TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Eelin Hoffström
The main aim of the study session was to explore, share and develop competences of storytelling as a tool for intercultural communication and (re)building common values among young people in our changing Europe.
The objectives were:
• To identify young people´s major challenges in Europe with its current crisis and conflicts, and the changes it brings to our communities.
• To encourage to active debate on European challenges, but separate democratic expression from hate speech.
• To in a concrete way explore, share and develop competences of storytelling as a tool for intercultural communication and (re)building common European values.
• To introduce participants to the work of the council of Europe in relation to human rights education in the changing Europe.
• To support participants in transferring the gained competences into their work with young people.
The team consisted of two trainers from European Confederation of Youth Clubs (ECYC), two trainers and a study session manager from Rural Youth Europe and a educational assistant from the council of Europe.
The participants were from the member organisations of both organisations. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, UK, Austria, Romania.
The main method of this trianing course was storytelling and it was adapted using non formal learning methods.
The participants learnt about freedom of speech, hate speech, storytelling and how it is used in construction of national and European identity. The group became a strong network that furthers rural development through different activities in the future.
I was both chair of the day and in charge of several sessions during the training. I was also an essential part of the team building the program to match the desired outcomes and aims.