NOORTEVAHETUS
Name of the project: More Bridges, Less Walls Youth Exchange
Date: 23rd until 31st August 2021
City/Country: Faenza, Italy
What was the main topic of the event?
Carmen Toomet – Life of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Crissondra-Lisette Galindons – The refugee crisis and the Middle East
Natalie Li Lind – Refugee crisis
Birke Vahesaar – main topic was to promote European values, awareness on other cultures and mutual understanding and respect, presenting and focusing on the Middle East and the refugees crisis.
Berta Valdma – Raise awareness around the issue of the refugee’s crisis and how the migrations affected the nowadays policy making and decisions all around Europe, and not only; Fight against prejudice and xenophobia. Improve key competences and skills, support recognition of non-formal learning.
What was the biggest learning moments on the event for you?
Carmen Toomet – I think as a citizen of a country that has very little experience with refugees and asylum seekers, I basically started from level 0. So, I think the strongest basement knowledge I gained, was the difference between these groups, the reasons why they move, and the routes where they come to Europe.
Crissondra-Lisette Galindons – My biggest learning moment was when all the participants started to share their personal stories and struggles that their friends or just acquaintances of theirs had to go through. It opened my eyes and made me want to do my best to help solve the problem.
Natalie Li Lind – I really liked learning about the routes, that different people take to find better lives.
Birke Vahesaar – The biggest learning point was that Estonians know very little about refugee problems compared to Italian, Greek and Spanish people. For example, in Spanish schools there are less than half of local students and the rest of the students are from other countries
Berta Valdma – To hear about refugees’ stories.
Do you have any plans to continue active in the field? If yes, what?
Carmen Toomet – For me, the easiest way to be active in this field is to support migrants. They are more active and visible in my everyday life – working in companies that I work with, we see them in the restaurants, performing on the stage, and so on. Asylum seekers and refugees are more invisible in Estonia, but still, I will step up if it’s needed to take care of them.
Crissondra-Lisette Galindons – I will try to help raise awareness on the problems that the world is facing, and I would also like to do some volunteer work.
Natalie Li Lind – Human rights issues interest me and I hope to work in the field as a lawyer.
Birke Vahesaar – I would definitely like to become a participant during summer but I think unfortunately I would not participate in the role of organizer
Berta Valdma – Yes, i am actively raising my awareness about refugees’ crises.
Would you recommend it to your friends? I yes, why? If not, why not?
Carmen Toomet – Absolutely – firstly, I’m sure that the more people learn about that topic, for example, the more safety would reign in Estonia about foreigners. That would mean that we accept more likely people from different backgrounds. Also, if we whine so much about high taxes, then it would be a shame not to use them 😉
Crissondra-Lisette Galindons – I absolutely would recommend it! This project broadened my horizons a lot and I made some very valuable connections.
Natalie Li Lind – 100% would, I got to know so many people and made deep connections with them. I feel like have friends across Europe now. In addition, I learned more about a topic I’m interested in.
Birke Vahesaar – I would recommend the program only to friends who are seriously interested in the topic and who are brave and ready to express their opinion. otherwise, if you are not active, the program would not provide so good experience
Berta Valdma – Of course, every international experience is a way to improve team work and language skills. Also, it is a great way to travel and make new friends.
More comments or anything else you would like to share? You can add here in your own language, if you want!
Carmen Toomet – Aitäh selle võimaluse eest – oli imetore!
Natalie Li Lind – I can’t wait to take part in other Erasmus+ projects, the time I spent in Italy was really life-changing for me. If you find a project about a topic, that interests you, then don’t hesitate – just fill the application form and send it.
This Project was financed by European Commission’s Erasmus + Programme