Call for Participants for "EUROMED CHALLENGE: be a peace builder!" Youth Exchange in Portugal

Date :  from 23/08/2014 till 31/08/2014 ( Dates could be shifted upon visa issuing process )

Project Summary :

The YE “EUROMED CHALLENGE: be a peace builder!” will promote the values of solidarity, mutual understanding and peacebuilding through non-formal education methodologies linked to human rights education. Using music as the main tool, we will stimulate young people's artistic spirit, imagination and improvisation, encouraging participant´s creativity through challenges that appeal to youth initiative and healthy competition. This project will be developed by 4 EuroMed countries (Portugal, Italy, Tunisia and Egypt) and will take place in Amarante (Portugal) during 9 days, from 23/08/2014 till 31/08/2014. It will gather in a balanced way (gender and countries) 20 participants (5 per country), aged between 18-25, and 4 youth leaders (2 from Programme Countries and 2 from Mediterranean Partner Countries).

The main objectives are: foster the values of solidarity and mutual understanding between young people from different cultures; develop creativity and sense of initiative in non-formal artistic contexts; raise awareness/involve the local community by promoting active participation, intercultural learning and citizenship; raise the spirit of cooperation among youngsters and between them and the community.

Main activities and methods: during the week, the participants will develop several activities of cooperation and competition that will make them understand the differences and similarities between young people that live in Europe and North Africa. We will use the methodology of non-formal education and some activities of COMPASS (human rights education) in order to raise the discussion and reflection on topics such as gender equality, discrimination and xenophobia, freedom of expression, etc. Music will be the main tool used throughout the Activity as we believe it is a powerful mean of creating bonds between people and pass a message.