TC"INTER - MEDIATE - Training course on intercultural social mediation" - 11-18 December 2
Association "Alternativi International" is looking for 2 motivated Bulgarian participants to take part in a TC in Worcester, UK!
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Social change has always been a process provoking tensions and clashes of interest. Introducing new cultures, combating exclusion of marginalised groups, supporting communication and cooperation of sides that for a long time were not willing to approach each other with respect and openness – all those issues are just steps in a long and challenging process of changing society and making it a comfortable and inclusive place for all people willing to be a part of it. This process, however, is not always quiet and peaceful, but often goes through severe conflicts and disputes. It requires a great deal of skills and competence to facilitate those conflicts and help the parties reach a solution that will lead them to the direction of dialogue, not confrontation.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
The aim of ‘Inter-Mediate – training course on intercultural social mediation’ is to equip 35 youth
workers and representatives of third sector from 12 countries ( The United Kingdom, Austria, Portugal, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Poland) with tools necessary for successful facilitation of conflicts arising on cultural, religious, political, or identityrelated backgrounds.
During 7 days of training they will have an opportunity to learn how to use mediation and negotiation – methods efficiently used in international business relations – in order to support communication
process and resolve disputes arising between conflicted groups. It is already proven on an international and national business level that mediation is the most efficient tool for bringing hostile parties together and supporting them in finding common grounds and interests. Participants will learn how to identify various types of conflicts (conflict of values, generations, structures, relations, access to information etc.) arising on multicultural background and will explore different methods of resolving them. The training will be focused on practice and simulations in order to provide the best learning environment and to enable participants to experience different conflicts that can arise in their daily work. Youth workers will be challenged to both act as mediators and to experience the attitudes and emotions of conflicted sides. Simulations will be based on real-life conflicts that are currently present in Europe in order to find solutions and recommendations that can be later implemented in other countries and environments.
The training course will serve as a first step for young workers willing to act as youth leaders, social
mediators in their society; in local or international disputes and who are seeking to practice their
communication and in general ‘soft’ skills to become more self-confident and skillful in terms of
assisting and supporting others in their communication issues and disputes.
The objectives of the planned activity – training course – are similar to the objectives of the entire
project as the training course will serve to develop the competences, skills and attitudes that are the
main objectives of the project. In particular, participation in the training course will serve to:
underpin the importance of decoding signs present in different cultures’;
practice different communication styles;
learn about origins of different types of conflicts and possible methods of solving them;
promote and explain Alternative Dispute Resolutions;
improve in practice skills relevant to effective negotiation and mediation, with special focus on
Social Mediation;
promote active participation of youth in civil society;
create a field for further cooperation and development of new projects
The objectives of the training are also connected with general improvement of cultural sensitivity of
the participants and empowering them to act as active representatives of their local communities,
conflict facilitators and mediators.
METHODOLOGY:
During the training course we will focus on teaching advanced techniques in multicultural communication. Participants will therefore have a chance to learn about various meanings of sings in different cultures and environments and the importance of decoding them. They will learn how to identify various types of conflicts (conflict of values, generations, structures, relations, access to information etc.) arising on that background and will explore different methods of resolving them. During all the sessions participants will be working on developing different negotiating styles and strategies and deepening the knowledge about Alternative Dispute Resolutions The whole training will have a form of a field game simulating a real-life scenario of a conflict taking place in imaginary land of Atlantis. The participants will represent different parties to the dispute and through the series of workshops and lectures learn how to approach and resolve it. They will develop both theoretical (such as strategic planning) and practical skills (i.e. public speaking, conducting a successful mediation, negotiating in extreme conditions). The scenario will be a chance for the participants to learn and practice different communication strategies (one-on-one, multilateral, during assemblies) with accordance to decision making procedures in their communities, countries and European Union. They will also be challenged to resolve contemporary issues that are present in European policy to demonstrate the importance of thoughtful argumentation and understanding. During the whole game participants will be assisted by professionals in the field of negotiation and mediation. The participants will be also engaged into active learning procedure and will allow them to learn from their own experience and discuss their choices.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
As a result of ‘Inter-Mediate’ training course participants will have basic skills and competences necessary to serve as social mediators in their communities and through patience and joint effort to support and facilitate social change in intercultural environment. In a long-runt they will be able to contribute as facilitators in intercultural conflicts in Europe and abroad and to help relieve the tensions between immigrants and citizens of their host countries.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS:
The following project is financially supported by the ERASMUS+ KA1 grant. Hence, 100% of the food and accommodation expenses will be covered by the organisers, as well as up to 100% of the overall travel costs (please see the max. allowances per country listed below). Also, due to some extra resources required for the course, participation fee has been set as 50 EUR/participant which will be paid on spot in UK to receiving organziation.
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS:
All participants will be accommodated in basic triple rooms (single sex) at the Travelodge Hotel, situated in the very centre of Worcester. Please visit: http://www.travelodge.co.uk and check the photos of the hotel. Additionally, all meals will be provided at the hotel or other workshop venues,
depending on the daily programme.
The address of the hotel: Travelodge, Cathedral Plaza, 3 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2QS, United Kingdom
Maximum travel costs:
360 euros for participant from Bulgaria
If you are interested to participate in the project, please fill the application form below:
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING: 22 th November 2016!
