Internet Age of Volunteering

Imagine international youth and volunteer work in internet age – partnerships made online, trainings organized via skype, information distributed easily and quickly, international teams working with skype and google docs, information shared easily and quickly, participants of international events get to know each other on facebook before the project even starts... The opportunities are many and diverse. There is other side of the coin – like replaces active citizenship and facebook becoming a variation of online TV, no control of information and statements also can bring manipulation of information and opinions, as well as harmful information being spread (hate speech online). This, and more, we plan to address during Internet Age of Volunteering training course, which will take place in Ukraine from 16th to 22nd of September with support of Youth in Action programme, EACEA. The aim of the project is to foster the usage of internet tools to promote international volunteer and youth projects and activities, learning and awareness raising opportunities of internet on human rights and social inclusion issues, possibilities to get involved and develop international youth projects online as practical tool for intercultural learning and dialogue, support of local initiatives and active citizenship. The content of the training will include following issues: Social networks: using them awareness raising on human rights, or social inclusion, climate change issues, intercultural learning and other (more than creating groups for training and sharing photos afterwards). Online project management tools: how to develop and implement an international project on human rights, combating racism or social inclusion issues; working as international team of volunteers from different countries. How online tools can make projects more participative and increase intercultural dimension Online face of youth and volunteer NGO - web-site (or blog, or facebook page): how to make interesting and appealing web-site, with awareness raising component on the themes addressed by the organization, how to make a web-site to efficient tool in online awareness raising strategy on national and international level The 3 blocks and issues addressed are closely connected, will be also addressed in complex and be all combined during the practical block to finalize the program and come up with practical tips, ideas and follow up activities. During the practical block, where participants can develop online campaign and its contents (for instance dedicated to International Volunteer Day 5th of December or International week against racism), develop guidelines on specific study case (project) for use of online project management tools and international cooperation online The training is aimed for active volunteers and staff of youth and voluntary service organizations, Service Civil International branches and partners, NGOs interested in the topics of the training and willing to contribute to improving image of voluntary organizations and ways to promote international volunteer projects. Working language of the training is English.