Mobility for All by european play work association

Report

Mobility for All! â&#x20AC;Ś initiating Regional Youth Mobility Programmes in West Africa and The Caribbean This project was supported by

Contact

e.p.a. • european play work association Erzbergerstr. 3 • 22765 Hamburg Tel. +49.40.433 190 www.go-epa.org • epa@ go-epa.org

photos by e.p.a.

Contents Introduction

Methodology

Hamburg (1st part)

Strasbourg

Geneva

Bruxelles

Hamburg (2nd part)

Intercultural Learning

European Dimension

Results

Evaluation

Participants Comments

between neighbouring countries. The consequences for sustainable development were self evident as these young people never had the opportunity to meet each other to exchange ideas, cultures, problems and dreams or build civil societies. First ideas for the design and implementation of the ‘Mobility for All!’ project were developed with participants and responsible people during the last stage of ‘A Different Triangle!’. The idea was further developed and translated into plans, activities and finally: applications.

Introduction 28 young people from … Colombia, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brazil, from UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, from Ghana, Cape Verde, Liberia, Nigeria ... 13 countries from 3 continents experienced in Youth Exchanges, all from communities with fewer opportunities, representing e.p.a. partner organisations, met in the EU with the aim to challenge those responsible for Development Aid and Cooperation to “seed fund” two pilot regional Youth Exchange Programmes in West Africa and The Caribbean.

For more information about ‘A different Triangle!’ have a look: www.go-epa.org/en/a-different-triangle The main activity of this ‘Mobility for ALL!’ project - the European ExploreExplain-Campaign-Tour - started with introductions, preparation, continued with meetings and training, included a Global Youth Forum, ended with evaluation and an action plan in Hamburg. During over a 3 week period we visited the Council of Europe, the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, as well as the Court of Human Rights, then to Geneva to meet with UN Development agencies and the World Council of Churches. Then onto the EU Commission, the European Parliament and ACP in Brussels. The Dissemination of results

This project was firmly based on partnerships made during our tri-continental youth co-operation project ‘A Different Triangle!’ e.p.a. organised between 2007 and 2010. It consisted a series of international youth exchanges, seminars and trainings taking place in Hamburg, Liverpool, Recife, Santo Domingo, Lisbon, Accra and Amsterdam. One of the main results was the realisation that one of the greatest barriers to sustainable development in West Africa and the Caribbean is that so little contact is made 4

was carried out by the young people in each of the participating countries.

Preparation

Outputs were - Awareness and proof of Need for a Youth Mobility Programme, - Knowledge of Development Aid (ECHO, ACP, UNDP etc.), - Sustainable networks, we continued building the ‘Triangle’ partnership, - Matrix of funding opportunities (EU, DEVCO ACP, ECOWAS, UNICEF etc.), - Exchange of good practice (e.p.a., Youth Programme, EACEA), - Capacity building: project management, fundraising, communication, - The intention to apply for an Action, one in each of the two regions.

When the grants were agreed and the project officially started we provided information on each stage and invited all partners to collaborate actively with their opinion, knowledge and experience … and we asked them to complete correspondent tasks.

The ‘Mobility for All!’ project consisted of a series of preparatory activities during 2012, involving about 15 partners and other supporting organisations. Amongst lots of video conferences, endless emails and virtual cooperation in our ‘Mobility for All!’ intranet we held: Long term outputs are to be the establishment of regional Youth Mobility programmes for the countries of West Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo) and the Caribbean (Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, the islands of the Lesser Antilles and islands of the Greater Antilles).

- various preparatory meetings with the e.p.a. team, including project coordinator, assistance and trainers, - a main preparatory meeting in Hamburg in April with 2 trainer colleagues from Ghana and Colombia, - various contact meetings with (European) institutions in Brussels, Hamburg, Strasbourg and Geneva. A network of youth and development work organisations around Hamburg 5

were established to extend the impact of the whole project and to support our Global Youth Forum … an idea as outcome of our consultations with partners when the project just started and when we realised that many more people and organisations wanted to become involved in this ambitious project.

Tour achieved the foundation amongst the Institutions mentioned above to proceed with a feasibility study to include business plan, risk assessment, Government responses, financial protocols and articles of governance in establishing Youth Mobility programmes in West Africa and the Caribbean!

All partner organisations were ask to select their representatives regarding the criteria we worked out and agreed during the preparatory meeting and to support the chosen ones with their preparation (travel, visa, collecting information, fundraising, to create workshops and a presentation, finding information on Youth Policy, Ministerial responsibility, NGO activities etc.). All young people participating in this Project were able to articulate all aspects of a youth exchange and give reports and information on their countries youth policy and the need for Youth Mobility Programmes.

Methodology The arranged meetings were usually in “important” institutional buildings: Hamburg Town Hall, Palais de l’Europe, EU Parliament, Court of Human Rights, The United Nations, Madou Plaza Tower etc.

We produced: - Programme flyers in 4 languages (English, Português, Deutsch, Español) - Posters composing a Mobile exhibition: to introduce the partners and their commitment for Millenium Goals within their communities and to raise awareness for the ‘Mobility for All!’ project - a “Roll- up” Banner - ‘Mobility for All!’ Leaflets - A booklet with attached DVD (pre-tour version) … with comments, information on the project supporting our concept and commitment. Apart from these touchable products, we worked on visions, concepts and a commitment. The outcome of this European

Our working method was a wide-range preparation in the first days in Hamburg. A specific training and orienting workshop before each scheduled meeting: (Who will we meet? What do we want? – background, position, basic information of the represented organisation), prepared by the trainers or some volunteer young people. The meeting themselves were usually with the MEPs, Officials, Experts, Directors, Diplomats who were present and consisted of a presentation by e.p.a., a statement or speech by the hosting official and then a question and 6

answer session. We always followed up with a feed back session where we shared our impressions, knowledge and significance of each meeting. There was an overall evaluation in the final days in Hamburg.

started with some games to get to know each other, for insights we visited social projects, for some orientation in the neighborhood we got our food in different places, sometimes at good practice community projects providing food.

For the Global Youth Forum - which was quite different to the meetings with officials - small groups of participants and young people committed to One World Issues (and Millenium Goals) from Hamburg and beyond, prepared various workshops by themselves. During the day we had rounds, where the protagonists facilitated and introduced their respective workshop with energisers and media.

In order to prepare our main activity the European Explore-Explain-CampaignTour - we had a wide range of preparatory sessions with some specific tasks which included i.e.: preparation of a mobile poster project exhibition, training on presentation techniques, choreography of a creative, swift and surprising presentation of all participants.

We enjoyed an alternative Hamburg dock tour ... focused on International trade, labour regulations and post colonialism and we had an intense session to finalise the preparation with agreements and arrangements of our famous Global Youth Forum at the St. Katharinen Church in the City Centre of Hamburg, 8th September. For the Global Youth Forum we welcomed additional young participants and youth workers from Hamburg and beyond.

Hamburg (1st part) After arriving safely in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in Northern Germany, there was not much time to recover from jet lags! The next morning 7

constructive and peaceful conversation with police officers regarding a loud music issue. For this essential activity, additional funding was applied for and granted by Hamburg foundations for development cooperation.

Participants from 3 continents knew that they will have a great opportunity to meet many interested young people from Hamburg and beyond! The Hamburg young people knew that they could meet people from 13 countries and 3 continents - all in one place! We ask everybody in advance: What would you like to share? What can you prepare? After a very short night the European ‘Explore-Explain-Campaign-Tour’ officially started and we took trains to ...

Strasbourg In Strasbourg we had the great opportunity to stay in the European Youth Centre with it’s amazing facilities from 9. - 14. September 2012. This part of our Tour was designed as the main ‘Mobility for All!’ Training activity.

Finally we celebrated an amazing day with many workshops - led by teams of young people from here and there. Topics were i.e.: Young people’s contribution to the Millenium goals, future perspectives, alternative fundraising, global markets, the circle of violence, youth & politics … Of course we had a big Intercultural party in the end of the day, where the Jamaicans experienced for the first time that young people can have a

The main theme was "understanding the role of youth mobility". We concentrated on project monitoring and management (How do I organise a Youth Exchange?), International Youth Exchanges (What does a Youth Exchange mean? What is a programme for a Youth Exchange?), 8

fundraising (How do we fund a Youth Exchange?), application, evaluation, human rights, youth policy development (How does a Youth Mobility Programme work?), introduced and accompanied by trainers and the e.p.a. team.

supporting a Youth Mobility programme. This seminar provided us with a microcosm of what the participants needed to further their aims.

We used various tools, when thinking of a Youth Exchange - pages from both EYF and EU application forms, reports on previous e.p.a. youth exchanges especially the ‘A different Triangle!’ project. Videos of participants on a youth exchange. This material was used in interactive workshops during the 7 workshops in Strasbourg.

Between our training and seminar sessions we tested a number of energisers, we visited the Council of Europe Palais de l’Europe, the Court of Human Rights, the EU Parliament Building, were we observed a parliamentary debate, were invited for lunch and had meetings with MEPs, their assistants and EP officials.

The results were: participants gained and were able to demonstrate a knowledge of a Youth Mobility Programme, the elements involved from idea, concept, application to programme, activity, evaluation and final report.

Staying at the Youth Centre we were happy about an introduction of the work and vision of the European Youth Foundation (What’s behind a youth programme?), the European Youth Centres and the Council of Europe.

And from the other side how a Youth Programme works its budget, application procedures, priorities, monitoring and management. The importance of Human Rights as a pillar to any Youth Mobility Programme and the essential role Parliamentarians have in prioritising and 9

... an opportunity to share, explore and learn how to explain the setting up of youth mobility programmes.

We are quite sure that by the end of our stay in Strasbourg all participants from the Americas, from Africa and Europe understood the difference between the European Union and the Council of Europe ;-)

These areas were covered by the topics discussed and laid a solid foundation for further development of the aims and objectives: We shared our experiences of Youth Exchanges, we explained our aims to institutions and MEP's and we explored the workings of a Youth Programme by information. These were young colleagues, who had participated in the e.p.a. ‘A different Triangle!’ project, who were now embarking on a ‘Mobility for All!’ project to establish Youth Mobility Programmes in West Africa and the Caribbean.

Regarding the different aspects of the whole project a summary of this training part could be described as following:

The European Youth Centre was a perfect environment to hold this activity. It was the very first time in over 30 years of e.p.a. international youth work, that we held an activity in the European Youth

The Training Seminar was what the participants wanted and what we have prepared in cooperation with our partners 10

Centre and it was amazing. Nobody (apart from Tony) had ever experienced this unique combination of space, resources, accommodation in a beautiful City.

We so much appreciated the hospitality of all the EYC Team: the Cleaning Ladies, those behind the reception desk, the library and technical assistance, the knowledge and insights, shared by the European Youth Foundation people - all of them, the perfect opportunities to meet, learn work and even party, the delicious food and the kindness with which it was served, the lightness of the bed rooms, the availability of internet everywhere, the wide space, the terrace, even the summer weather during our September days in Strasbourg! So e.p.a. was well pampered and looked after, it made the work we did, very fluid and achievable. Our participants wrote many comments on a poster, which we left at the EYC. Our sincere thanks to all!

The programme of the UN ‘Open Day’ focused on democracy (15 September being the International Day of Democracy) and sustainable energy (2012 was the International Year of Sustainable Energy for all) and marked the tenth anniversary of Switzerland’s accession to the United Nations. Visitors could participate in dozens of activities, including concerts, dances and other cultural performances organized with the help of member states, film screenings, debates on democracy, exhibitions, quizzes and sports. It gave us the great opportunity to contact several UN departments (UNICEF, UNDP etc.) and other visitors with similar interests … contacts were made.

Geneva After a very dense and apparently exhausting programme in Strasbourg, we had planned to take a breath during our weekend in Geneva. But before we enjoyed ‘breath taking‘ views of the Alps and Lake Geneva looking out the windows on our comfortable train journey.

One of the Geneva highlights was our visit to the United Nations quarter during their ‘Open Day’. It started in a very long cue with thousands of people (some 9.000 visitors came). A good opportunity for our group to roll-up our ‘Mobility for All!’ banner and to offer free Salsa lessons whilst queuing in the sunshine. We made many people smile and we were a point of interest for their photo and video cameras.

We spend another day at the Ecumenical Centre of the World Church Council (WCC) in Geneva. It started with an ecumenical service in the morning, an introduction to the WCC, an inspiring ecumenical chapel tour and meetings and discussions with WCC programme officers for Youth and the Caribbean. 12

Organising travel for a project with participants from three continents makes you believe that there is no logic at all in ticket pricing which is sometimes quite frustrating. And it is even more frustrating if you try very hard to travel Europe eco-friendly by train but plane tickets are fare more cheaper than train tickets. This is why we boarded an airplane to get from Geneva to â&#x20AC;Ś

In between we used our time for some more workshops - at the banks of Lake Geneva - which were focused on: nourishing the e.p.a. tri-continental youth network, establishing regional cooperations in the Caribbean and WestAfrica.

The accommodation at a Hotel was quite expensive - as almost everything in the city - but provided tickets for the excellent public transportation system. This was very welcomed by our young people from three continents, because they had the chance to discover Geneva and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beauty with busses, ferries and trams always on time.

Kordas, Expert for Humanitarian Matters, Local Government and Civil Society, Political Affairs and Human Development

Bruxelles In Brussels we continued our mission for Youth Mobility programmes and met many important, interesting and fortunately interested people.

Department we again presented our group, our project and our vision. In the ACP secretariat a mayor meeting went on and by leaving the building very slowly, some of our people used this opportunity for informal talks with officials and diplomats from ACP states. We visited the European Parliament and had meetings with MEPs (amongst them one of the youngest) and their assistants.

We were invited to the Brussels based secretariat of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP). In a meeting and discussion with Dr. Corrie14

Staying in Brussels: Who can you ask to get 1st hand information on Youth Mobility programmes? The ‘Youth in Action’ programme of the EU was our main funder for this ‘Mobility for All!’ project and we had the privilege to visit to the EU Commission - Directorate Education and Culture. After practising a lot, we did it again … by now with professional attitude: a project presentation and share of our vision. We thank Mr Lejeune the director of ‘Youth in Action’ for receiving us in the Madou Tower.

Hamburg (2nd part) Maybe every Tour has it’s end and for our ‘Mobility for All!’ initiative we still have a long way to go to harvest the fruits, but for this part of the project, for the ‘European Explore-ExplainCampaign-Tour’ Hamburg was the ultimate destination.

One of the MEP’s assistant organised a visit to the ‘Parliamentarium’ opposite the Parliament. The exhibition was highly appreciated amongst our participants.

When we arrived in Hamburg (by train!, changing 5 times), we had no time to relax. There were again some important meetings programmed and young people, who joined the ‘Global Youth Forum’ were desperate to know what we had experienced on our European journey. Their interested questions during our Public presentation of experiences of the European ‘Explore-Explain-CampaignTour’ supported our reflection and evaluation process. A reception at the Hamburg Town Hall: We were welcomed by the head of the 15

Department of development cooperation Mr Grätz who introduced the history and architecture of the town hall, decorated with some stories from Hamburgs past. It was a great surprise for our Colombians to see the bust of the great liberator Simón Bolívar in the historic meeting room.

Especially our participants from Latin America had been very much looking forward to our Visit to the new Hamburg based European Union-Latin America and Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC). The debate with Executive Director Mr Valdez Carrillo and Researcher Ms Trüb was somewhat disappointing, as the foundation did not seem to be really interested in our initiative coming from the civil society, their interest being more focused on economic and political cooperation.

After this introduction the Hamburg secretary of state Mr W. Schmidt took over. Much to the pleasure of our colleagues who normally did the translation, he spoke in English and translated his speech himself into Spanish. We did (guess what?) an introduction of our group, a quick presentation of the ‘Mobility for All!’ initiative and our vision and thanked the Hamburg Senate for their support with the visa issues. We then had a vivid discussion with representatives of the Hamburg Senate and with various members of the Hamburg parliament.

conferences involving all partners from 13 countries, their task being to share their view of Europe.

Intercultural Learning With participants from 12 countries over 3 continents it was a truly intercultural learning experience. Most of the participants had already visited the 3 continents Africa, South America/Caribbean and Europe during the ‘A Different Triangle!’ Youth Exchanges and had an idea of the different countries involved, their history, values and norms of the culture. In this project they combined this knowledge into a cohesive cooperative approach to a Youth Mobility programme.

In Hamburg we spent a full day in the Elsa- Brändström Haus, which offered a beautiful ambience for our Evaluation day. We worked with different methods: personally and in groups, hand written and on our online form, sincerely and of course playfully!

Our Farewell party with participants from four continents in the W3, a centre for International culture and politics was an opportunity for dances of both body and mind - a splendid and poignant ending of 3 weeks of amazing international learning and friendship and a successful European ‘Explore-ExplainCampaign-Tour’.

European Dimension The main European dimension was: it is "Europe-blue flag and gold stars!!" that has developed and successfully run the

One of the follow up activities planned was our participation in the EYE Hamburg (European Youth Event) with Video 17

European Youth Foundation for 40 years (!), the European Youth Centre and the EU Youth Programme (and to a lesser extent the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Programme). All of these institutions have contributed enormously to the aims and objectives of this project. Half the participants were European and were able to share their experiences of Youth Activities supported by the above institutions.

Senegal saying one thing, the French Embassy another. Despite meticulous preparation and support letters in the end our colleague was refused a Visa. Even though two months later we were informed by the Hamburg Senate that he should have been granted a visa, but the eventual â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? was lost in a pile awaiting the ambassador coming back from his holidays!!

Visa Issues As ever the preparation of the visas was hard work, for both: the participants who came from countries needing a visa and for the e.p.a. team. The procedures went this time almost smoothly, except for our participant from Cabo Verde, who after a great deal of effort was refused a Schengen Visa from the French and German Embassies.

Results The participants have returned to their Countries, Cities and Communities and have begun the process of campaigning towards the APC representatives and the EU DevCom Committee with the aim of presenting an application in the near future for the establishment of Youth Mobility Programmes in West Africa and the Caribbean. We can only hope!! but that is the aim to convince the governments of the countries of West Africa and the Caribbean and the EU DevCom institutions to support our initiative.

The German Schengen Visa in Cabo Verde is administered by the French Embassy. This caused endless problems; with the German officials in Berlin and Dakar / 18

The participants have a knowledge and a vision of what they want to provide to their young people i.e. Youth Exchanges, Seminars, Training Courses and what a Youth Mobility Programme needs in order to establish a sustainable programme to benefit these young people. With all the insights we gained in Strasbourg and Bruxelles we somehow hoped to "mirror" the European Youth Work example in West Africa and the Caribbean.

institutions, their Directors, MEP’s, Diplomats believed that our aim to create the conditions for Youth Mobility Programmes in West Africa and the Caribbean was a very good youth initiative and deserved to succeed. The General Objectives…. This was achieved by bringing 30 young people with “fewer opportunities” speaking 4 languages from 20 nationalities together for three weeks for a Tour through 4 countries of Europe. We therefore “fostered mutual understanding” developed “solidarity and tolerance” and promoted “active citizenship”.

Who benefited… The other members of the partner groups who gained from the experience of the participants on their return, the wider communities as the experience, skills and abilities gained during the Tour could be replicated in any power/ decision making structure. Also the important people we met as they were surprised and grateful for meeting such an international and exciting group of young people.

The Annual Priorities… This was promoted by focusing on Youth Mobility, Inclusiveness (meaning opening access!), Environmental and Health issues as they developed the Youth Mobility programmes geographically for West Africa and the Caribbean.

The multiplying effect and follow up… This will be shown in the next phase of the project, where we hope to carry out a “feasibility study”, creating a business plan, risk assessment, governance policy, full application etc. and entail visiting partners negotiating with Governments, establishing support and setting up a framework of implementation. The goal of the project will be the follow up creation of Regional Youth Mobility projects in West Africa and the Caribbean.

Objectives of Project planned… As mentioned above this was overwhelmingly achieved by recipients of our Tour being convinced of the veracity of our aims and objectives. Relevance to the participants… As described earlier in this report, many participants had already participated in the three years e.p.a. Triangle Project, their interests and personal development were very much tied up in this ‘Explore-Explain-Campaign-Tour’. They were able to articulate and contribute to the debates and presentations during these three weeks and 27 high level meetings. The aims were achieved and each participant made their own as-

The main success and achievement of this ‘Explore-Explain-Campaign-Tour’ was the overwhelming support we received from almost everyone we met. All the 19

sessment and evaluation during the final evaluation meetings in Hamburg. (See Participants comments) Non Formal learning was at the heart of this Tour, all the workshops, meetings, presentations were carried out with proven methodologies of non formal learning.

Evaluation We had team meetings each evening. All participants were involved in the evaluation by taking part in the daily forums, the final plenary evaluation with some playful and visual elements and the written on-line evaluation on the final day.

As the aim was to ‘Explore-ExplainCampaign-Tour’, the indicators we were looking for were “did we find what we wanted, did we describe and present what we wanted and did we lobby the appropriate institutions?”. The answer to all these is YES. We found the contacts who could enhance our aims Directors, MEP’S, Commissioners, Diplomats and Ambassadors. All were enthusiastic of our Aim of setting up Youth Mobility Programmes in West Africa and the Caribbean. They gave us many tips and support, ideas and further contacts to achieve our aims.

The evaluation process started from the very beginning of the project. We had a preparatory planning meeting, visits to the institutions, each day we held a feed back meeting from the day before and a planning meeting for the day ahead. We took notes of all meetings and in the last days in Hamburg participated in a Global Youth Forum, here we fed in our experiences of our ‘ExploreExplain-Campaign-Tour’ and shared ideas and proposals with over 50 young people. A written evaluation questionnaire was completed by the participants and together with their other documentation is distilled into the “Participant comments”, together with Video Interviews (see DVD). 20

to be found in all 14 partner organisation annual reports for the past three years, they have records of press releases, radio and TV interviews and the work many have done in their communities, local schools and youth organisations.

This ‘Explore-Explain-Campaign-Tour’ had a profound effect on ALL participants. To visit the Hamburg Town Hall, The Palace of Europe, the European Court of Human Right, the United Nations on lake Geneva, the EU Commission Building and European Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels, the headquarters of ACP and WCC was not only an architectural delight, but to meet with important people in these institutions was mind blowing!

There was great expectation, interest and pride in our partner communities to see their young people go to Europe, participate in this Tour as an amazing adventure. They can be themselves and share their daily culture with so many others as they journey through Europe. At all venues, meetings discussions with UN, EU, Council of Europe, ACP, ECOWAS, WCC our very large Roll-Up banner was proclaiming our aims and objectives with the Youth in Action Logo very prominently displayed.

Apart from the Visa problem with the Cap Verde participant, all other aspects of the organisation and management went according to plan. This e.p.a. project ‘Explore-ExplainCampaign-Tour’ had been prepared by the e.p.a and started to gather publicity for the past three years. This Project is 21

policies that affect their society and their external cooperating partners, mechanisms were among some of those exceptional examples to mention. Our meeting in Strasbourg with Carlos and Jan the young parliamentarian in Brussels, and the tours and virtual presentations of the Council of Europe and European parliaments brought to life my personal vigour as a young person, who’s focus is pointed always to looking beyond development cooperation only in the context of policies and politics at the high level, but also as an individual commitment, that pushes for a gradual transformation of societies. I remember what [MEP] Jan said: “The wrong thing about been involve is when young people are involved just for involvement sake, rather than on the impact that you can make individually”. Thomas, Monrovia

Participants Comments This campaign is unique cause it employs the use of non formal education and in my opinion is the most effective way to pass on informations that tend to have lasting effects on people and the things they do. Patrick, Monrovia

I learnt a lot about politics in Europe and about where our project could fit. It was also very important for me to see the importance of knowing the work that is done and that we do not see. It could be compared to our vision of the Moon, we might see a half Moon little in the big open sky, but we know that it is rounded and huge. Now I think each of us in the project can see the "Moon" of Europe as it really is. Marisa, Málaga

Con el encuentro y al logro de sus objetivos las autoridades europeas han contribuido con sus recursos económicos, con el apoyo en la gestión de las citas, con la disponibilidad para recibirnos, con facilitar espacios con el centro de jóvenes de Strasburgo, con dar información y orientación para poder presentar nuestra iniciativa. To the Exchange and its objectives the European entities contributed economic resources, supported regarding our appointments, showed willingness to receive us, made spaces like the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg available, gave us information and orientation in order to present our initiative. Miguel Angel, Cartagena

Looking back on the journey so far as learner interested in development policy research, better leadership and global cooperation, I have been immensely inspired, given the fact that our campaign did not only focus on exploring avenues for possibility of funding, but also had provided an opportunity for me to interact, learn and exchange concerns of matter that would have forever remained in obscurity. Understanding more of the structure, differences of the European institutions, and their interrelationships in terms of 22

As a student of European Studies I had already read a lot about the institutions we got to know during our tour. But to see them from the inside and to be able to talk to so many people working there has enriched my knowledge and also changed my way of looking at these institutions. Regarding my future professional field, this project especially drew my attention to the Council of Europe and its wonderful and inspiring Youth Foundation. Marja, Hamburg

Me trouxe vontade e desejo de continuar com minha vida, pois antes de participar não tinha expectativas de vida. agora tenho um desejo e força de vontade de crescimento que me ilumina enquanto pessoa. me fazendo transparecer energia e alegria constante. It gave me the will and desire to carry on with my life, as before participating I had no expectations. Now I have a desire and the willpower for growth that enlightens me as a person, making me emit energy and constant joy. Edlane, Recife

Aprendir que cooperação e ação andam juntos. Que empoderamento juvenil é além de tudo saber ousar e estar sempre disposto a aprender e partilhar as experiencias adquiridas. E ter maturidade suficiente para enfrentar os conflitos, aprender com erros e superar os obstaculos. I learned that cooperation and action come along with each other. That youth empowerment first of all means to dare and always be willing to learn and share acquired experiences. And to be mature enough to deal with conflicts, learn from mistakes and overcome obstacles. Elizabeth, Recife

I've learned that nothing will come easy, and that can be put into any aspect of life, with my education, finding work and even starting a life properly. Before this experience I considered myself to be quite open minded about life, but in fact there is so much more to the world than i could have ever realised. Warren, Liverpool

O projeto da Mobilidade para Todos que estamos a desenvolver, vai ser um projeto que trará muitas alegrias a jovens e comunidades. Acreditamos e vamos lutar para que este projeto seja uma realidade. The project Mobility for All that we are developing will be a project that will bring much joy to young people and communities. We believe and we will fight to make this project a reality. Bruno, Lisbon

I had previous conceptions about a lot of people from different cultures, but coming on this campaign has thrown them all out the water. I have learnt people from totally different countries and cultures all share similarities as there are great, genuine people all over world! Liam, Liverpool 23