TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Karlo Brunović
Main objective of the training was enhancing the intercultural and interreligious dimension of youth activities by increasing the capacity of youth workers and organisations who work with people with different cultural backgrounds and with marginalized people.
The training tried to address the growing gap of misunderstanding between believers and atheists, between Muslims and Christians, etc. Because of lack of knowledge about religious worldviews, persons working with youth within partner organisations did not possess the skills needed to face such challenges. In such a background, intercultural and interreligious knowledge is essential in order to foster positive change and development - from personal to global level.
Participants were youth workers from Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Latvia and Portugal.
Firstly, I used "World Cafe" to introduce participants to the topic of interreligious dialogue by setting five cornerstone questions to spark discussions at each table.
Moreover, I used storytelling to discuss major world religions, such as Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. Also, I conducted several sessions where the main method was group dialogue, so my task was to keep the conversations on topic and in line with intended learning outcomes. Furthermore, I conducted a session "Where is my shoe" to raise awareness of stereotypes and prejudices about different religious practices. This session is described in the guide on interreligious dialogue published after the training.
The activity has contributed to developing intercultural and interreligious dimension of youth activities by educating participating youth workers from partner organisations. Both participants and their organisations have improved their capacities. Participants have gained knowledge about interreligious dialogue and the basics of world religions. Most importantly, they have been familiarised with a set of non-formal tools and methods applicable in youth work within multicultural backgrounds.
Description of the project on Udruga Prizma website: http://www.udrugaprizma.hr/ready-for-dialogue.
Two digital publications were made (I'm a co-author of both) within the project. A guide to interreligious dialogue in youth work and beyond with toolbox of non-formal activities is available on Salto, while the preparatory brochure is available on Udruga Prizma website.
Before the training, I contributed to the making the preparatory brochure for participants. Besides conducting topic related sessions, I was engaged in facilitating participants' reflection of learning outcomes at the end of each day.