INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION
The Albanian National Trust in partnership with the Mjaft Movement will conduct a youth and reconstruction summer camp that will take place from August 15th to September 15th of 2006 in the town of Gjirokastra, located in Southern Albania. We are currently accepting applications and are soliciting 40 bright youths will be drawn from Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Greece, FYR of Macedonia, Serbia & Montenegro and Croatia. The 40 participants will be brought together to attend a series leadership and ethnic reconciliation sessions while participating hands on in the reconstruction of an important historical site of cultural significance, the Bektashi Tekke in the castle of Gjirokastra, located in Southern Albania.
Our program will offer participants the opportunity to explore restoration and civic culture through real-life simulations. You will engage in structured workshops and dialogues as well as work hands on in a major restoration project alongside professional artists. Such forms of practical training, we have seen, respond best to the needs of the youth--instilling the basics of civic education, respect and education regarding art and culture, while revealing genuine leadership skills and capabilities.
We invite you to participate in this youth summer camp that contains two essential components:
The restoration of a cultural and religious monument with proven historical value
and the training of young people from the Balkans in democratization and reconciliation.
Our goal is to mold these two components together and utilize the reconstruction process along with the training sessions aiming concrete change while making a reconciliation statement.
The reconstruction component hence will not only include the renovation of major Albanian architectural gems but through the cooperative effort of youth from all over the region will come to symbolize the reconstruction of the heritage of coexistence and mutual tolerance to which these youth will be the primary heirs in a new Balkan legacy. The communal effort and this active participation of youth will be a positive step to restoring the commitment of protecting and respecting various cultural and religious values heritage as well a tangible manifestation of dialogue between the various countries transcending a legacy of ethnic and religious barriers in the process.
YOUTH CAMP INFORMATION
Location
Tekke of Melani located in a picturesque setting near the town of Gjirokastra, in southern Albania. Day trips to the surrounding towns as well as the beach will be provided by the project staff periodically during the duration of the summer camp.
Duration
The youth camp will last from August 15 until September 15, for the period of one month. You may choose to attend the camp for its full duration or for as little as 10 days during this time period that the camp will be conducted. You will need to inform us of the availability of attendance so that we may set up the accommodations accordingly.
Travel
You will be expected to pay for your own travel from your home country to Albania. Once you arrive in the country we can arrange for your travel to the camp site in the Tekke in Gjirokaster. We will provide assistance at all times with the required visas as well as travel information.
Food and Accommodation
The camp will be set up with tents in which you will be accommodated upon your arrival. Bathroom and shower facilities will be set up in the vicinity of the Tekke. All participants will be required to periodically contribute in groups of 3-4 towards cooking the meals for the camp with the aid of a head cook. Expenses for the accommodation and the food will be covered by us.
Event Participation
You do not need to have any prior experience in art renovation to attend this camp. Training sessions alongside experts will be conducted so that you may gain experience in this field. You will be expected to attend all activities that will be conducted by the project staff during your stay at the camp. A complete agenda will be given to you prior to your arrival.
Contact
For more information on the camp you can visit our website at www.mjaft.org or email directly the project coordinator Besjan Pesha at: bp@mjaft.org
Application for Participants
Please read the info leaflet on Invitation for Participation and Information, before applying. Applications are free of charge and may be duplicated.
Information about you: photo
Name:___________________________________
family name first name
Gender: Male Female
Home address/postalcode:___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Telephone number:__________________________
Email address:______________________________
Birth date:___/___/19__
Place of birth: City:____________ Country:____________
Nationality:_______________
Information about your family:
Father Mother
______________________________ full name ________________________________
____________________________ country of birth _____________________________
_____________________________ home address _____________________________
_______________________________ telephone ______________________________
_____________________________ email address _____________________________
______________________________ occupation ______________________________
Brothers/Sisters:
Names : Sex: Age: Occupation:
______________ _________ _______ _________________
______________ _________ _______ _________________
______________ _________ _______ _________________
About your education:
School name:_________________________________________________________
Year/Grade in school and year you expect to graduate: ___________________
Awards you have received: ____________________________________________
How many years have you studied English? How many hours per week do you spend studying English?
Do you speak any other language besides you native language and English? If yes, which ones?
About your academic and personal interests:
Academic subjects your are most interested in:
______________________________________________________________________
Hobbies/Interests/Clubs you belong to:
_____________________________________________________________________
Have you spent time away from your family before? Yes No
If yes, please explain:
_____________________________________________________________________
Have you traveled outside of your country before? If yes, please describe where and when:
______________________________________________________________________
About your participation in this program:
Other than activities organized by what school, what kind of volunteer activities have you participated in to serve your community?
_____________________________________________________________________
Why is your participation in this program important to you?
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Do you have any prior experience in art, restoration or reconstruction?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Anything else you would like us to know about you?
_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Application materials must be received by July 20-th 2006
Thank you for your interest in our program. Please send the completed applications by regular mail or via electronic mail to:
Mjaft Movement
Rr. Ebasanit Nr. 77
Tirana, Albania
Phone: +355 4 223 661
Email: bp@mjaft.org
[sursa balkan_youth_forum]
