Potsdam, 02.11.2015 — Will we manage the lift-off towards a common European future? On Monday, representatives from science and politics met with youths and international youth work professionals at the Brandenburg State Parliament. At the one-day event they discussed the chances and challenges of good international youth projects. International youth work does not just support the young participants and improves the situation at the location. It also helps in overcoming boundaries in the minds of those involved.
Other symposiums are often adult-exclusive. However, this Monday, those concerned could also participate: Youths, who realise European workcamp projects within the framework of the support programmes ewoca³ and ewoca³(+), presented their work — and started a conversation with those responsible for the political, pedagogical and financial conditions.
“International youth work can make an important contribution towards understanding between countries, religions and cultures„, said Caren Marks, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. “It is an educational opportunity especially well suited to prepare young people for new challenges and to strengthen their cultural, intercultural, social and democratic competences. Learning experiences abroad are seen as a huge gain by young people. In hard times, they can positively influence life journeys. The ewoca³ programme format is a good example.„ Earlier, Prof. Dr. Andreas Thimmel, of Technische Hochschule Köln, already made clear that international youth work can also play an important role in integrating refugees into Germany as an international society shaped by migration.
The Regional Youth Council Brandenburg and the International Association for Education and Exchange (IBB e.V.). The association with headquarters in Dortmund organises the support programmes ewoca³ and ewoca³(+). Within this framework, from 2015 to 2017 youth work organisations from 17 different European countries will realise a total of 45 international youth projects. “The commitment shown in these projects gives me courage„, said IBB e.V. chairman Matthias C. Tümpel. “In a time with, once again, war in Europe, and where some question the European idea as a whole, this is more important than ever. Federal and State Governments are equally tasked with giving such opportunities to greater numbers of youths.„
“International encounters are places of learning for intercultural communication, for understanding, for reconciliation and peace„, said Sara Bonin, board member at the Regional Youth Council Brandenburg. “Following the professional exchanges today, I am hopeful that politics and administration is ready to face this responsibility.„