommodation, food and water for the participants free of charge. Activities described in the Youthcamp2011 programme are also free for the participants, but they must pay for OFFSITE activities requested which are not offered by Youthcamp2011.

Transport and travel costs

You are responsible for your own transport to and from Copenhagen Airport/Train Station, a mini-bus will be provided to collect you and transport you to the camp. Youthcamp2011 provides directions, timetables, etc. at www.youthcamp2011.eu, where you can also download the mini-site for mobile phones. The participants pay their own travel costs to and from Youthcamp2011. 

Registration  

Registration for Youthcamp2011 is available on the website at www.youthcamp2011.eu. Deadline - August 01, 2011.

For more information contact the Youthcamp secretariat at info@youthcamp2011.eu

Interregional Youth Forum “Team-2011”

The Interregional Youth Forum “Team-2011” will be held on August 8 – 15, 2011 in Vologda Oblast, Russia. The forum is expected to gather about 600 young people from Vologda Oblast, other Russian regions and from abroad.

The educational programme will be divided into several sections, one of which will be “International cooperation”. It is aimed to promote intercultural dialogue, youth cooperation, provide a platform where young people can share their rich experience, give an opportunity to develop international projects and find partners for them. The organizing committee is inviting 30 participants from abroad to the section.

Duration: August 8 – 15, 2011.

Venue: campground, Velikiy Ustyug district, Vologda Oblast, Russia.

Number of participants of the section: 60: 30 – from Russia; 30 – from abroad.
Working languages of the section: Russian and English.
Costs reimbursement: 70% of travel costs are reimbursed for the foreign participants. Food, accommodation (in a campground) and equipment are provided by the organizing committee.

Aim of the section “International cooperation”:

- to encourage young people in Vologda Oblast to be more active and involved in youth cooperation on the international level.

Objectives of the section “International cooperation”:

- to conduct educational activities on such topics as international relations and international cooperation;

- to conduct workshops and practice sessions on project design, social management;

- to provide conditions for the participants from different countries to share their experience in the field of youth policy;

- to provide a platform where the participants can discuss such issues of today’s world as xenophobia, racism, ways of solving them and promoting tolerance;

- to conduct an entertainment programme;

- to give the participants an opportunity to learn more about Russian language, culture and history and its place in the international community;

- to provide efficient communication for those participants, who do not speak Russian.

Educational programme:

1.      Lectures on the theory of international relations (international relations, international communication, globalization, global issues as ecology, interreligious conflicts, terrorism, overpopulation, etc.).

2.      Practical sessions on project development (idea generating, project design).

3.      Activities on Russian culture (Russia and Russian language in today’s world, cultural traditions of Russian people).

4.      Round tables (discussions of youth policy in different countries, youth as a global stakeholder, today’s hot issues).

5.      Intercultural events (presentation of countries, cultures, folk traditions).

Profile of the participants for the “International cooperation” section:
- young leaders who are actively involved in youth work, in social projects in their own countries;
- young people who are willing to develop mutual cooperation with the international community;
- people who have participated in international projects, events or/and organized one in their home countries;
- young people who are interested in learning about Russia, its language, history and culture, understand its role in the global community and wish to foster the international dialogue with this country;
 

Priority will be given to those young people, who speak both Russian and English. If a person speaks only one of the mentioned languages, he/she should be at least involved in learning the other.

The call for participants is open until May 22, 2011. Potential participants have to fill out an application form and write a motivation letter. In order to find out more about the participation procedure and receive an application form, please contact Kseniya Shorokhova, ir@upinfo.ru.

Contact person:

Kseniya Shorokhova,

International relations specialist

Vologda Oblast “Sodruzhestvo” Youth Center

ir@upinfo.ru

www.upinfo.ru

Exchange Programme Eurodyssey

EURODYSSEY, the AER first programme, which was set up in 1985, aims at improving the chances of young Europeans to integrate into working life by offering them the opportunity of a work experience abroad. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), on the basis of the Founding Texts, implements the programme since its launch in 1985, in partnership with the Regions that are active in Eurodyssey. The AER is responsible for the general framework conditions of the programme as well as its general development and promotion.

Overview

Eurodyssée is an exchange programme between European Regions, which allows young job seekers aged between 18 and 30 to benefit from a traineeship placement abroad for a period between three to seven months.In a tripartite arrangement, the regional administrations that are members of the Eurodyssey programme will submit the young persons application and profile to potential employers of their network in order to find a work placement for him/her.

Objectives

1. to integrate young people from all horizons and educational backgrounds,
2. to gain professional experience,
3. to get an opportunity to improve their knowledge of a foreign language,
4. to put their social and cultural skills to the test,
5. to enhance their employability and facilitate their adjustment to the international labour market.

Accommodation
On arrival in the Hosting Region, either trainees are responsible to find accommodation (with the Region’s assistance) or the Region fully grants the accommodation. In the second option, trainees will be housed in one of the following (depending on availability):
- young workers hostel Student’s residence
- flat
- with a family

Financing 

- language course
- accommodation
- allowance or salary
- insurance cover

Trainees will either receive a grant or be paid a salary depending on how the Eurodyssée programme is run in the Region concerned. Bearing in mind the time the payment comes through, in some cases, trainees are advised to take enough money with them to cover their needs during the first month of the traineeship.

Insurance cover

An insurance policy covering personal accident, civil liability, and health and repatriation is taken out and financed for each trainee by the Eurodyssée general secretariat and the AER.

Monitoring

During their stay abroad, trainees are followed-up and assisted by the programme coordinators of the Hosting Region in dealing with all issues arising both at work and outside. Most Regions organise visits, excursions and events designed to help the trainees assimilate and appreciate the culture of the host Region. In the month following the end of the work placement, trainees must submit a report to their home and/or Hosting Region. In general, the traineeship certificate is issued subject to reception of this report.

Application process

Step One

To participate in Eurodyssée, you have to find out first if your region is a member of the program. To do so, please check the regions listed here. Even if your region is not part of Eurodyssée, please check AER member regions list here, and contact your region.

Step Two

Then you should create your Eurodyssée profile. With it you will be able to apply to traineeships and follow all the steps and updates until you finish the traineeship. 

Step Three

Afterwards, check all available traineeship offers and choose the one that best suits you.

To create a profile and find about traineeship offers, please visit official website

X-Change Inc. - Developing Youth Exchanges

X-Change Inc. - Developing Youth Exchanges to combat poverty and social exclusion - This training is organised by Leargas, the National Agency in Ireland for the management of national and international exchange and cooperation programms in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. The training will take place on March 04-06, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland.

This is an opportunity to meet project partners working with young people with fewer opportunities to develop youth exchanges through the Youth in Action programm particularly projects working across the theme of Combating poverty and social exclusion.

X-Change Inc. aims to provide space for participants to:
•Develop contacts and networks to engage in youth exchanges with other participants working with young people with fewer opportunities.
•Share information and experiences of their organisation, target groups and projects working across the theme of combating poverty and social exclusion
•Gain a clear view of the possibilities and priorities within the Youth in Action Programm
•Understand how to include non formal learning and Youthpass in your project

Working methods:

This seminar will be dynamic using interactive and non-formal learning methods.A mix of workshops, facilitated discussions and other active tools will be used in which the participants are invited to play a central role.The activities will be led by experienced facilitators in Youth Exchanges and working with youth people with fewer opportunities.

Eligibility

• at least 18 years of age and are able to communicate in English
• working with and interested in develop youth exchanges on the theme of combating of poverty and social exclusion
• working directly with young people with fewer opportunities
• knowing what their objectives are and knowing what their young people want to reach with a youth exchange
• a youth exchange within the framework of Youth in Action

Costs

Board, lodging and programme costs will be provided and paid for by the Irish National Agency of Youth in Action. The travel costs will be paid by the National Agency of Youth in Action in your country (Please contact them to check if they will support your participation). The Irish National Agency will request €50 participation fee from Irish participants. Please check with your own National Agency on application for confirmation of participant contribution.

Application

Fill in the application form, available here, and send it to:
Patricia Dalton
Leargas 189-193 Parnell Street Dublin 1 Ireland
Phone: +353 1 8731411 /+353 1 8871218
E-mail: pdalton@leargas.ie

Go to the official website

Volunteerism and Philanthropy: Ideal or Ideology?

Coinciding with the European Year of Volunteering and LCC International University's 20th year as an institution founded on volunteerism, LCC International University (Klaipėda, Lithuania) will be holding a multidisciplinary conference titled Volunteerism and Philanthropy: Ideal or Ideology? on April 8-9, 2011.

Across the globe there is growing interest and involvement in volunteerism and philanthropy resulting in the widespread distribution of necessary resources. Medical research, educational development and the flourishing of the fine arts have been indebted to patrons and benefactors. Nonetheless, volunteerism and philanthropy raise many theological, ethical, economic and sociological questions. What effect do the generous donations of the wealthy have on non-governmental organizations and governmental organizations? Why is it that, in general, volunteerism and philanthropy flourish in capitalist countries? Is it not odd that such generosity flows out of a system dependent on consumerism? 

Do the social democracies of Europe need the concepts of philanthropy and volunteerism? What are the benefits of spreading the ideals in central and eastern Europe and what is and should be the role of politics, the Church, and artists in this endeavor? How can volunteerism and philanthropy help solve social problems without emphasizing social differences? Are volunteerism and philanthropy modern concepts, or perhaps a by-product of the Protestant work ethic? Is the motivation for philanthropy and volunteerism the same for secular humanists as for Christians and other faiths? Volunteerism often has been the purview of missions and the religious. How has their work affected nations and cultural narratives? Likewise, how has literature participated in shaping our understanding of wealth and the philanthropic responsibilities it carries? With this topic this conference aspires to engender dialogue, reflection and new insights.

We accept papers from academic researchers and university teachers, as well as intellectuals working outside of academia. Students are also encouraged to apply and participate. The language of the conference is English but papers may also be presented in Lithuanian. Paper presentations will be no longer than 15 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes allocated for questions. Papers presented at the conference will be considered for publication in the journal LCC Liberal Arts Studies.

Abstracts for Paper Due January 15, 2011
Early Registration Ends March 25, 2011

Fees for attendance:

Early Registration (until March 25th, 2011):
* 90 LTL (26 EUR) – All sessions and Friday reception;
* 35 LTL (11 EUR) – Friday session and networking reception;
* 60 LTL (17 EUR) – Saturday sessions only.

Onsite registration:
* 110 LTL (32 EUR) – All sessions and Friday networking reception;
* 50 LTL (14 EUR) – Friday session and networking reception;
* 70 LTL (20 EUR) – Saturday sessions only.

Contact information: lccaac@lcc.lt

Radvyda Vaišvilaitė
Conference Co-Chair
rvaisvilaite@lcc.lt

Andrew Kaethler
Conference Co-Chair
akeathler@lcc.lt

More information: http://www.lcc.lt/academic-conference/

TICTAC Network Training in France

TICTAC is a Network Training open for all National Agencies for the Youth in Action programme and targets at voluntary and professional youth workers and youth leaders involved in international youth work and interested in using Action 4.3 (also within 3.1) as support measures in their organization’s long term strategy.

By bringing together representatives of youth organisations from different European countries, the TICTAC TC aims at improving the potential of the participants to get involved in Action 4.3 of the Youth in Action programme and consequently increase the quality of Training and Networking activities.

The international dimension of the TICTAC TC is given by the different nationalities of participants and trainers team. This is an asset for the intercultural dimension of the course. The course methodology is based on the concept of experiential learning, in an atmosphere where participants can learn a lot from each other and have a lot of fun. Within the frame of ‘recognition of non-formal learning’, participants will receive a ‘Youthpass’ Certificate after the course upon their request.

Objectives

-  promote the YiA Programme as an Educational Tool;
-  explore the YiA Programme with a special focus on the aims of Action 4.3 and its activities;
-  understand the role of Action 4.3 & 3.1 projects within a long term strategy;
-  simulate the first steps of organising an Action 4.3 & 3.1 project within an international team;
-  develop participant’s competences in Planning Non Formal Education and InterculturalLearning Processes;
-  promote Youth Participation and European Citizenship as key elements when designing a YiA Project;

Eligibility

* youth workers and youth leaders experienced in international activity
* participants from: Belgium – FR, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Croatia, SOUTH-EAST EUROPE, EASTERN EUROPE AND CAUCASUS, Switzerland

Costs

To be checked with the National Agency of your country. The travelling and hosting costs for the participants from Eastern Europe and Caucasus and South East Europe will be covered.

Go to the program website

Open Forum "Faces and Fakings of Volunteering"

The Open Forum Bruges "Faces and Fakings of Volunteering" on 26-28 November 2010 is the first part of the project v11 which consists of a series of events contributing to the European Year of Volunteering 2011. As a first attempt to approach the topic, this weekend event will provide a framework for discussing different understandings and meanings of the term “volunteering”. This project is supported by the European Union under the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme.

What is the OpenForum Bruges about?

2011 was declared the “European Year of Volunteering” by the European Union. All over Europe Institutions and organisations will highlight the importance of volunteering for individual development and for society. Together with partner organisations from all over the continent, Citizens of Europe will realise a series of events and activities dealing with volunteering. As a first attempt to approach the topic, the OpenForum in Bruges will provide a framework for discussing different understandings and meanings of the term “volunteering”.

The aims are in particular:

- to map different meanings of the term volunteering in different social environments and based on different cultural backgrounds

- to define voluntary work in contrastation with other forms of unpaid work

- to analyse different motivations of volunteers and their respective contexts

- to identify interesting questions, controversies and topics to be addressed during the coming phases of the project and the Workshop/Seminar day on 6 May 2011 during the European Days of Volunteering in Landau in der Pfalz.

What are OpenFora?

OpenFora are weekend debates. Their objective is to bring together people from all Europe – regardless of their age, social or professional background – in order to exchange views and experience on topics related with current social and political life in Europe. So far, we have realised nine of them (see http://www.openfora.eu).

OpenFora setup spaces where European diversity can be experienced in practice. They are not conferences where showmanship is the top priority. They do not target at a specific group – be it youngsters, academics, politicians, media professional, or whatsoever. Instead, OpenFora welcome all people that are willing to actively participate in a European debate on topics that are important to them.

OpenFora is part of the Citizens of Europe project portfolio. Each OpenForum is realized with the support of a local partner organisation. The OpenForum 10 in Bruges is part of the project cycle “v11”, Citizens of Europe’s contribution to the European Year of Volunteering 2011.

Whom would we like to meet in Bruges?

Every one willing to actively engage in a debate characterized by low hierarchies is welcome to this OpenForum. All opinions are valuable and will be considered. Academic and professional backgrounds are relevant for us only to the extend they allow for interesting contributions to the debate.

We are willing to meet participants coming from the public and private sector, the academic community, civil society, arts, etc. Involving people with a variety of personal backgrounds will contribute to a lively debate with substantial results. We are particularly interested in people and organisations interested also in contributing to future parts of our project v11.

What does the OpenForum Bruges offers?

The weekend debate will follow a three-phased schedule (opening audience discussion, workshop, and special closing event). Hierarchies are meant to be particularly low, everybody coming will be encouraged and expected to contribute with own thoughts, knowledge and experience. Citizens of Europe will present a framework, initiate the debates and involve the participants according to their personal profiles and the points of view expressed when applying.

What will you gain by participating in the OpenForum Bruges?

You will get to know people involved In voluntary work or dealing with it from different contexts and geographical backgrounds. You will network and exchange experiences among exciting people; you will appreciate mutual respect and recognition when initiating and participating in a transnational European debate.

What are the conditions for participating?

Participation requires the ability to take part in a debate held in English language.

Room and board are included. A participation fee of max. EUR 60,00 (according to your place of residence) needs to be transferred to our bank account after your application has been accepted.

Find out about the fee applicable to you on: http://wiki.citizens-of-europe.eu/images/c/c0/Participation_fees_OFBruges.pdf

On request, we can refund travel tickets (max 70 %, max. 125 EUR).

What do you need to do in order to apply?

1. Fill in our application form and motivational letter, downloadable at: http://wiki.citizens-of-europe.

eu/images/8/8e/Bruges_Application_Form.doc

2. Write a short text (up to 4.000-5.000 characters), or send us visual material produced by you, which may provide an answer to one of the following questions:

• Is volunteering a life style?

• Examples for a misuse of the term “volunteering”

• Why I am a volunteer

• Volunteering & Exploitation – where is the borderline?

We are happy to receive any additional material of yours on the general programme “Contemporary Challenges to Europe” or on the specific topic of OpenForum Bruges (e.g. Internet links, artistic works, publications, etc…).

Please send your application to the following address: office@citizens-of-europe.eu with the subject: OpenForum Bruges.

The deadline for applications is 30 October 2010.

You can find the project website at: http://projects.citizens-of-europe.eu/openfora/?page_id=331

Migration and Youth in Europe – New Realities and Challenges

Minorities of Europe invites you to participate in its study session Migration and Youth in Europe – New Realities and Challenges, which will take place from November 28 – December 5, 2010 in Budapest.

Minorities of Europe (MoE) is a pan-European minority youth platform which seeks to support and assist the co-operation, solidarity and exchange between different minority communities and young people in Europe. MoE’s main international activities are: training courses, study sessions, seminars, youth exchanges and other activities in which young people are involved, especially those ones from minority background.

All participants must:* be project managers, Trainers, Youth leaders, Youth Policy Makers, Youth workers;

* have experience in the topics of the study session

* be highly motivated to participate and contribute to the event and to implementation of its results

* be ready and able to work as multipliers

* be aged between 20 and 30

* be able to attend the full duration of the training course

* be able to work in English

* reside in a Council of Europe Member State

Study Session objectives

* To exchange and analyse practice and experience, methodologies and approaches of youth work in the field of migration

* To review the opportunities provided by Council of Europe, European Youth Centres and European Youth Foundation in the field of migration and youth work

* To improve youth workers’ skills in tackling migration and integration with young people

* To develop an understanding of different aspects of migration and the relations in the context of class, race, north-south, east – west and EU/non-EU relations

* To develop new projects related to integration of young people from immigrant background

* To build new partnerships between participating organisations

* To develop a European work programme of youth projects dedicated to migration

Cost

An enrollment fee of 50 Euros is payable by each participant, aditionally travel and visa expenses will be fully reimbursed.

Application procedure

All interested applicants should fill in the application (should be requested from the organizing team) and submit it to: migrationandyouth@gmail.com

The application deadline is 10th September 2010.

The team will notify successful applicants by October 4, 2010. Please note that due to the usually high number of applicants we will only be able to inform selected participants.

More detailed info: http://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/27-230-2769/Migration%20Study%20Session%20information%20pack.pdf