Happy 5th Birthday MUYA! 02/20/2012
Malta UNESCO Youth Association is celebrating its 5th birthday! We thought this occasion would be a great opportunity to celebrate, reunite with all those who were involved or collaborated with MUYA during the past five years, and have a good night out! Join us at Tal-Villagg, Triq il-Forn, Lija on Saturday 25th February, 2012 at 20:30 till late. Welcome drink and nibbles will come your way. Drinks at reasonable prices at the bar. Looking forward to seeing you there! RSVP by 23.02.2012 by sending an email to info@muya.info or sms 79575789 2 Comments 
Training Course: Youth Takes Action for Europe March 30th - 6th April 2012, Arrouquelas, Portugal Description: The project “Youth Takes Action for Europe” will be organized for number youth workers from Youth in Action Programme Countries. The training aims to contribute to the ongoing European discussion on the borders of the European Union, its common European values and the possibility to create a working common civil society across the national borders in Europe. Various issues ranging from migration and integration to economic development and religious freedom are currently dominating political debates all across the European Union, while young people are mainly excluded from these debates they will have to live with the consequences of decisions made nowadays. The training course will provide a platform for youth workers from EU and other programme countries to learn how young people can take an active role on local and international level and to have their voice heard regarding current European challenges. Therefore, an exchange of tools and approaches for active participation of young people and means of influencing and creating youth policy on local and national level will be core elements of the training. Objectives: · To foster an understanding of the concept of European Citizenship · To empower young people to take an active role in society · To debate European values · To share methods and approaches of youth inclusion · To establish new partnerships and cooperation for the improvement of quality in international youth work Content: · European Citizenship · Active participation of young people · Volunteering · European values Duration: 7 days (excluding arrival and departure) Participants: 2 participants per organisation a total of 24 participants Conditions: As the project seeks funding by the Youth in Action Programme accommodation and food will be provided by the organizers. Travel costs to the venue and back will be covered 70%. Accomodation and food covered by host organisation. A 10 EUR administration donation is applicable to Malta UNESCO Youth Association for coordination of logistics & preparation. No participation fee. Application form: http://www.muya.info/uploads/5/3/4/5/5345324/participants_form.docx EVS Projects in Sicily 01/31/2012
- InformaGiovani office - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September The office is the place where we organize all our projects and also run some activities, such as training courses, infoday, “fairs” of volunteering activities and internatinal co-operation organizations. Here volunteers will support the general running of the office and IG network all over Europe. This will give to interested volunteers the possibility to increase their knowledge about organizational management, project cicle and implementation, as well as learning about the local context and how European funding and initiatives can stimulate community development. - Centro TAU – Inventare insieme - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September Youth centre based in the poor area of “Zisa”, working with young people aged 12-18. Volunteers will support socio-cultural activities, run language courses, artistic workshop - Centro anch’io - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September Community house for disabled adults and young people. Volunteers will help local staff and volunteers to run daily activities and organize leisure time and workshops for hosts of the community - Apriti Cuore - 4 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September Community house managed by local social association, where kids from poor families or violent families live. Volunteers will help the daily running of activities, support educational activities, leisure time, etc. Due to the specific situation of kids, special motivation letter and reference letter is required. - Biblioteca dei bambini e delle bambine - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September Based in the poor area of “Albergheria”, the so called “Biblioteca of the girls and boys” is the only cultural free activity offered to the young people of the district and is managed by a group of local volunteers and by families. Volunteers will support daily activities and run artistic workshops for kids. - Isola delle Femmine - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September Small island close to Palermo’s shore, were InformaGiovani organizes environmental awareness activities for kids and organize environmental workshop and volunteering activities. EVS volunteers will work in supporting the organization of such activities, support the relation with local schools, associations and parishes in involving young people, will support the organization of short-term voluntary projects in the area. Project run in co-operation with LIPU, birds protection league. - Casa memoria “Peppino Impastato” - 2 volunteers - 1 year, starting 6th of September The house of memory was founded by relatives of Giuseppe Impastato, a young guy killed by mafia cause he was fighting against it using satire, irony and “new-media” channel as community radios were in 1979. Volunteers will support education activities for schools pupils and antimafia awareness raising campaigns. - Short term local international voluntary projects - 5 volunteers - 1 months, starting 10th of August Volunteers will be placed inside local international voluntary projects such as workcamps and other social projects. Main activities can be or in natural reserves or providing help in communities for disabled kids. Contact info@muya.info now for more information! 
The type of project: Training Course, Action 3.1 Title of project “Youth Photo Games“ From 1st to 9th June 2012, Novi Sad, Serbia Training Course is about promotion of voluntarism using creative photography as a method for social inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities. Who we are: The training course will be organized by Association iNSomnia, who will do Training Course using non-formal way of learning – through working on creative artistic methods. Members of iNSomnia are experts in management in culture and art. iNSomnia works on organizing fun and culture activities for young people: youth info work, organizing volunteers, organizing fun and culture activities for youth, organizing all activities which improve quality of youth life; Trainers: Boris Radivojkov – expert for photography and educator http://www.borisradivojkov.com Nebojsa Djeric – experienced Salto trainer http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int/youth-partnership/experts/ndjeric/ndjeric.html About the Project: Training Course is about promotion of voluntarism using creative photography as a method for social inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities. The main goal of our training course “Youth Photo Games“ is to offer to participants new art techniques and learning methods for improving inclusion of excluded groups of youth with psychological problems – mental health problems. Also by promotion youth volunterism and photo activities, as a result of our TC participants will use those learning methods in everyday work with excluded youth including them in active local community life. Idea is to show that there is possibility to solve certain mental health problem caused by stress through application of photography action. This art activity can lead to solution or point out a problem that can be resolved by working on it afterwards.Activities on our training course: making photographies, photography games, making video from photo materials, drawing with photo chemistry, spending time in nature and contact with nature. Target group on our training course are people actively involved in work with social excluded youth with psychological problems – caused by stress (youth workers, youth leaders, play workers, NGO activists, school teachers, social workers, volunteers). (We would like to get participants already with knowledge about photography) Objectives: - to promote voluntarism and inclusion as a most significant value working with youth with fewer opportunities – youth with health psychological problems. - to increase awareness of the value and importance of volunteering as a form of active engagement and as a tool to develop and improve competences for personal, social and professional development. - to encourage excluded young people with fewer opportunities – youth with mental health problems to play an active role in their communities - to contribute participants development of creative capabilities and skills in youth work using learning and creative methods (photography techniques) - promotion of volunteering as a way of active social participation, and a way to acquire knowledge and skills useful for persons' professional development. Working language: English – all participants must be able to actively communicate using English language Funding: 100% for accommodation will be covered and 70% of travel cost (Apex tickets) will be reimbursed after receiving original receipts. No. of participants from Malta:2 Application form to be sent to info@muya.info by 15th February, 2012: 
The Malta UNESCO Youth Association, today launched the children’s book ‘Eleo and the Bubble Planet’, a book based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December, 1948. The event was held this morning at De La Salle College under the patronage of Hon. Minister Dolores Cristina. This book tells the story of Eleo, a young boy who lives in the ideal planet of Bubble-onia where the people have managed to live in harmony with each other for many, many years. However, unfortunately, the planet does have other problems and together with Eleo and his grandfather Bobbla, we will find out how they live on the planet and what the people of Bubble-onia intend to do to overcome their challenges. The project saw the group, all volunteers, go beyond what they thought they were capable of. A creative process that was time and energy consuming. Coming up with the character, the story and putting it down on paper was the most challenging part of all. However through several workshops and endless meetings, Eleo and the Bubble Planet was born. The project received funding by the European Youth Fund, Council of Europe and the Malta UNESCO Youth Association has worked with international partners from Estonia, Slovenia and Bulgaria in the implementation of this project. During her address during the event, The Hon. Minister Dolores Cristina praised this initiative and the efforts of the volunteers to create a simple story that is accessible to the young citizens of today. She also mentioned the draft national children’s policy that was launched last November and stressed the importance of the protection of young children and the accessibility of emotional support for young children. “We look forward to seeing this book becoming popular with the children in the school library. We encourage educators to allow this book to assist them when discussing human rights with their young students. We hope that all the concepts that one finds in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be understood, internalised and practiced in real life by our young citizens who in just a few years will be themselves the backbone of our society and the drivers of change with their well being and courageous behaviour” said Sarah Suda, President of the Malta UNESCO Youth Association. During the launch three copies of the book was distributed to each primary school in Malta and Gozo. H.E Maltese Ambassador for UNESCO Mr. Ray Bondin and the Commissioner for Children Helen D’Amato were also present for the book launch event. The book launch was proudly supported by; Kristal Fine Table Water, Cappy Juices, Nestle Nesquik Cereal and Ftira Cafe. 
From the 6th to the 16th of September 2011, 120 young people from 12 countries of the European Union came together in a specially arranged place within the premises of the «Tsaf Tsouf» summer camp at Orphani Kavalas/Greece to participate in and contribute to artistic workshops (performance, dance, cinema, photography, web radio, handicraft, circus, comic book) in view of creating for and expressing themselves about volunteering and activism. The participants, using their expression and creativity, made statements and exchanged opinions through which, they fostered their perception to and respect for multiculturalism and sought for new, creative ways for promoting the ideas of volunteering and active citizenship. In parallel, they were involved in sports’ activities, intercultural nights, exhibitions and music nights. Technically speaking, “Creativities” are projects funded by the European Commission’s “Youth in Action / Youth” Programmes. They are categorized as multilateral intercultural youth exchanges. Everything started in 2004 by “Kids in Action” with the helping hand (mind and soul) of several partner NGOs from different European countries. Thenceforth, several editions of the concept took place. Different themes have been addressed: Peace & Solidarity (2004, Greece), Tolerance & Diversity (2005, Greece), Love & Unity (2006, Greece), Democracy & Participation (2008, Greece), Creativity.cat - Act for Interculturality (2009, Girona, Spain), CreArtivity - Creativity & Innovation (2009, Greece), Creativity.UK (2010, UK) In the latest edition, Volunteering & Activism, the Malta UNESCO Youth Association had the honour and definitely the pleasure to be one of the partner groups among 12 in total, which consisted of one “leader” and five participants each. Being creative from the start, the Maltese group – later referred to simply as “The Maltesers” – managed to be the only group of “6andahalf” participants, since with Rosaleen Thenner Caruana (at that time 13 months old) we sent the youngest participant ever to take part in Creativity. The other Maltesers were Deborah Abela, Roberta Bonnici, Christianne Caruana, Andy Grech, Dhiraj Narwani and Alex Thenner. Together we all shared the experience of the vision of a world where difference is a driving force, equality is a must, mistakes are means for change and development and creativity is being. It was and still is a lived experience. For most people might describe creativity as “to make, to begin, to launch or to set forth.” “Creativity” by Kids in Action does so much more than this. It is a creative process that empathizes with and embraces the youth world and seeks to dynamically evolve and maintain its appropriateness to all youth, with no exception. Because no one is better than another, there is no in or out, up or down in the circle that is “Creativity”…  ‘Humour is Serious Business’ Training Programme Thursday12th – Friday 20thApril 2012, Derry, N Ireland. 3 Participants from Malta Summary of Training ‘Humour is Serious Business’ is a Training Programme aimed at youth work practitioners from a eight countries (N Ireland, Germany, Austria, Greece, Malta, Lithuania, Slovenia, Estonia and Poland) who have an interest in and commitment to the examination and use of Humour as a proactive and deliberate methodology in their work with young people and other youth work communities. The programme will provide space and time for participants to examine a multitude of issues, concerns and questions related to the use of Humour in an effort to increase their skills, knowledge and experience of Humour as an effective method of engaging young people. Participants will come away from the training much better informed and ‘upskilled’ with a clear direction of how they can use humour in their work setting and with a clear plan for developing a locally-based project which will be documented to further inform the discussion regarding Humour as a mechanism which can be used in effectively engaging young people. Target Group We are looking for three participants from each country/partner organisation to participate in the programme – we are targeting Youth and Community workers, Young Leaders (18+) and Trainers. Content and Methodology The overriding theme of the training is the use of Humour (as a pro-active methodology) in youth work practice. By providing space and time to examine humour, participants can develop a better understandIng of its use and application and in doing so increase their capacity to use it in their work setting so as to engage young people and other youth work communities in a constructive fashion, e.g., a ‘mulitplier’ capacity. Before getting to that point participants will be engaged in consideration of important questions such as what is humour? Is it simply our ability to make people laugh? Is it how we perceive things, people or certain situations? Is it a means of escapism? Is it what we use when we feel all else is lost? Is it what we turn too when we have nothing else? Is it our mechanism for dealing with ‘stuff’ when we don’t know how too? Is it our way of dealing with embarrassment? Is it our disregard for other people’s feelings? Is it a means of avoiding what we need to confront? Is it our way of avoiding feelings and emotions? Humour is often a natural reaction to or consequence of a given situation - a raised eyebrow, a look, a word but often it is and can be a deliberate act, planned with precision, timed to perfection and designed to maximise given circumstances. It’s something that everyone knows, something that everyone feels, something everyone sees yet is one of those things that is often frowned upon. It is one of those things that can ‘hit the target’ and when it does it is great but when it misses it can be disastrous. What are the rules, the boundaries, the parameters of laughter? What is the acceptable face of humour? What is ok, what is not? This training programme is designed to equip participants to use humour as a means of engaging young people effectively, if not more effectively that in the past, hence the title, ‘Humour is Serious Business.’ Some view humour as irresponsible, inappropriate, irrelevant, even poisonous, perhaps reprehensible, and disrespectful. Sometimes practitioners take themselves ‘too serious’, are so committed and so passionate about their work which is admirable but don’t allow themselves to laugh or to see the funny side because they feel it will undermine their approach, it will deviate from their given task, it will diminish their work, it will make light of their much sought after principles and values, what they stand for, what they hold dear! Can humour though be a tool for good, can it be put to good use, can it be a constructive force? Has the question ever been asked? Has there ever been serious examination of humour, at least within youth work anyway? We have designed a programme which we believe not only allows participants to examine humour in detail but enables them to achieve a greater understanding of the subject matter, enhances their capacity to use it in their work and provides them with space to test it in a safe environment. Participation fee: EUR 50 Application form below which should be sent to info@muya.info by the 20th January 2012:
A delegation from Malta UNESCO Youth Association recently participated in an international seminar entitled “Volunteerism in Debate” in Cordoba, Spain organised by Plataforma Andaluza de Voluntariado. The aim of the seminar was to bring together young European volunteers and politicians/decision-makers to discuss different aspects of voluntary work in society, its importance and challenges imposed by the legislation and policies as well as good practices from different countries. As a result of the workshops taking place during the weeklong seminar in November, the participants from various European countries were asked to draft a list of recommendations for policy makers on how to improve the voluntary work sector. The Maltese delegation consisted of five young women Analiza Abdilla (24), Birgit Oidram (26), Erika Borg (24) and Martha Bartolo (18), all from Malta UNESCO Youth Association and a representative from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ Angie Farrugia (25). Additionally to Malta UNESCO Youth Association, there were voluntary organisations from Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Germany, UK, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia. The participating voluntary organisations ranged from those working with minorities (such as disabled persons, immigrants) to those dealing with youth participation in the decision-making processes and human rights. Angie Farrugia from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ took the opportunity to introduce the recently launched Malta Youth Portal. During a session facilitated by the European decision-makers she explained how the voluntary work in the youth field is strongly and actively supported by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in Malta. Make a Wish! Celebrate Human Rights Day! 12/10/2011
This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media helped activists organize peaceful protest movements in cities across the globe - from Tunis to Madrid, from Cairo to New York - at times in the face of violent repression. Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same ideals and values. As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, the 10th of December, on Human Rights Day 2011, we pay tribute to all human rights defenders and ask you to get involved in the global human rights movement. This year everybody has an opportunity to support human rights by joining our celebration. Invite your family and friends to participate in our social media campaign. Become a human rights campaigner; learn more about your rights and spread the word www.celebratehumanrights.org 
Go to www.celebratehumanrights.org, choose a slice of the cake which represent the the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, make it your wish by blowing out as many candles as you can and share it with your friends and family! Volunteers Take a Step Forward - Training Course on Human Rights Education, Murcia, Spain 12/10/2011
20th - 28th February, 2012 in Murcia, Spain About the Training: “Volunteers, take a step forward” aims to acknowledge the role of volunteers in the Human Rights Education field and empower them with knowledge, skills and attitudes to serve better for civic society association Objectives:
Profile of Participants required:
All the participants from the partner countries will be reimbursed in 75% of the total travel cost Application form:http://www.muya.info/uploads/5/3/4/5/5345324/participants_form.docx | AuthorMalta UNESCO Youth Association - a non-profit organisation based in Malta with the aim to promote the principles and values of UNESCO amongst young people and the general public. ArchivesFebruary 2012 CategoriesAll | ||||
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