News
Three fantastic people – Orsi, Réka, and Máté – packed their bags and set out for Italy, to the beautiful (albeit a bit chilly in January) city of Rimini. Interestingly, this is also the birthplace of the famous Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. The purpose of our journey was to attend an international training designed for coordinators working with international volunteers.
The training took place between January 16 and 23 and was aptly named “Safe and Sound,” as its primary focus was on creating safe and inclusive environments for international volunteers. Alongside this, we learned numerous self-awareness techniques and methods to make our daily work smoother and more efficient.
Upon arrival, we were welcomed by a cozy accommodation that felt like stepping back in time – at least fifty years. Although none of us had seen Italy fifty years ago, the nostalgic atmosphere truly transported us to another era.
First Impressions and New Connections
The training brought together 25 participants from eight countries (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Turkey, Greece, and Romania). The first day was all about getting to know each other, team-building, and self-reflection. One of the team-building activities was to build a tower out of paper, with the tallest tower winning the challenge. We also participated in a “World Café” discussion. The key topics revolved around youth work: what youth work means to us, how we view young people’s participation, and what challenges we face in the field. These thought-provoking conversations set the tone for meaningful collaboration throughout the week.
Gingerbread Techniques and Power Dynamics
The second day started with energizing games, followed by an exploration of the different forms of exclusion and marginalization. We used methods like Intersectionality and the “Wheel of Power” to dive deep into the topics of power dynamics and social inequalities. It was eye-opening to see how seemingly simple factors or their absence can empower or, conversely, weaken and marginalize people. Later, we explored drama pedagogy techniques, staying within the theme of marginalization and power relations.
A Day Off – Exploration and Inspiration
A free day to explore Italy. Some participants stayed in Rimini to explore its local attractions, others visited nearby San Marino, while we embarked on a longer journey to Florence. Although the weather was gloomy, Florence’s stunning sights, historical landmarks, and artistic treasures more than made up for it. Every corner of the city held a piece of history, and the architecture itself was a work of art. Immersing ourselves in Florence’s cultural, artistic, and historical richness was an unforgettable experience, making the long journey entirely worthwhile.
Teaching and Learning
The fifth day was particularly exciting, as it was an open day for participants to share something interesting or useful with their peers. Everyone had the opportunity to present, and the day was filled with creativity and knowledge-sharing. We developed not only our facilitation and coordination skills but also learned valuable techniques and methods from one another. It was a truly enriching and inspiring day.
Closing and Farewell
The last day was bittersweet. While we were looking forward to returning home, saying goodbye was difficult as we had grown fond of each other over the week. The day focused on reflection: we revisited our initial expectations, discussed what we had learned, and shared how the experience had impacted us.
In conclusion, the “Safe and Sound” training was an incredibly useful and inspiring experience for all of us. Not only did we develop professionally, but we also created lifelong memories and friendships.