THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY – the role of youth workers and youth leaders

CONTEXT The word ‘democracy’ is often used in wrong contexts and abused when convenient. As engaged Trainers, Youth Workers/Leaders and Project Managers, working directly with young people, we have the POWER to make a change in our own community. But, unconsciously, we do not always follow some of the healthy principles of democracy. When we claim that our young people fully participate… aren't we actually telling them what to do and think? This training course aims to question ourselves and to practice and learn tools how to be a more effective promoter of democracy - and this in a challenging and interesting way. In this Training Course we will tackle both possibilities and challenges with a European democratic society. The project will offer discussions and workshops that will give participants a wider and deeper understanding of the European dimension when talking about democracy, inclusion and communication. Methods used are workshops, discussions and reflection using the experience and questions from the participants. Methods like Deep democracy, Plan B and Open Space will be supporting the process. Future co-operation and networks will be proposed to the participants including the new skills in working with young people both on local level and in international youth projects. AIM: - To foster democratic processes in youth work in Europe OBJECTIVES: - To widen the understanding the democracy; - To highlight the complexity of democratic processes and learn how to deal with it; - To create an awareness and discussion about the conflict between individual needs and the need of a collective/society; - To critically reflect/question the notion of democracy associated with "going with the majority”; - To understand concepts as grassroots democracy & inclusive democracy; - To practice tools for intervention in our own communities and realities; - To equip the youth workers with insight in their role in an inclusive democratic society; - To create a solid networks of contacts and partnerships; - To reflect on the inclusiveness of youth work methods; - To understand the power Erasmus+ has as a tool to promote democracy; - Foster the creation of new democratic projects on a local, national or European level.