PEACE LOVE AND UNITY Youth Exchange – Street Arts against Racism
Idea Due to the economic crisis in Europe, on can observe the augmentation of nationalism, the intensification of stereotypes (promoted also by the media), the increase of feelings of xenophobia and racism (targeting mostly people of different cultural backgrounds, immigrants, etc) and the increased marginalization and intolerance towards certain groups of people (Roma, homosexuals, people living in extreme poverty, etc). Art is among the most powerful tools of expression. Regardless of who you are, where you come from, your background or education, art is a means with which you can express yourself and communicate with other people, breaking the barriers of language and cultural differences. Especially Street Arts -that are very popular among the young people and more accessible to everybody- can be used in urban contexts to promote solidarity and tolerance, break the stereotypes and pass messages against racism and xenophobia. The idea is to create a sharing space in Kalamata during 9 days, where young people from different European countries can exchange their ideas and opinions, have a constructive dialogue around the issues described above, learn more about and practice different kinds of street arts and work together to present a common result in the streets of Kalamata. Through this project, we hope to develop and provide new tools to young people that already have some experience in art, but also to youngsters who, although they don’t have experience in art, wish to learn about the Street arts. Priority will be given to young people with fewer opportunities. Objectives In this exchange we would like to ensure: • Active participation of the participants • Free expression • Intercultural Learning We would also like to: • Introduce young people to non formal learning • Involve local communities • Give opportunities to the young people to find new ways of expressing -which they can apply in their local communities • • • • •
Aims To fight against racism and stereotypes To promote European citizenship To use new ways of learning To promote Street Art Values / non-formal education values To create a network between the participants
PEACE LOVE AND UNITY Youth Exchange – Street Arts against Racism
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To give them the opportunity to express their creativity To exchange knowledge about the musical traditions of Hip Hop To create a common work around the topic : Fight against racism and sterotypes
Finally, thought the activities of this exchange and the preparation of the final event/presentation, the participants will gain some organizational and project management skills. Theme and topic Street arts, activation of young people, participation In this exchange we will deal mostly with circus arts (juggling, clowns, acrobats etc) and Hip-hop arts (Break dance, Rap, Graffiti, Djing, Beat box) Target group: 18-25 years old, with experience in circus and Hip-Hop arts and youth with fewer opportunities (ideally combining the groups in order to achieve peer learning outcomes and motivation for youth with fewer opportunities) Partners – 10 countries (5 pax +1 leader) about 60 pax in general As this will be an Action 1.1 Youth Exchange, eligible participants can come only from programme countries (27 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey) As we want our partners to be involved in this Youth Exchange as much as possible, ideally Group leaders should have experience in circus or hip-hop arts and be able to lead a workshop about them. Timeframe 12 January – Deadline for expression of interest by partners 1 February application 15 May – youth groups and youth leaders ready 15 May – 15 July preparation phase 17-19 May APV Exchange -> Saturday 20 – Monday 29 July 2013 Description of activities During the exchange, the participants will get to know each other, will create the framework of the exchange and will start practicing. They will be divided in different mixed groups, according to the kind of art they will practice for: After that, they will work together to create a street performance where they will combine the arts and they will present their final result to the public. The participants will also make a documentary about the impact of art to a local environment. The last day will be used for the evaluation of the exchange
PEACE LOVE AND UNITY Youth Exchange – Street Arts against Racism
Methodology Non formal learning, peer to peer, presentations, learning from experience, discussions Expected results Practical – final event, videos, exhibition, performance, street arts and a video documentary Learning – new skills and competences, exchange of different ways of arts, creativity, thinking out of the box, organizational skills, group work… The venue Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messinia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf. Kalamata and the region around it has great historical and cultural value as well as natural beauty, being surrounded by both sea and the mountain of Taygetos. Useful links The organization: www.ngokane.org
www.streetfestival.gr The weather:
http://www.meteo.gr/cf.asp?city_id=15
http://www.holiday-weather.com/kalamata/index.html About Kalamata:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamata Map of Kalamata
http://www.world66.com/europe/greece/kalamata
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING, SEND US AN E-MAIL AT FOTINI@NGOKANE.ORG WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH YOU