PHIREN AMENCA STUDY SESSION ON YOUTH TRANSITION THROUGH VOLUNTARY SERVICE
October 4 to 10, 2015 (including travel days)
European Youth Centre Budapest
OUTLINE & CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
ABOUT PHIREN AMENCA
Phiren Amenca is a network of Roma and non-Roma volunteers and voluntary service organizations creating opportunities for non-formal education, dialogue and engagement, in order to challenge stereotypes and racism. More information under: www.phirenamenca.eu
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The Phiren Amenca Study Session on „Youth Transition” aims to develop together with young people, volunteers, former volunteers, mentors and supervisors a new network strategy, methods and a support system regarding youth in transition from education to adulthood and labour market, with a specific focus on Roma youth and voluntary service programs. This will be a key event in the network’s goals of creating opportunities for non-formal education, dialogue and engagement to challenge stereotypes and racism. The seminar will also further enhance co-operation and learning among member organizations and external partners; and the seminar will serve to further strengthen the network’s platform of volunteers and former volunteers, serving to strengthen their role as multipliers and promoters of voluntary service and engagement.
BACKGROUND OF THE ACTIVITY
As a network of Roma and non-Roma voluteers and voluntary service organizations Phiren Amenca organizes annual networking meetings for its member organizations, and hosts in cooperation with member organizations a one week seminar for current volunteers and volunteer candidates from around Europe focusing on the exchange of experience and on Roma history, antigypsyism, discrimination, stigmatization, xenophobia, identity and culture; globalization and migration; as well as youth engagement and Roma initiatives in Europe.
Over 20 member and partner organizations from all over Europe participated in the Annual Networking Meeting of Phiren Amenca 2014, which took place on March 21-22, 2014 in Budapest. The meeting addressed key questions that are relevant for the network development, and for the quality management of voluntary service programs. A key topic in this meeting and the following in 2015 was the question how to improve the quality of our voluntary service programs through shared standards and guidelines for voluntary service organizations. The member organizations also requested to explore the issue of youth autonomy and transition to the labour market, to develop quality tools and methods for the mentors and organizations, and to prepare a long-term strategy regarding how to work with young people facing challenges in transition to adulthood, and how to involve more young Roma people in voluntary service in the network in the framework of the Phiren Amenca mission. In this study session we want to take up these topics and develop common tools for our future work in the network.
Previous volunteer seminar reports, videos and photos:
https://phirenamenca.eu/category/volunteer-seminars/
Previous report and education toolkit about the Phiren Amenca Study Session: “The European Boogie Man Complex – challenging antigypsyism through non-formal education” in cooperation with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
https://phirenamenca.eu/the-european-boogie-man-complex-educational-toolkit/
This activity is part of the youth program of the Council of Europe and the Roma Youth Action Plan which you can find online:
http://enter.coe.int/roma
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the activity are to:
⦁ learn more about the current situation, share experiences and monitor the effectiveness of voluntary service;
⦁ to challenge stereotypes and racism and support the transition of young people;
⦁ exchange experiences about needs in a support system, quality standards and ways of impoving quality in voluntary services, develop mentoring system and trainings for mentors;
⦁ develop concrete tools to improve the quality of voluntary service programs concerning preparation, mentoring and supervision of volunteers, but also the transition to their lives after the service;
⦁ discuss what are the challenges at national and in European level in terms of transition to work life, to develop clear roles and measures for voluntary service organisations, former volunteers and mentors in terms of contribution and support during transition of young people;
⦁ exchange experiences and best practices within international voluntary service programmes among sending, hosting, coordination organisations, volunteers and mentors in order to build the participants’ capacities in the field;
⦁ promote voluntary service as a tool for social inclusion of young Roma people and as an important step stone in the progression to regular employment.
PROFILE OF THE PARTICIPANTS
Present will be Roma and non-Roma volunteers, former volunteers, volunteer candidates, youth leaders, mentors and supervisors who are active in national and international voluntary service and experinced in working with Roma youth. Representatives of members of the Phiren Amenca International Network and representatives of different stakeholders, youth policy and youth work initiatives will be also invited.
All participants must also:
• be able and committed to act as multipliers in youth work on the themes of anti-discrimination and promotion of voluntary service with Roma young people, for the benefit of Roma communities and Roma youth,
• be motivated to develop their competences in voluntary service and youth work and to share their experiences with other participants,
• be aged 18 – 30 (exceptions are possible)
• be committed to attend for the full duration of the course,
• be able to work in English, or check with the coordination office that translation can be provided through other participants or team members,
• be resident in a member state of the European Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe. Here you find the list of countries: http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ChercheSig.asp?NT=018&CM=&DF=&CL=ENG
Working languages: English
DATES OF THE ACTIVITY
The arrival and departure dates for the meeting are as following:
Arrival: October 4, 2015 (Sunday)
Departure: October 10, 2015 (Saturday)
Participants should organise their travel (arrival and departure) for these dates. Earlier arrivals and late departures will be exceptions after discussion with the organisers.
PLACE
The seminar program will take place in the European Youth Centre Budapest (Hungary, 1024. Budapest, Zivatar utca 1-3.). The accommodation for the activity is provided at the European Youth Centre Budapest and is covered by the organisers of the session.
PARTICIPATION FEE
For this activity the participation fee is 50 Euro. The amount will be deducted from the travel reimbursement of the participants.
REIMBURSEMENT OF TRAVEL COSTS
The reimbursements of travel expenses (based on economical prices, Apex, student price, special price) and visa will take on the spot during the week in Euro or by bank transfer after the activity. Participants should bring with them original invoices to prove the costs of travel (ticket and visa) as well the tickets.
To be reimbursed participants should take part at least 80% in the activity.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
To apply for this study session, please complete this online form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JtRF_UVW9SWF1BeDDlkdd2yaNRgqIKJwlcYZ85YxNvY/viewform
or send the Word application Form : 2015-PA-STS-transition-Application-form to: [email protected] .
The deadline for receiving applications is set for August 20, 2015 (Thursday), midnight Central European Time. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
The preparatory team of this activity will select 35 participants. According to the profile specified above, but also ensuring geographical and gender balance (as far as possible) in the overall group composition.
We will inform participants about their selection by August 30.
ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
Write to us at [email protected] or to the team members:
Astrid Oelpenich
e-mail: [email protected]
mobile: +49-1577-1952242
Phiren Amenca
Erzsebet körut 17, V/19
1073 Budapest, Hungary
E-mail: [email protected]