Mind your Language!

The study session "Mind your Language!" aims at promoting recognition and respect towards the minority/regional languages in the communities of the participants. During the study session we will create the space for discussing the issues of the preservation of minority/regional languages and diversity in Europe. This will be achieved through the sharing of participants’ realities, challenges and practices, and learning about the tools and instruments to work on the subject. Below are the objectives for this study session: - To work against language-based discrimination in communities across Europe; - To analyze cases of violation of the right to use minority/regional languages as expression of cultural wealth; - To compare and check practices of recognition and respect of minority/regional languages from the side of the structural support and practices of communities with different creative approaches for development and preservation of the languages; - To familiarise the participants with policy papers of the Council of Europe such as the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, and the Framework Convention for the Protection of the National Minorities; - To introduce the participants to tools of the Council of Europe such as Compass, Compasito and the Education Pack - To create a space for sharing participants realities, challenges and practices and equip them with instruments of civic activism; - To develop common actions/projects against the violation of minorities/regional languages and through it strengthen our networks. METHODOLOGY Educational approaches The Study Session will be based on non-formal education methodological principles: active participation of all participants, creation of the learning space, holistic principles, the development of intercultural learning, and human rights competences. The participants will work together for elaborating individual and common ideas of applying received knowledge and skills in their practices and setting cooperation for future. Among the planned methods will be: working groups, interactive lectures, simulation games, case studies, language animation, field studies, experts’ talks, dialogue, community mapping, world café, open space, teambuilding, and integration activities, etc. ORGANISERS’ INFORMATION The Youth Peace Ambassadors (YPA) Network is an informal network of young peace builders across Europe who work with and in conflict affected communities in order to develop a culture of peace by empowering young people, promoting human rights, dignity, equality and respect of diversity through education, advocacy and other actions. The Network gathers 77 young people from 29 member states of the Council of Europe. Since 2014 YPA Network organizes actions the members local communities, online and international meetings such as this study session. Our mission is to a culture of peace by empowering young people, promoting human rights, dignity, equality and respect of diversity through education, advocacy and other actions through projects at local and international level. Phiren Amenca Network – 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. Each spring and fall Phiren Amenca host 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. In October 2012 Phiren Amenca organized a study session with the Council of Europe on challenging antigypsyism, the results were published: http://phirenamenca.eu/the-european-boogie-man-complex-educational-toolkit/. In March 2014 Phiren Amenca organized with the Youth Department the study session "Beyond Roma and Diversity" on gender, multiple discrimination and intersectionality. Youth of European Nationalities (YEN) is a dynamic and active network of youth organizations in a multicultural and multilingual Europe, representing and fighting for the interests and rights of ethnic and autochthonous minorities. Young people for young people, all participants, run YEN and persons responsible are under 30 years. YEN plans, and runs seminars and trainings using non-formal education methodologies. In this way YEN strengthens the connection between minorities, as well as works on strategies to develop minority rights further. The positions found in this strategies are then transported via public relations and lobbying on different levels to influence policy makers on the needs of minorities. By support of its members in exchanging and networking, YEN supports the strive of European institutions to guarantee human rights. YEN are partners in different projects like the "Language diversity" and the "Roma genocide remembrance initiative". PARTICIPANT’S INFORMATION Profile of the participants: ● to be actively involved in their organisation and development of their networks; ● have practical experience in various ways of youth work and activism; ● ready to implement common actions on a local and international level; ● interested in personal development; ● ideally able to work in English; ● able and interested to work in a team of young people with different cultural backgrounds; ● able to attend the whole period of the study session; Technical conditions ● Group of 30 participants ● All travel and lodging expenses of participants will be covered by the Council of Europe (by returning travel expenses to the bank account after the end of the event). Insurance: The Department of Youth and Sport and the Council of Europe decline all responsibility for any risk that can occur to participants during their journey and during their stay at the European Youth Centre in Budapest. Fully comprehensive individual or collective insurance is therefore necessary, the latter must be arranged by the youth organisation concerned at its own expense. Participation fee – 50 EUR (to be deducted from travel expenses) ● Visa: Participants who need a visa to enter Hungary should mention it in the application form and provide the needed information. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Fill out the application form and email the file under the name of the letter “Study session “Mind your Language” to: youthpeaceambassadors@gmail.com The application deadline is January 12, 2015. Please note that all applicants must be supported by an organisation, applications sent by individuals will not be considered. After the selection procedure all applicants will receive an answer (mid to end of January). If you have any question about the study session please contact youthpeaceambassadors@gmail.com using the subject line “Study Session “Mind your language” in the email.