Volunteering for Remembrance

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Volunteering for Remembrance!

Phiren Amenca seminar on remembrance and human rights education

Dates: 29 April – 06 May 2015 (including arrival and departure)
Application: March 6, 2015

Programme dates: 6 program days (without arrival and departure)

Place: Oravita, Romania (https://goo.gl/maps/uPmp1)
This seminar is organized by Phiren Amenca and its member organization Nevo Parudimos.

Short Description

This project brings together 40 volunteers, youth leaders, multipliers, and trainers from over 13 different countries during a 6 day lasting seminar in Resita, Romania.The project aims at capacity-building of Roma and non-Roma youth leaders and multipliers, as well as their youth organizations in their work on remembrance, Holocaust and human rights education in order to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism. The project raises the awareness of the Roma and non-Roma participants about the remembrance of the Roma genocide, and it develops the skills and tools of youth leaders and volunteers to improve their educational practices on grassroots level around Europe. Moreover, based on the reflection of practices, the seminar will contribute to develop a strategy plan and recommendations for the Phiren Amenca network regarding volunteering and youth work on remembrance education. Based on various experiences and projects in 2013 and 2014, the remembrance and Holocaust education issue appeared as increasingly relevant in the youth work of Phiren Amenca, especially regarding educational approaches on Roma identity and human rights issues.

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

aims and objectives

Aims

This international seminar aims at capacity-building of Roma and non-Roma volunteers, youth leaders and multipliers, as well as their youth organizations in their work on remembrance, Holocaust and human rights education in order to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism.

Objectives

1. Raise the awareness of Roma and non-Roma youth leaders, multipliers and youth organizations regarding the remembrance of the Roma genocide, and the connected tools and strategies in order to challenge stereotypes, antigypsyism and racism through remembrance, Holocaust and human rights education.

2. Strengthen and develop the skills of multipliers in remembrance, Holocaust and human rights education: The main aim of the seminar is to develop the skills of youth leaders and multipliers to apply non-formal educational tools and methods in their local work with young people based on remembrance, Holocaust and human rights education.

3. Reflect practices and develop a strategy plan and recommendations for Phiren Amenca regarding volunteering for remembrance.

background of the activity

Each spring and fall Phiren Amenca 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.

“Volunteering for Remembrance! Phiren Amenca seminar on remembrance and human rights education” 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. Also 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. Phiren Amenca (formally named the Roma-Gadje Dialogue through Service Initiative) has existed as an informal network for the past 10 years, offering 1-3 seminars per year for Roma and non-Roma volunteers serving in long and short term placements across Europe and North America.

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”. https://phirenamenca.eu/the-european-boogie-man-complex-educational-toolkit/

This activity is part of the Roma Youth Action Plan which you can find online:
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/youth/Source/Training/Roma/Roma_Youth_Action_Plan_Feb2013_en.doc

how will we work?

The seminar is a six-day event involving 40 participants and trainers.

Present will be Roma and non-Roma volunteers, former volunteers, volunteer candidates and youth leaders who are active in Roma communities and experienced in working with Roma communities and/or Roma youth. Representatives from other organisations who are also working on challenging antigypsyism and education and remembrance of the Roma genocide will also be invited.

All participants must also:

be able and committed to act as multipliers in youth work on the themes of remembrance of the Roma genocide, anti-discrimination and promotion of human rights with Roma young people, for the benefit of Roma communities and Roma youth
be motivated to develop their competences in Holocaust education, anti-discrimination work, human rights education 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, including the project Implementation phase
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 one of the partner countries (mainly EU member states, Western Balkans

working language

English

participation fee

Participation fee: 50 €

In case there are any difficulties with the participation fee, please contact the organizers.

Reimbursement of travel costs:

The accommodation and board for the activity will be provided by the organizers. The reimbursements of travel expenses (based on economical prices, Apex, student price, special price) 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, as well the tickets and boarding passes.

selection procedure

Applications must be submitted until the given deadline. The preparatory team will select up to 40 participants on the basis of the profile outlined above, ensuring also a gender balance, geographical regions, different types of experiences and organisations. Candidates will be informed within one week after the deadline weather their application has been accepted or rejected.

The application forms should be sent to the following e-mail address:

[email protected]