Protection and promotion of human rights is a core point of European agenda, both on political and civil society field, and also when working with young people. While corruption, transparency and organized crime is usually considered as a sphere of state agencies and institutions, including law-enforcement bodies. And until recent time there was almost no way for active participation of civil society, and especially for youth organizations in this field.
Nevertheless, it is obvious, that on current stage of public development, when the “grey” economic is sometimes bigger than the ordinary one, and when transnational corporations are getting more and more power (both over workers and consumers) and the level of violation of rights and dignity by them increases; when organized crime becomes more globalized and when police and state agencies cannot be efficient in countering it, the role of citizens themselves becomes very significant in changing the situation. Young people are traditionally one of first bounder of adjusting and examining new social formats that is why on their behaviour and on their attitude towards values of legality, transparency and human rights depends the future map of European societies. In organization of this study session we will be bringing together 3 approaches: Council of Europe general framework of human rights and basic steps in EDC-HRE, YHRM experience in educating young people on human rights and advocacy methods, as well as on empowering them of further common actions, and - the FLARE recent developments and approaches to legality, anticorruption and transparency. The whole field of anti-corruption, legality and human rights protection is really big, but we will try to concentrate on main close points of them – as corruption ruins the system of human rights protection and makes our life more difficult, as it harms the existing mechanisms of human rights protection. So, the narrative of this Study Session will be an attempt to unite these fields at least at one event where we can find a place to talk also about integration between discussion of Human Rights and the Rule of Law (two out of three main pillars of CoE life) with a special focus on the role of youth. Working languages will be English and Russian. Aims and objectives of the study session The main of the activity is to support young people and youth organizations to take an active role in human rights and in actions for legality. The session will have the following objectives:
Who can apply? All applicants should:
Conditions All travel, board and lodging costs are covered by the Council of Europe in 100%. Participation fee of 50 EUR needs to be paid by each participant. This fee will be deducted from the travel reimbursement. Visa costs are covered except of health insurance costs. All participants will be accommodated in the European Youth Centre Budapest in double rooms. How to apply? All people interested in applying need to fill out an on-line application form available at http://bit.ly/W7GKv4 The deadline for applications is 15 January 2013. Malta UNESCO Youth Association (MUYA) is to joins forces with six other European NGOs to promote adult education and mobility for social inclusion. The first meeting of the EPAEMSI project (European partnership on Adult Education and Mobility for Social Inclusion) will take place in Logroño (Spain) between 27th – 29th November 2012.
This project is co-funded by the European Commission through the Lifelong Learning Programme and brings together partner organisations from Malta, Spain, Romania, Poland, Slovenia, Italy and United Kingdom. Its aim is to use the experience of the partner organisations on social inclusion and the active participation of adult learners from disadvantaged social groups to promote and improve social inclusion through education, in particular non-formal and informal learning methods. Throughout the two-year project, partners will organise mobility events and activities at local level in order to share their best practices on how to use education for social inclusion. One of the objectives is to bring light on the issue of social exclusion whilst using this opportunity to create more mobility projects as a mean to further enhance social inclusion. The group of participants will mainly include adult learners from disadvantaged social groups. They will have an active and prominent role throughout the project by experiencing the best practices and providing feedback whilst benefiting from an intercultural experience. Ms Birgit Oidram and Thelma Bonello will be representing MUYA as project coordinators in the first mobility activity in Logroño. For further information about the project or participation kindly contact the project coordinators on info@muya.info. The “Youth photo games” project took place between the 1st and 9th June, 2012 in Novi Sad in Serbia, It was a project of Youth in Action Program. We have been chosen by MUYA- Malta Unesco Youth Association to participate in this project.
The main aim of the project was to promote voluntarism and Social inclusion and to learn how to do creative photography. The Training Course “Youth Photo Games“ offered us new art techniques and learning methods for improving inclusion of excluded groups of youth with psychological problems – mental health problems. Also by promotion youth voluntarism and photo activities, we were able to use those learning methods in everyday work with excluded youth including them in active local community life. The Project was held in English Language and 2 participants from 15 different countries between the age of 16 and 35 years of age were eligible to participate. The participating counties were Serbia, Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine. The course was funded 100% for food and accommodation and 70% of travel costs by European social fund. The course consisted of basic knowledge of city and nature photography. We also had a workshop on photobatik, post production of photos and night photography. As part of the project we organised an exhibition in the main gallery of the city. We had intercultural evenings and a VMO fair in which each country had promotional material from the organisation they represent . On different occasion we had discussion about human rights and anti discrimination topics. We also held discussions on how to develop strategies to enhance youth work by art photography, and how to prepare a project proposal for future training. At the end of training all participants shared contact details, photos and information about different organisations and some countries even invited us for more projects that will be organised next year. If there is one thing you can say about Egypt is that the country is that culture is embedded in its very core, and is reflected in everything Egyptian.... the food, art, music and across all of Egypt's society.
Malta UNESCO Youth Association would like to invite you to an Egyptian Cultural Evening, the first of a series of similar events. The evening will be held on the 3rd of October at 8pm at the Gudja Youth Centre. The evening will be facilitated by Mohammed Hamed and Egyptian food will be served during the evening. Entrance fee: EUR 2 for members of the Malta UNESCO Youth Association and the Gudja Youth Group EUR 3 for non-members Kindly book your place by 30th September by sending an email on daniel@muya.info Limited places available. Looking forward to seeing you there. Name: Natural Born Players II.-Who will survive?
Description: International youth exchange Natural Born Players II. is a continuation of an exchange in Finland (December 2011). The main aim of the host organisation is to show to all participants the biggest environmental issues in Europe and how to protect the nature. 32 youngsters from the Czech Republic, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Malta and Italy will have a chance to try how to survive in the nature, because the exchange takes place in a very nice camp on the edge of the forest. We also want participants to get more courage among young people and practice their English. In the end of the exchange, youngsters will play a final game, where they will use all knowledge and skillsfrom past 12 days. Dates: 2nd-14th September (12 days) Age: 13-25 Location: Baldovec, Czech Republic Travel costs: 70% reimbursed Type: During the 12 day stay camp games, games in nature (forests) and outdoor games will be organised while also tackling enviromnetal issues. At the end of the exchange during the activity "Who will survive" you will be able to prove your knowledge about nature and also prove your ability of teamwork. Since Malta UNESCO Youth Association is replacing another youth organisation, this means that we got this information late. For this reason, should you be interested we ask you to send in your confirmation of participation at your earliest in the coming days until the 29th of August 2012. Send this information to whoever you think might be interested. Thanks, The MUYA team HOW TO APPLY: send an email to info@muya.info to confirm your interest in participating in this event by sending in the below application filled in; Seminar: TOOL FAIR VII 2012 - Poland
19-23 November 2012 | Poland The 7th edition of the Tool Fair gives you possibility to experience a unique combination of “laboratory” and “market” and to discover tools for learning developed under the Youth in Action programme. The 7th the Tool Fair takes place in Poland. The Tool Fair VII will put a special stress on the education paradigm between formal and non-formal education and also on the future EU programme for young people. Thus, you will have an exceptional possibility to take part in an event combining the atmosphere of a 16th century renaissance castle hosting the Tool Fair VII with the tools that will help shape the EU youth policy of tomorrow. Aim: The Tool Fair VII aims to contribute not only to the learning outcomes of each individual participant but also to the quality of tools and learning processes at European level, complementing the SALTO-YOUTH Toolbox for Training and Youth Work (http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox) and various publications, in coherence with the European Training Strategy. Training overview: This Seminar is for 120 participants from NEIGHBOURING PARTNER COUNTRIES, YOUTH IN ACTION PROGRAMME COUNTRIES and recommended for Youth workers, Trainers, Youth leaders, Project managers Working language(s): English Organizer: Polish National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme, SALTOs (National Agency) Target group: Educational practitioners in European youth field: trainers, youth workers and youth leaders, youth project managers, NA representatives, youth policy makers etc active in the youth field in general and more specifically within the Youth in Action Programme. We welcome participants who have created a tool for learning and/or are willing to share and further develop their tools –together with colleagues- during the Tool Fair. This year we also invite those who realize projects in the frame of the Lifelong Learning Programme using methods of non-formal education. Such a trans-sectoral approach will result in exciting mutual learning effects and will for sure constitute a source of great inspiration for all participants involved. Please feel welcome and share with others your tools! Apply online: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/tool-fair-vii-2012-poland.2596/ Deadline: 10 September 2012 Applications submitted are open also for residents of the Maltese Islands who are active in a group of young people and/or NGO. A co-funding element of €10 applies for selected participants Members of the organisation who apply for this training course are kindly requested to inform Malta UNESCO Youth Association by email on info@muya.info 24-28 October 2012 | Waterman Youth Centre in Brussels, Belgium - FR
Giving a strong positive first experience of international youth projects to motivate the participants to use the Youth in Action Programme. Appetiser aims to give a strong positive first experience of international youth work and motivate participants to use the “Youth in Action” Programme. This aim summarises the entire idea of the seminar – to give a feeling, what it means to work with young people in an international setting. Leaving all explanations and knowledge aside it is about giving a space for participants to explore the advantage of “internationality” themselves. “Appetiser” is designed according to the following objectives: • To taste non-formal and intercultural learning • To enjoy the first intercultural youth project experience • To exchange local youth activities in the international context • To explore possibilities of support available for international youth activities offered by the Youth programme • To analyse examples of qualitative youth projects supported by the “Youth in Action” programme • To see how to benefit from international context in participants local work practice. Training overview This Training course is for 30 participants from Austria, Belgium - FR, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and recommended for Youth workers, Youth leaders, Project managers Working language(s): English Organizer: BIC, YIA NA French speaking community of Belgium (National Agency) For more information and to apply click on: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/appetiser-in-belgium-an-introduction-to-international-youth-work.2494/ Deadline to Apply: 15 June 2012 Members of the organisation applying to this project are kindly requested to inform Malta UNESCO Youth Association on info@muya.info The network of National Agencies for "Youth in Action" organises severl Appetiser TCs per year. Youll find an overview at http://www.salto-youth.net/Appetiser/. 23-27 October 2012 | Spain
International training for those who are directly involved in the support system around the volunteer (mentors and task-related support persons) on the hosting, sending and coordinating side in the European Voluntary Service (EVS) – Action 2 The training course is designed for those who are directly involved in the support system around the EVS volunteer (mentors and task-related support persons) on the hosting, sending and coordinating side. The participants from Sending and Hosting organisations should already have some experience in EVS (minimum of being in the process of sending or hosting a volunteer, better having been already sending or receiving the first volunteer). The overall aim of the SOHO TC is: To increase the quality of EVS activities through development of competencies (knowledge, skills and attitudes) of key actors involved in the support system around EVS volunteer. The specific objectives of the course are: -To get a better understanding of the concept of EVS as “learning service” and related quality aspects in EVS -To improve the ability for co-operation and working in international partnership -To reflect on the roles, responsibilities and challenges within the EVS volunteer support system -To raise awareness of the learning dimension in EVS and provide tools for learning support -To support the recognition of non formal learning in EVS through the implementation of the Youthpass The programme of the SOHO TC is built around six quality aspects relevant to the support people around EVS volunteer. During the course participants will deepen their understanding and increase their competences in relation to the identified quality aspects (reflected practice – selection and inclusion - international partnership – support system - learning in EVS – recognition of learning through Youthpass) thanks to variety of training methods like simulation exercises, case studies, self-reflection tools, conceptual inputs and working groups. This Training course is for 30 participants from Austria, Belgium - FR, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Malta, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and recommended for Youth workers, Young people, EVS mentors/Tutors. Working language(s): English Organizer: Spanish YiA National Agency (National Agency) Co-organizer(s): SALTO T&C RC (coordinator) (SALTO) Deadline 15 June 2012 Apply online: http://www.salto-youth.net/tools/european-training-calendar/training/soho-in-spain-european-training-course-for-evs-support-people.2489/ Learn more by reading the InfoPack: http://www.salto-youth.net/downloads/trainingcalendar_training_download-file-3443/SOHO%20InfoPack_pax_Jan11.pdf Members of the organisation applying are requested to inform Malta UNESCO Youth Association on info@muya.info The network of National Agencies for "Youth in Action" organises a series of SOHOs each year. Youll find an overview on all the upcoming SOHOs at http://www.salto-youth.net/SOHO/ Since the establishment of the organisation in 2007, there was no membership fee applicable and the list kept on being populated with people who had shown their interest in becoming members of MUYA all throughout the past five years.
On April 20th, the committee has decided to introduce a small annual membership of EUR 5. This was applicable as of the Annual General Meeting of 2012, held on May 2nd, 2012. The membership is to be renewed annually. Benefits of submitting/renewing your membership;
OUT-A Training Course on Outdoor Education - Training Course, Marsaxlokk, Malta - June 20127/5/2012 Malta UNESCO Youth Association is looking for Maltese participants for this training course to be held in Malta. “O.U.T – A Training Course on Outdoor Education” aims at exploring the concept, principles and practice of outdoor education and the way they can contribute to the efficiency of youth work and also to the development of healthy and pro-active lifestyles. It will be a situated learning opportunity since most of the working methods will be highly experiential and implemented in the outdoors. The objectives that have been set for this training course are the following: • To experience outdoor educational activities of a wide variety and diversity towards participants’ enhancement of personal and social-interaction capacities; • To offer an interactive meeting space for youth workers working in the European context in order to exchange good practice relevant to outdoor education; • To explore the principles and practices of experiential learning and their implication in outdoor education; • To encourage participants to use and develop the practice of outdoor education according to their work environments’ specificities; • To offer a participatory programme of activities ensuring everyone’s active involvement in its evolution; • To empower participants in acting as multipliers so that they build up to the experience gained during the course and having it spread to relevant stakeholders; • To stimulate participants interest in different, ecological, healthy and responsible lifestyles; • To explore possibilities for future cooperation among participants namely in the field of outdoor education but not exclusively. Participating countries: AUT, ESP, EST, GRE, ITA, IRE, LTV, MTA, POL, POR, ROM, SVK Age limit: 18+ Persons from Malta: 2 Total number of participants: 24 Dates: 23rd - 30th June, 2012 Place: Marsaxlokk, Malta Venue: Marsaxlokk Youth Activity Centre By sending an application for this Training Course, the Maltese applicants chosen commit themselves to participate in every activity of the project. Furthermore, the stay at the venue throughout the project is obligatory. Accommodation and food covered by host organisation. Kindly find Information Pack and Application Form below. Send application form ASAP to info@muya.info. Related Documents:
Amazing opportunity to enjoy and experience Malta's beautiful natural landscape in great company! Date: Sunday 22 April, 2012 Meeting time: 9.30am - 9.45am Meeting place: In front of Bahrija Primary School, St. Nicholas College, School Street, Bahrija. Directions from Valletta to Bahrija: Map for meeting point: We shall meet at 9.30am in front of the Primary School in Bahrija. We will walk from Bahrija to Mtahleb (4km walk), stop for a picnic and then walk back to Bahrija (3km walk). It is important that those attending wear tracking or running shoes and get plenty of water & sun protection cream. For the picnic we invite anyone to get his/her own food and some to share.
For logistical purposes we ask you to inform us if you will be joining us for this hike by sending an email to info@muya.info by 21 April, 2012 at 7pm with your name, mobile number and number of people. Feel free to invite your friends to join us too! The more the merrier! :) It is important to understand that whatever you get with you, you will have to carry so we suggest that you do not get un-necessary things. Dear all, I would kindly like to inform you that the next AGM of MUYA is going to be held on the 2nd of May 2012 at 19:00 at KSU Common Room, University of Malta. Kindly find the agenda of the AGM in link below. It would be great if you could inform the Secretary General about your attendance by 25th of April. There are two important procedures to be communicated prior to the AGM. 1. Elections This year we will have four posts in the Committee up for elections: 1) President 2) International Officer 3) Member of Committee 4) Member of Committee All 'full members' (have been members at least one full year) of MUYA can contest for these posts. The nominations and applications for the vacant posts accompanied by a short motivation letter are to be sent to the President and the Secretary General by 23rd of April to info@muya.info. 2. Motions Each member can propose motions to the Statute which you may find in the link below. These motions have to reach the Secretary General by 25th of April to birgit@muya.info. Should you require more information regarding the AGM or above mentioned procedures, kindly contact Birgit (birgit@muya.info) for further information. Kind regards, Birgit Oidram Secretary General
This course, “Living Forward, Reflecting Afterwards”, is aimed at developing the competences of those youth workers involved in social inclusion activities with young prisoners. The objectives of this project are: 1. To provide a space for sharing experiences and best practices of those professionals working with young prisoners in several European countries and with special regard to those difficulties they normally have and how they overcome them; 2. To explore and learn about a new educational approach called DRAMA PRETEXT in order to improve the quality of the youth work done with this sensitive target group; 3. To develop the skills and attitudes of youth workers in Europe through non formal education methodologies in order to better face and solve interpersonal communication and interaction with young prisoners; 4. To give tools and methods to youth workers for better plan future social inclusion activities through YiA Programme such as Action 1.2 Group initiatives within the prisons; 5. To develop the competences of participants in developing their own drama pretexts adapted to the group of young people they work with; 6. To set the ground for future collaboration and joint projects among the group of participants. Age limit: No age limit Persons from Malta: 2 Total number of participants: 22 Dates: 2nd - 11th April, 2012 Place: Murcia, Spain Venue: Casa del Trigo, Municipality of Caravaca de la Cruz Accommodation and food covered by host organisation. Travel expenses refunded 70% Information pack below. Send application form ASAP to info@muya.info.
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 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 - 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 ASAP
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. 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, Spain10/12/2011 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 Theatrical Art as a tool for Intercultural Dialogue - Training Course, Romania - November 201113/10/2011 Malta UNESCO Youth Association is looking for one participant to represent Malta and the organisation in a traning course about theatrical art as a tool for intercultural dialogue to be held in Râmnicu Sărat, Romania from the 6th till the 13th of November, 2011. The training course “Theatrical Art as a Tool for Intercultural Dialogue Creation” is designed as a process of non-formal learning and peer education involving participants from different countries who work with young people, have experience in the fields of youth work, youth arts and international cooperation. Participants are required to have an active input in sharing knowledge and experience, and to be willing to learn new skills, in the dramatic arts and intercultural youth work, from the trainers and each other. This active participation will encourage ownership of the learning, motivation and comittment to working together, building effective international working relationships, making the training an exercise in best practice Using theatrical arts within the Youth in Action Program is a very valuable tool for developing intercultural learning, cooperation and quality projects in the youth field among all the regions concerned. This training course is designed to encourage partnership building activity, development of intercultural youth projects and networking among promoters from southern EU, Mediterranean Partner Countries, Eastern Europe and Caucasus regions in the framework of the Youth in Action programme. The project is focused on the individual creative development of each participant and sharing such intercultural competences as appreciative inquiry, open minded personality, respect and trust, mutual understanding and team work. Through cultural relationships we strive to generate opportunities for individuals to fulfill their potential and foster the co-operation that contributes to a stable world. Objectives : - Promoting forum theater as non-formal tool for developing creativity and intercultural dialogue - Developing solidarity and mutual understanding, a positive and tolerant attitude towards cultural diversity - Empowering youth workers for using non-formal social intervention tools to fight against rasism, discrimination and any kind of human rights violations - Bringing together organizations working with youth in order to share working methods - Establishing new partnerships, building new projects within the Youth in Action Programme framework If you are interested in participating in this project kindly send the attached form urgently on info@muya.info
Malta UNESCO Youth Association would like to invites its members to a Youth in Action workshop that will result in the generation and exploration of project ideas which could be used in a project application for the 1st November deadline. The workshop will be held on the 24th September 2011 at the Marsaxlokk Youth Activity Centre from 09:00 till 19:30.
The workshop will include an introduction to the Youth in Action programme so you do not need to be an expert on the funding programme. Participation in past Youth in Action projects would help though although not absolutely necessary. The workshop is a great opportunity for you to learn more about Youth in Action and what goes behind organising such project. Lunch and coffee breaks will be provided by MUYA and participation is free. Should you be interested to join kindly send an email to birgit@muya.info by Thursday 22nd September 2011. It is important that if you would like to join, you can be present all throughout the workshop. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask. After the workshop we shall be going straight out to dinner at SouthEast Cafe in Marsaxlokk. Should you wish to join us for dinner kindly let us know by the deadline also so that we can book your place at the table. Dinner is optional and comes at an extra charge. Hope to see you there! :) |