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Hi my name is Marielle Buhr, i’m a 30 year old woman from the north of Sweden who has come to volunteer and help the local community in Transylvania.keep reading
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Digital technology has become part of our daily lives to such an extent that its presence is actually unquestionable to us. Nevertheless, it is often asked not only by teenagers, but also teachers who are actively working in the field of education that in what form can students use these technology related skills during their learning activities? The members of the Transylvanian Youth Association tried to find a solution to this problem.
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from the viewpoint of our Estonian volunteer
I have been a volunteer working in, and around, Cristuru Secuiesc for the past 5 months. During this time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a fair share of Hungarians in the region. I would describe the Hungarians in this area as a friendly and welcoming people, with a distinct identity, rich history, and colorful culture.
However, before I delve further into these topics, I would first like to mention something I found surprising when I first arrived here in Cristuru Secuiesc.
I hadn’t done much research before traveling here, so I was initially caught off guard by the fact that Hungarian is an official language in Romania, which is widely spoken in Transylvania. In many areas, including Cristuru Secuiesc Hungarian is actually the dominant language. It seems to me that the Hungarian community in Transylvania is committed to preserve its language and promote its use in all aspects of their daily life.
The Hungarian community in Transylvania has a long and complex history, dating back to the medieval era when Hungarian settlers first arrived in the region. I have learned that over the centuries, Hungarians have played a great part in the cultural, economic, and political life of Transylvania.
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This article will show how 5 different men from 5 different countries see, think or feel about the current situation of women in their homelands
Estonia
Estonia is a country with a rich history and culture, and women have played a vital role in shaping the country’s development. Estonian women have achieved notable progress in various fields, including politics, education, and employment. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed to achieve gender equality and empower women fully.
One of the significant achievements of Estonian women is their high level of educational attainment. Women in Estonia are highly educated, with almost 60% of women aged 25-34 having a tertiary degree. This educational achievement has contributed significantly to the country’s economic development, as women’s participation in the workforce is critical for sustainable economic growth.
Another significant milestone for Estonian women was the election of Kaja Kallas as the country’s first female prime minister. This achievement is a testament to the progress that Estonian women have made in politics, and it is a source of inspiration for future generations of women who aspire to leadership roles.
Despite these achievements, there are still some significant challenges that Estonian women face. One of the most pressing issues is gender-based violence, which is a pervasive problem in Estonia. According to the Estonian Women’s Shelters Union, one in five Estonian women has experienced physical or sexual violence. The government has taken steps to address this issue, such as enacting legislation to protect victims of domestic violence and providing support services for victims. However, more needs to be done to eliminate gender-based violence and ensure the safety and security of Estonian women.
Another significant challenge that Estonian women face is the gender pay gap. Women in Estonia earn on average 20% less than men, which is higher than the European Union average. The government has taken steps to address this issue, such as implementing equal pay legislation and promoting gender equality in the workplace. However, more needs to be done to eliminate the gender pay gap and ensure that women are paid fairly for their work.
In conclusion, women in Estonia have made significant progress in various fields, but there are still challenges that need to be addressed to achieve full gender equality. The government and civil society organizations must work together to eliminate gender-based violence and the gender pay gap, and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in all aspects of Estonian society. This International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Estonian women and to renew our commitment to achieve gender equality and empower women in Estonia and around the world.
And finally, to end all of this, here is a short poem I wrote about women: I like women, yes I do!
I like women, how about you? 😏
Spain
Spanish people are commonly described by others as really open-minded which should mean that we had advanced a lot in everything related to feminism and it is true that things have changed a lot in the last 50 years of our country (especially because we were living in a dictatorship until 1975), but when you look at some statistics there are still several things that need to change.
In 2022 forty-nine women were murdered due to gender violence and 93.924 calls were made due to violence to the women’s service telephone number (016). However, these numbers show a different reality than the one you can see on the streets of Spain, I would like to talk about my personal experiences while living in Spain.
I have been raised in a house by the strongest woman I know, my mother, she used to take care of three kids, including me as well. My father got involved in childcare but not that much in the general housework. I used to think that the reason behind this is his profession (he used to work in healthcare), but actually my mum also used to struggle working two jobs at the same time. This situation occurs in almost all of my friends’ homes even nowadays. Thankfully I think this situation and other similar ones are not that common among the new generation.
Based on my personal experience people are also affected by being raised in a home that represents good equality values which results in the long run by surrounding themselves with people that has the same core values as them. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with this great upbringing, there are people who did not had this luck and they grow up thinking that some behaviors (like the man not helping with the housework) are normal and they should allow them to happen.
Personally, I think that people need to fight against the injustices that are committed in the name of gender violence by forming an inclusive government, having parental education and funding a union from all of the people who are able to fight against these injustices.
Slovakia
On the occasion of the international women’s day, let’s have a look at how the lives of the women of Slovakia are, how they are viewed and what adversity they might face. Slovakia has come quite a long way in terms of gender equality, but there is still progress to be made.
While the notion of women to marry and become housewives was abandoned decades ago, there still remained gender based societal roles and jobs and the effects are still seen to this day. Even though women don’t need to marry and have children, there still remains pressure to do so and if they do get married there are still quite common expectations of women to be the ones responsible for the house chores, cooking, cleaning and so on. Being a good cook still remains as one of the main expectations of women before marriage. When it comes to having children and becoming a mother, they receive a paid maternity leave from the state, however, they are often expected to stay at home and be the primary child carer afterwards. It is important to mention that there is also domestic violence towards women, where around 5 percent of women are reported to have some degree of verbal or physical violence from their partners.
In jobs it’s visible through percentages of women occupying historically considered men only roles. The place where it stands out the most is politics. Slovaks elected its current first ever women president and the criticism of her is usually hard to navigate, as in what is actual criticism of her as a politician and a leader and what is based on her being a woman. After the last parliamentary elections women hold less than 25 percent of seats in parliament, while the women represent more than half of the whole population of Slovakia. In terms of salary there still remains a gender-based pay gap, with Slovakia having one of the highest in Europe.
I know that I mentioned mostly the negatives and it’s very important to acknowledge all the positive progress that has been achieved so far, that women’s lives, their independence and equality has greatly improved, but I felt that it was important to point out the negatives that still remain so that the progress doesn’t stop now and women can feel free, independent, safe and are appreciated and celebrated for a whole year, not just for one day.
Lastly I would like to mention that Slovakian women are considered among the most beautiful in Europe, but while appreciating their beauty let’s not forget to appreciate all of their other qualities as well and most importantly view and treat them as fellow human beings, rather than just pretty looking objects or prized possessions to have
First of all, Happy Women’s Day! I will give you some information about my own country’s perspective about women.
Turkey
I would like to explain the development of women’s rights in my country in a very short way. With the end of the Ottoman period, the Turkish lands gained civilization and democracy. In the state of the Republic of Turkey under the leadership of our founder Atatürk, the Civil Code of 1926 granted wider rights to Turkish women than Western countries. Women gained an equal status with men in family and society and the first International Women’s Congress in the world was gathered in Istanbul under the auspices of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on 18 April 1935.In addition to that Mr. Tansu Çiller, who continued his duty as Prime Minister between 1993-1996, is the first and only female prime minister in Turkey’s political history.
In the last 100 years, Turkish women have gained many successes to contribute to the development of our country in education, science, military, political and many different fields. They take part in the state administration and carry the country to an enlightened future.
However, in recent years, many women have been murdered in my country. I think that less care has been given to women’s rights and freedom than in the 1970’s. In 2022, 334 women were killed by men and 245 women were found dead in suspicious ways.
Despite these pessimistic numbers, I can guarantee that we as Turk men took care of women in the same way as Atatürk. We keep the Turkish woman on our hands,especially our mothers, sisters and spouses, who provide peace and fertility for us. In every environment, we defend the civil, political and cultural rights of women.We also remember with respect and love of those who, who made a sacrifice for our country!
In France, women have made great steps in terms of rights and freedom over the past decades. However, there are still many things that need to be changed to ensure true gender equality.
During the past century, the status of women in France has changed significantly. Women were granted the right to vote in 1944, and since then they have experienced many legal and professional advances. Abortion was authorized in 1975 and may soon become part of our constitution.
In 2012, the parity act was passed to ensure greater representation of women in French politics. In 2019, the equal pay act was put in place to combat wage discrimination between men and women. France has also taken measures to combat violence against women.
However, challenges remain. Women remain under-represented in positions of leadership and political power. Although there has been progress, women still represent only 42% of deputies and only 7% of mayors in cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants. Women also face discrimination in the labour market, where they earn on average less than men for the same work.
Violence against women is also a major problem in France. According to government figures, a woman is killed every other day by her partner or ex-partner. Although many measures have been taken to combat violence, there are still many things to be done to protect women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
In conclusion, the status of women in France presents both significant advances and important challenges. Although women have gained many rights and freedom, many things need to be done to ensure true gender equality. France must continue to work to combat discrimination and violence against women and to ensure that women are fairly represented in all areas.
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Hello, my name is Vesile. I arrived at the 6th of January to start my volunteer project here in Cristuru Secuiesc. I received a pre-arrival training before I came here. Next to that I also took part in another training after my arrival. I made a presentation about my organization and the way it handles the online education process. These preparation processes have helped me to become the person I am today.
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On the past 25th of January, we hosted the first open day of our project. We welcomed students aged from six to fourteen from different nearby schools along with their corresponding teachers. The goal of this event was to give them an insight of how we, as an association, work and what we can offer to this community.keep reading
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The Partnership Building Activity on SYNERGIES was an Erasmus+ training course that ATA was doing between November 4 and 10 as part of our Youth Accreditation and it hosted 23 youth workers, project managers and staff members of 15 different youth organizations from across 11 European countries.
On the first day we discovered who everyone is, the mobility program, objectives, our community, and our NGOs, all this through non-formal and teambuilding activities. The day ended with an intercultural snack night.
The second day made sure that all participants understand the (common) past of the 15 associations present in the meeting and the concept of synergies on local and international level. For this, we made 4 different sessions where everyone could share their own experiences and best practices in different interactive formats.
On day three, the 23 youth workers and NGO staff mainly concentrated on sharing best practices and experiences connected to communication (with target groups, stakeholders, and partners), cooperation and project management. We did this both with non-formal activities and hands-on presentations or debates. It was a day full of learning.
Day four started with 3 study visits to regional partners of ATA. First, we went to the Kilátó Association which does sustainability actions for the community and to the Three Doves Association, which works for the integration of the disabled, both in Porumbeni Mici. Before lunch, we went to the Berde Mozes Unitarian Highschool, our long standing partner in Cristuru Secuiesc. In the afternoon, we had the chance to see best practices from our partners from Europe and had a debate on participation fees in Erasmus+
Day five was extremely busy. First, all the 7 partners with Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation and ESC Quality Label have presented their upcoming projects for 2023 and 2024 and put these of the timeline in the wall. There were 20 Youth Exchanges, 15 Training Courses, 22 Long ESC and 17 Teams ESC projects presented. After this, in the afternoon, the group has gone to Sighisoara Medieval Fortress for a cultural break.
On the sixth day, we made 13 open space sessions, and in each, 3 parallel sessions were held to understand each mobility, define objectives, activities and target groups, see who can be sending organization in the 72 Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps mobilities we will do in 2023 and 2024.
On the last day we made our final commitments towards the partnerships that have been built, we made a short visit to the local museum. In the afternoon the youth workers reflected on their learning, wrote about their achievements and we evaluated the meeting. For closing, we had a Youthpass ceremony.
The fruits of this PBA will be visible in our town and abroad with the youth exchanges training courses and volunteering projects we and our partners will do together in the next 2 years.
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We are thrilled to introduce our upcoming Erasmus+ partnership building activity on Synergies, a pivotal part of our Youth Accreditation program. Scheduled to take place from November 4 to November 10, this training course will bring together 23 dedicated youth workers, project managers, and staff members from 15 diverse youth organizations spanning 11 European countries.
This immersive training course is designed to foster collaboration, share best practices, and cultivate a strong sense of community. Participants will embark on a journey of discovery as they delve into the mobility program, explore our collective objectives, understand the essence of our community, and gain insights into our NGOs. Non-formal and team-building activities will set the stage for dynamic interactions.
Throughout the training course, participants will have the opportunity to grasp the common history shared by the 15 associations present at the event and comprehend the concept of synergies at local and international levels. In interactive sessions, attendees will share their own experiences and best practices, enhancing the collective knowledge base.
One day will be dedicated to the exchange of best practices and experiences related to communication with target groups, stakeholders, and partners. Participants will engage in a dynamic mix of non-formal activities, hands-on presentations, and debates, making it a day brimming with valuable insights and new skills.
Our program will also include enlightening study visits to regional partners of ATA and exploring best practices from our European partners and engage in stimulating discussions, including a debate on participation fees within the Erasmus+ program.
As the training course progresses, we will provide a platform for our partner organizations with Erasmus+ Youth Accreditation and ESC Quality Label to present their upcoming projects for 2023 and 2024. These projects encompass a wide array of opportunities, from Youth Exchanges and Training Courses to Long ESC and Teams ESC initiatives.
In the latter part of the training course, we will facilitate open space sessions, enabling attendees to understand each mobility, define objectives, activities, target groups and identify potential sending organizations for the mobilities.
The fruits of this partnership-building activity will not only enrich our local community but will also extend its impact far beyond our town. Collaborative youth exchanges, training courses, and volunteer projects are on the horizon, as we work together with our partners over the next two years. We invite you to be part of this exciting journey as we build synergies and create lasting change together. Stay tuned for updates and further details!
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At the beginning of September 2022, we set off to Amarante, Portugal, to take part in a youth activity, blended mobility to be more precise, about volunteering. After a long but exciting flight, we arrived in the city of Porto, where the locals were already waiting for us to take us to the main office of the organization, the CJ building. We had our accommodation here, the programs were held here, as well as we ate every day here. On the first day, we got to know the other participants, the organizers, the city itself, and the youth center and got an insight into the life of the local volunteers. Over the next few days, we participated in a wide variety of programs and activities, put together a workshop on volunteering, and participated in a work camp. We helped locals and local volunteers pick apples and hazelnuts on an agricultural school’s farm, in return we were able to try riding in the school’s riding hall. We also created a museum exhibition in which we presented our own volunteer organization, ATA, and through these demonstrations, we were able to gain insight into the work of other youth organizations. In the evenings, we could take part in various cultural sessions, learned different cultural dances, tasted cultural dishes, and learned interesting things about other countries. On the last day, we were able to go kayaking on the river, and after a short evaluation, we had to say goodbye to our new friends, because the program was over, and we had to go home. All in all, during the program, we were able to gain new knowledge about the various voluntary projects, how exactly they work and what their role is in the European Union. This program has given us the opportunity to make new friendships without borders.
This article was written by one of the participating youth in the blended mobility.
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It all came to an end. A bittersweet one at that. But first, let’s all remember the fun we had! From snacking together in the office on the first day, through the countless group work and team activities, and of course, last but most definitely not least, on the Backyard Science Day, which was a big success. The participants tried their best and it really showed all the kids, and there were a lot of them, left the event with a smile on their faces. But, not just the kids closed the day in a happy mood, the participants also enjoyed their shared time with the local children. And let’s be real, no matter how old you are, it’s always fun to see a Coca-Cola volcano.
There was just a tiny bit of work left, in the form of the Youthpass certificate, that the participants had to fill out, as well as the evaluation form, so we can improve our work and know what we should pay more attention to. The program came to an end with the final evaluation and the Youthpass ceremony. Slowly it was time to say our goodbyes.