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Background of idea: Youth exchanges are one of the main, most demanded actions supported by “Erasmus+: youth in action” programme. Intercultural learning of young people is one of the main educational aspects within youth exchanges. Quality of intercultural learning process very much depends on the certain set of competencies group leaders should posses.
However, very often we notice, that in “real” intercultural learning of young people isn’t supported and facilitated by group leaders, because of lack of the competencies. Very often intercultural learning is limited by presentations of participating cultures to each other, tasting national foods, drinks, playing games, singing songs…. Basically everything what you can see on “travel channel”… no need to organize a youth exchange… These recommendations are an result of international training course: “Real Intercultural Learning in Youth Exchanges”, which was implemented on the 8-18th of July, 2016 in Lithuania implemented by NGO “Self-Fish”. The recommendations were developed by participants from: Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Croatia, Slovakia.
Aim of the training course:
To reflect, explore and learn more about the topic of intercultural learning in European youth work, particularly during youth exchanges supported by the Erasmus+ programme.
Objectives of the training course:
→ To reflect critically about personal and cultural identity → To better understand concepts which related to of the themes/topics of intercultural learning
(stereotyping, prejudice, inclusion and exclusion etc.) → To gain a greater understanding of cultural diversity in different local and national realities → To develop intercultural competences related to working with topic of diversity → To explore the qualities needed by young people to deal with diversity and intercultural encounters in everyday life, and how to encourage these → Explore the youth exchanges as a tool for improvement of intercultural competence of young people → To get inspired to carry out future international youth projects through Erasmus+ programme on the topics related to Cultural Diversity / Intercultural learning → To develop competence of working with group dynamics and using it as a tool for quality intercultural learning among young people → To develop methodological competence of using various non-formal education tools for supporting intercultural learning processes during international youth exchanges. → To develop ability of a group leader to encourage and promote intercultural learning processes as a key factor for implementation of high quality youth exchanges.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this publication, conclusions and recommendations do
not necessarily coincide with the position of the European Commission, Erasmus + programme and Agency of International Youth Cooperation
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FOR GROUP LEADERS / YOUTH WORKERS Quality standard on tackling challenge-full situations and intercultural aspects within youth exchanges under the EU programme Erasmus+: youth in action.
Reflecting on relations within group
Make sure that participants are reflecting on interpersonal relations within the group. All participants are expressing their feeling within the group. Group is capable to notice inner tensions/conflicts and deal with them in a constructive way.
Adapting programme
Adapting the youth exchange programme according to situation within group. Example: if you have a conflict, you are dealing with it and not blindly following the planned programme.
Active participation of young people
You are supporting initiative and decisions of participants, by this you create a unique learning experience.
Everyday meetings with group leaders
You have constant (everyday) meetings with all group leaders, where you reflect on: • How do you feel?
• Process of the day (what happened today and how each group leaders perceives it)
• Interpersonal relations within the participants group. Who is mingling with whom? How much members from different cultures interact with each other? • What is your plan and vision for tomorrow? Anything to adapt?
Dealing with diversity within group leaders team
During group leaders’ meetings agree on what you agree and agree on what you disagree. Value diversity within your team and reach for common agreements, where all group leaders are involved in decisionmaking.
Confronting with stereotypes and prejudices
It’s fun to judge and laugh from cultural differences. Young people do express their stereotypes and prejudices it can be a great learning experience. Be conscious and observe situations like this (during formal and non-formal time). Constructively share your observations with the group, reflect with participants on existing stereotypes and prejudices.
Reflection for greater learning
Youth exchange is a learning process. Young people are diving into a lot of new, unique experiences. Make sure that you organize and guide participants through the process of reflection. Use various methods and forms for reflection. Help participants to name concrete learning outcomes.
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Intercultural event (ICE) tips
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NICE ice baby Time management Be aware of the time limits. RESPECT your own and the group’s time.
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Awareness of the culture Represent the culture from own perspective. Give participants the possibility to experience the uniqueness and diversity of the culture. Be aware that culture consists of more than historical and geographical facts.
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For example: Think about values of your culture. What are the attitudes towards specific aspects of life and why it is like this?
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For example: use the simulation method to experience other culture’s perspectives and reasons for behaviour. Learning by doing.
Less is more (лес=море) Think about the amount and the quality of information to share about the culture. Choose few aspects/elements of the culture that you are confident and competent in presenting.
Cultural > intercultural Try to understand cultures through interaction. Implement intercultural learning through the whole project, including informal time.
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Acceptance Respect and be curious about other cultures. Accept differences and embrace similarities. It’s not a competition :)
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For example: in intercultural event try to create new/original methods of presenting the culture. In informal time during the conversation try to find out the ‘bottom of the iceberg’ – explore the reasons behind other culture’s practices/phenomenon.
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Creativity Find out and use new ways of presenting the culture.
Interaction Reflect and respond on group’s feelings/expectations/questions. Be flexible. For example: if prepared method or activity is not working for the group, be open to change it.
Critical thinking Be willing to accept and give constructive criticism, like it is coming with a friendly intention. “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing” © Aristotle
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Methods supporting intercultural learning with international youth exchanges
1. TEAM BUILDING GAMES
Deconstructing the “country” groups, developing trust on the international level.
2. IC EVENINGS
Meeting & knowing new culture trough presentation, food & drink tasting, learning trough different media use
3. SIMULATION
Developing awareness, ability to see another’s culture perspective, to respect other cultures, different ways of expressions, excepting differences, learning of tolerance/acceptance.
4. ENERGIZERS and ICE-BREAKING GAMES Boosting the playful atmosphere within the group.
Making the non-formal environment, decreasing the groups tension.
5. ROLEPLAY
Developing participants’ empathy (social reasoning)
6. USING DIGITAL FACILITIES & MEDIA 7. ARTS & CRAFTS
Developing creativity, personal expression, expressing the culture trough the art, using countries traditional art to express yourself.
8. DEBATES
Learning about different cultures in a situation that confronts opposing viewpoints.
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Tips for group leader in youth exchanges for better support of non-formal learning and intercultural learning
1. Person to person talking – talking to participants one on one
2. Approaching people – taking the first step in initiating communication
3. Facilitating the reflection – helping and leading the discussion, asking the hard yet necessary questions
4. Running the workshop or activities in general (with the group) –
1) Helping the group in creating and holding workshops 2) Holding workshops as a group leader to have the feeling of being a “real” youth leader
5. Giving feedback to organizers and other group leaders – voicing the opinions and needs of participants
6. Meeting before youth exchanges – organize a meeting between the whole group to get to
know each other
7. Preparation to avoid cultural shock – talk about the specific conditions and traits of the culture you are visiting
8. Motivate participants to listen actively and be there and show up – reacting to the needs, active listening
9. Making rules list – together with the participants creating a consensus on common rules within intercultural group
10. Reality check – helping participants to understand they are not “at home” and what does it mean to live in a “different reality”. Helping participants to reflect on how they adapt to the living conditions and cultural differences
11. Share photos and materials – sending positive messages and images on social media to
the rest of the group
12. Be a role model – lead by example, talk the talk and walk the walk
13. Challenges (not spending time only with national group) – challenge yourself to be better and more open
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What helps when meeting different people in international youth exchange
1. Awareness of your culture and the culture of other participants – theoretical preparation prior to the youth exchange.
2. Get to know each other
• Games, icebreakers (focusing on similarities of the people (personal and national).
3. How would you describe your own culture? • Role-plays • Reflection on your own culture
4. Theory about communication: representing the communication tools or how communication works in personal and group discussions.
5. Identifying personal obstacles in communication with new people. How would you like to be approached?
6. Learning from each other: find a person who can teach you something you would like to learn. person according to his/her Facebook profile: before getting to know other participants 7. Describe well, later on person elaborates what is true and what is not.
8. Expectations towards the communication aspect in the group (personal and common). Creating a vision towards the group connections for the YE.
9. Encourage participants to talk and work with people you haven’t talked yet. 10. Creating a Facebook group and encourage people to use it. 11. Identifying your personality (creative task). What makes you be you? 12. Feedback: theory on giving constructive feedback to each other and practice. 13. Reflection on communication inside the group: what is good and what you would like to be
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changed? How it can be changed?
What unites us as different nations? (history, traditions, food, language, values, political statements, etc.)
15. How to be part of a discussion: theory on how group discussion happens? 16. Role-play discussion: what roles can different people have in a group during a discussion, distributing the roles and acting according to them, reflection.
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