Report of the Selection Panel for the Trainers' Team of the 4th Training for EYP Trainers The Selection panel, composed of Maria Manolescu (appointed Trainers’ team coordinator by the Training and Alumni Development Council), Jacob Düringer (on behalf of the EYP International Office) and Kati Pärn (representing EYP Estonia - NOC) discussed from April 20th to April 22nd the applications received to fill 2 spots for the trainers’ team of this year’s T4ET.
Applicants The panel received 5 applications, out of which only 1 candidate was female. Candidates came from Croatia, Germany, the Netherlands, Tunisia and Ukraine. Only two applications had been submitted before the deadline, with the other three candidates having asked for a deadline extension. The panel would have enjoyed a more competitive selection and thus a higher number of applications.
Deliberations Before receiving all applications, the panel discussed the criteria on which the selection was to be carried out. The final team of trainers will be composed of four trainers, the coordinator, an external trainer to be selected later and two EYP trainers. The panel was now looking to fill the two spots for EYP Trainers and was thus looking for two candidates who know EYP well enough to be able to critically asses its training needs and be aware of its culture. Moreover, the ideal candidates would have attended a training for trainers, be it a T4ET or an equivalent week long residential course. Additionally, Maria shared her view on the trainers’ team, namely that she wished for a team where different approaches, personalities and visions on training were present; furthermore, she expressed her view that ideally, besides the candidates being experienced enough to be competent to train in such a course, they could
still benefit from the learning experience and would be committed to continue their activity as trainers in EYP, multiplying the effect of the gained experience. The panel discussed each applicant in turn, with one of the panel members (Maria) remaining silent in one case, due to her personal relation with a candidate. All applicants’ training experience, motivation and vision for training in EYP were individually discussed, after which their strengths and weaknesses were compared to one another. Out of the five candidates, one applicant had a limited training and EYP experience. Another candidate had trained extensively, but was rather new to EYP. The panel decided it would be best for this applicant to be considered in the process of selecting the external trainer. A candidate with extensive EYP experience had not attended any training for trainers - the panel agreed to encourage this candidate to apply to T4ET as a participant. Only two of the applicants had attended training for trainers, be it T4ET or equivalent. Only one candidate is on the Pool of Trainers. In its deliberations, the panel only considered individuals who had applied to the team. While the panel considered extending the deadline to have a more competitive procedure, it concluded that this would not be fair for those who applied; most importantly, two candidates fulfilled the criteria and presented themselves as great additions to the trainers’ team and thus there was no real need for a deadline extension.
Selected team After thorough discussions and careful analysis the panel agreed to invite Christian Macht (Germany) and Boaz Manger (the Netherlands) to join T4ET 2014’s trainers’ team, alongside Maria Manolescu (Romania) and an external trainer (tbc). Christian attended several training courses for trainers, notably FIT’06 (Facilitating International Teams) with AskNaommie and T4T’12 organised by AEGEE and EYP. He has extensive training experience inside and outside EYP, including from his experience as a teacher. Alongside the latter, Christian’s emphasis on innovating and creating something new in relation to EYP methodology; his dedication to developing training in EYP, as well as his approach, all detailed in his application, convinced the panel. Boaz was among the first among all participants from T4ET 2012 to join the Pool of Trainers. He has trained in several weekend long training courses in EYP, aside session trainings he carried out as a team leader. He has also trained in the framework of his university. The panel was impressed by Boaz’s critical approach to trainings and his desire to improve certain aspects, both in general, as well as in T4ET. It was considered an additional advantage that
Boaz can bring the (former) participants’ perspective to the team, adding to the team’s commitment to continue improving T4ET’s from one year to the other. Maria’s, Boaz’s and Christian’s approaches and vision on training were finally compared. The panel observed the differences between the three and agreed it would be highly beneficial to have this variety on the trainers’ team. The selection panel would like to congratulate Christian and Boaz. We are convinced they make an excellent addition to the trainers’ team and wish them the best of luck with all preparations!
Kati Pärn, Jacob Düringer and Maria Manolescu
The Hague, 24th April 2014