TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Sofya Piradyan
The main topic of this project was about the recognition of human rights and their values in the EU as well as non-EU countries. We wanted to give a possibility to youth workers to actively participate in international projects and be involved in what are human rights. We aimed to create a safe space where participants from different countries and cultures could share their definition of human rights and compared with the others, leading to debates about how unequal those rights are in our current world. This exchange aimed to give the opportunity to overlook the origins of human rights, the definition of them through different perspectives (law, biology, social, moral etc.) and the way to represent and protect those rights through different actions (art, activism, journalism, education etc.).
To achieve the objectives we focused our attention on non-formal education through creativity and innovative educational methods. During the training course the main focus was set on the participating youth workers and active members as learners. We decided to do it in 2 stages, first in the Czech Republic and then in Armenia to bring deeper aspects of the topic through the long-term learning process. The learning process was set up in a non-formal setting and planned, structured, and evaluated daily. All activities and methods were designed for the needs and environment of youth workers who wish to include and develop human rights education and peacebuilding dialogue activities in their existing projects, environment and their local community.
The intercultural aspect of this training by itself allowed cooperation between different nationalities, from European Union and partner countries, ( Czech republic, Armenia, Italy, Ukraine, Greece, Slovakia, Marocco, Turkey) into a common goal, leaving behind all forms of discrimination. It is also an opportunity to share the different programs proposed by the Erasmus+
All the sessions, workshops organized during the project “Human Rights Values” were based on the principles and practice of non-formal education. The TC provided time, space, framework, and activities for representatives of youth organizations from 8 various European and non-EU countries to share their knowledge and gain new ones about their expertise in the field of human rights. With this project we tried to encourage active citizenship in their countries, active participation in youth work. During the project participants presented their own countries, their own heritage, traditions, culture, language, and problems. By this way we gave the opportunity to know that we work together, and we learn from each other. Supporting interaction among peers can foster some of the most fruitful learning because peers often share a deep understanding of each other’s common challenges, experiences, practices and by this way they have developed valuable expertise in their fields. After presentations and discussions about human rights values, participants started to make a list of activities and tools which will help us to solve their issues in their communities.
During the whole project, we did different activities with the participants to show them diversity in perspectives, opinions, and experiences. For example:
Abigail which shows how people view the world from different perspectives, have different values and reach different conclusions out of the same information.
Step forward activity which showed participants different opportunities and benefits people have based on their background, social status, ethnicity, etc.
The below mentioned combination of methods decreased the barriers for youth workers to participate. By the help of creative methods, we engaged the participants in a youth full way and kept the motivation going throughout the project:
1. Energizers, icebreakers, and name-games to create a group atmosphere
2. Plenary and group discussions
3. Presentations
4. Creative methods
5. Intercultural evening with food, drinks, and games from all participating countries
6. Active reviewing on the personal development of participants
7. Open space and outdoor activities
As the topic of the project was human rights, we intended to create a safe space for the participants where they would feel safe and comfortable to share and discuss the topic, which we know we had reached thanks to the feedbacks from participants. We continued with games and activities to get to know each other – such as name game, drawing profiles, mission in possible, speed dating, etc. The participants presented their presentation about human rights in their countries which they prepared beforehand. The trainers carried out activities which related to human rights – step forward which address topic of discrimination and different opportunities in society.
Facilitators prepared connecting games, icebreakers, and speed dating activity for the participants to reconnect at the beginning of the 2nd stage. The Day 1 was a replay of the 1st stage and what participants did and learnt during the 1st stage. The trainers presented the structure of the TC and did a pitch activity to connect the 2nd stage with the 1st stage. We started 2nd stage of Human Rights Values with activity, where participants picks something from around, then we put it in circle and we do round and everyone picks what they like and explain why. The trainers carried out activities which related to human rights such as reconnect, power expression, speed dating, mental traveling and etc.
This project contributed to the personal and social development of the participants. Youth workers from different countries, cultures and religions spent time together, learn about specific realities and express their ideas, thoughts and feelings about the topic of human rights. The participants developed a sense of tolerance and understanding among themselves and towards others, they learnt how to work together on a topic that involved active participation and responsibility.
As overall results of this project:
We are happy to say that the project met the desired and planned outcomes, and in many ways exceeded them. This is mostly thanks to strong dedication of the project team to the project, fruitful communication and careful and in-depth selection of the project participants.
Participants were able to get to know new methods of human rights education, and how to apply them in a more attractive and time-efficient manner in their communities.
The exchange of good practices of different organizations from different countries has contributed to an understanding about human rights values, through which they also improved their communication skills in general and in English language. Another impact also was improvement of teamwork and cooperation in the group. By using creative methods participants solved various tasks together. It certainly raised awareness in their “sense of group/community” and gave them a chance to work in a multicultural environment.
In terms of impact on young participants, the project increased the sense of European identity through intercultural learning activities. Encouraged the undertaking of personal, social and professional initiatives. Through significant impact in terms of better understanding towards individuals coming from other cultures. The team made sure that a safe environment will be created, where diversity is an asset and where participants can freely express themselves. It was a good example of exchange of good practices of different organizations from different countries has contributed to an understanding about human rights values. Another impact was improved communication skills in general and in a foreign language. Through non-formal education methods, participants found a safe environment to express themselves, regardless of their English level. Improved skills in teamwork, by using creative methods participants solved various tasks together. It certainly raised awareness in their “sense of group” and gave them a chance to work in a multicultural environment.
This project foreseen a moment of bridging between learned points and our own reality. How to use the new-creative tools when back home? The group, which has been created during the project, helped to be in contact with each other. After the project when they went back most of the participants were so enriched and impressed by their learning outcomes that they started to use their knowledge which they had got during the project. This project contributed to the personal and social development of the participants. Youth workers from different countries, cultures and religions got a great opportunity to spend time together, learn about specific realities and express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings about such an important topic as human rights education. The participants gained knowledge about the peaceful message of different religions. Our goal was that many of the participants will pass on what they have learned and can contribute to a more peaceful and tolerant cohabitation, and we believe that it was exceeding the expectations. Especially after the follow-up activities and the outcomes that we are now still monitoring. For the discussion it was fruitful to have inputs from different backgrounds from which the participants could learn.
With the help of this project, we could plan to impact different regions, where mostly Human rights are not so developed, and many Leaders are poorly trained. This kind of project had no doubt an excellent impact on development of similar projects in each region and we ensure visibility of human rights instruments and documents.
Here some links about project implementation.
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I was a trainer, project writer, one of the methodologist and project coordinator in Armenia.