"Crossroads 06: Multiple discriminations and equal opportunities in the multicultural society : the active participation of minority youth in Europe"
Seminar
3rd September - 10th September 2006
(Arrival on 3rd, departure on 10th September)
Padova, Italy
Introduction:
Progetto Giovani -Padova (Italy) in cooperation with M.T.P Oradea, WorldWide Vision Georgia and Cyprus ..
are pleased to invite YOU to:
Crossroads 06: Multiple discriminations and equal opportunities in the multicultural society : the active participation of minority youth in Europe
taking place in Padova, Italia from the 3 rd to 10 th of September 2006.
Progetto Giovani in Padova advocates and addresses issues that affect young people in the civil society. Among the issues that are high on the agenda are frequently issues concerning inclusion, information, access to employment and mobility, the importance of non-formal education and the need for increased intercultural dialogue. Through different programmes as EVS and Youth, the need to actively assist and engage disadvantaged or minority youth became visibly apparent. Consequently the topic of equal opportunities in the civil society and equal access for all, to which is dedicated Year 2007 by the European Commission, has soon become a priority in the Training Courses and Seminars organised.
Last year the focus was primarily put on gender inequality and sexual orientation within the civil society with the Training Course "Wo-Man 05 : gender identities in the multicultural society ", as follow up of the first Training Course on gender based violence held by the Council of Europe in Budapest in 2004.
Though in order to effectively influence the mainstreaming of the equality issues for all, it is needed that the different grounds of discriminations are not treated separately and that they are discussed in a wider context. After closely surveying and following various projects already running within youth organisations on a local, regional as well as European level, the organisers of "Crossroads 2006" event have decided to dedicate this Training Course to all the grounds of discriminations included in the EU Antidiscrimination Directives (2000/43, 2000/78, 2002/73) in connection with the Treaty for the EU Constitution (which includes the Charter of Nice) and to the possibility of multiple discriminations which may come by the overlapping of more grounds on minority and disadvantaged youth.
With this Seminar the organizers want to address and define issues that young people representing minority groups deal with on a daily basis from a local as well as European perspective. Through the programme of the event and topics addressed we will all together deepen the basic topics as discrimination, multiple discrimination, and explore how youth can through activities and initiatives define and address different forms of inequality, influence policy-making and concretely deal with different legislation within the area of equal opportunities and equal access. All these topics will be primarily explored and discussed within the wider social context and secondarily also within the framework of young people. This aspect is becoming more and more relevant as teh new Directives recognize a predominant role to Ngos in the pro-activity towards equality.
Aims and objectives of the Seminar
Aim:
The main aim of the conference is to empower young people, youth leaders and activists, coming from a local, regional or International field with the knowledge, experience and tools to enhance their active contribution to equality in society.
Objectives:
1 To identify and understand priorities of the European Commission and of the Council of Europe concerning discriminations, multiple discriminations, equal opportunities and equal access.
2 To explore kinds of discriminations and possibility of multiple discriminations which young people may face.
3 To provide youth leaders and youth activists with information, knowledge and tools that will strengthen their efforts at addressing the issue of equality/discrimination and above all multiple discrimination within their field of activity.
4 To further develop strategies, methodology and activities in order to address in/equality with the purpose to influence decision-making policies on a local, regional and European level: European Commission's Green Book "Equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged European Union", Coe's Compass Manual and non formal tools.
5 To strengthen cooperation, networking and sharing of information and experience among organisations and active youth working on the topic of In/equality in relation to multiple discrimination.
Programme and methodology
Topics addressed within a seven-day programme:
1 Defining and understanding the perception of discrimination, multiple discrimination, in/equality within different contexts - getting to know useful terminology connected to the topic.
2 Examples of legislations of European Union and European Countries + National Integration Programmes that promote and include equality issues - best practices and recommendations.
3 How to recognize subtile forms of discriminations (indirect, harassment and victimisation)
4 How to improve the social dialogue above all with stakeholders and influence decision makers and actively participate in the policy-making - in order to implement the equality policies.
5 Presentation of experiences and positions of different Ngos coming from EU, East Europe and Caucasus promoting and supporting the issue of equality.
6 Developing best practices on (multiple) discrimiantions and in/equality. Further ideas and projects for future activities addressing the topic of multiple discriminations, equal opportunities for all and equal access for youth.
Methodology / work methods:
6 Non-formal education and intercultural learning: European Commission Green Book, Coe's Compass Manual, simulation and Theatre of the Oppressed tecniques. This will endorse the learning process on the topics of the seminar and the exchange of information between participants, as they are the experts of their cultural context.
7 Interactive approaches and peer education in order to facilitate the exchange of various examples, best practices, strategies and recommendations coming as input from participants themselves or lecturers / guest speakers invited.
8 Working in buzz groups will provide a space where participants will be able to discuss in detail how to use information and knowledge obtained and apply them within different contexts.
9 Lectures / theoretical input will be provided by experts giving background information on the topic of in/equality in relation to the focus groups of the conference.
10 Plenary sessions will provide a space, where participants will give feedbacks and will be able to participate in a wider discussion with invited guests / lecturers.
Participants' profile
This conference will bring together 25 youth activists / leaders who:
1 Within their work/organisations already work on the topic concerning discriminations in/equality and /or belong to minority groups.
2 Can multiply the contents and results of the TC once back home within their own organisations or communities and intend to strenghten a networking with other organisations.
3 Relate in any other manner to the topic of the conference;
4 Are between 18 and 30 years of age (some exceptions are possible);
5 and want to further explore the topic of in/equality;
6 Are able to work in English and are interested in and willing to share experiences ;
7 Are committed to setting up follow-up activities after the conference;
9 Are able to attend for the full duration of the activity
Working languages
The conference will be held in English.
There will be no simultaneous translations provided.
Venue and dates
The conference will be held in Padova, Italia between 3rd September and 10 th September.
Accomodation:
Participants will be lodged in Copernico Residence, in the centre of Padova and in the bottom of the student area. Single and double rooms with bathroom. http://www.esu.pd.it/foresterie/copernico.htm
Participation Fee and Travel Reimbursement
Selected participants will be informed about the participation fee for the participation to the Seminar (which in any case will not be more than 25 EU per person) and reimbursement conditions. Participants are kindly required to arrange their journeys in the most economical way (APEX tickets, student fares ... etc.).
Participants will be reimbursed on the basis of the shortest and least expensive route between their place of residence and Padova, Italia. Payment of the travel reimbursement will be in cash at the end of the seminar.
IMPORTANT!
Only participants who will attend at least 80% of the event will be reimbursed
Reimbursement can only be made on the base of valid receipts, thus we ask
you to present us with all possible copies or originals of your travel tickets
[sursa romanian_roma]
