Preventions Step by Step

The topic of youth violence is of the big concerns among the youth workers, teachers and support workers on the global level. Children before their teens are frequent victims of domestic violence. The exact statistics are often hard to find, as around 60% of the presidents are left unreported or ‘swept under the carpet’.

Due to the relevance of the subject to the everyday work of the partners of this project - working with groups of young people, who are exposed or witness violence and abuse the idea was born to create a project to create/adapt/update methodology on prevention of abusive and violent behaviour among young people that would be effectively transferable to youth workers’ current work.

Thus, this project is an initiative that supports a network of youth and social workers, and teachers that promote a preventive approach to conflicts and violence among their beneficiaries.

We will gather for a 7 day experiential learning training course that will take place in Harjumaa, Estonia between 10th and 16th of April (+2 travel days).

Objectives
● to equip 24 youth and social workers, and teachers with relevant competencies for recognising, understanding and preventing the occurrence (or the potential of occurrence) of interpersonal conflicts generated by abusive and violent behavioural patterns that they would be able to use in their daily work with groups of young people from different backgrounds (rural areas, ethnic and religious minorities, unemployed or facing poverty, victims of bullying or violence, precarious family background);
● to provide y.ws with knowledge, understanding and confidence on how to start a conversation about violence with young people and which methods to use as an aid by going through the specific scenarios and case studies that would foster a deeper understanding of the concept of violence and how to find possible solutions to tackle it;
● to strengthen the cooperation between the partners by creating an international network of youth workers motivated to initiate new international actions that would prevent the occurrence of violence.

The methodology is based on NFL methods and includes case studies, text analysis, kinesthetic learning, competitions, personal assessment, forum theatre, image theatre and improvisation, video presentations, research activities, exploration of surroundings, an individual/pair/group reflection.

Topics covered within the training course:

-definitions on violence and connected topics, anger, aggression, dynamics of conflicts, stereotypes and prejudices,

-decision-making processes, understanding perceptions, surroundings and reactions,

-assertive communication, emotional dynamics, labelling theory, misbehaving, perceiving vulnerabilities.

The project was designed for youth and social workers, volunteers and teachers, and other people who work with young people on a daily basis. Age limit: 18+. A valid COVID-19 passport is a must! Please make sure to get full vaccination prior before making a final decision to come to the training course.