KOOLITUS
Name of the project: “BRAVE II: Breaking Gender Barriers Through Youth Work” Training Course
Date: 15th – 23rd August 2023
City/Country: Cologne, Germany
What was the main topic of the project?
Norman Vester – Gender and equality between different genders.
Sandra Laur – Raising awareness of Youth Workers/leaders in recognising various gender perspectives across the EU.
Marija Podoinikova – Gender Barriers.
Anna Solovjova – Humans rights.
What were the biggest learning moments of the event for you?
Norman Vester –That there are more than two genders.
Sandra Laur – The biggest learning moment for me at the seminar was grasping the importance of being aware of unconscious biases we may hold related to gender. Through the seminar discussions and activities, I realized how societal conditioning can instill certain preconceived notions about gender roles and attributes without us even realizing it. These implicit biases can then influence how we interact with, advise, and evaluate young people if we do not actively identify and mitigate them. I found the seminar incredibly eye-opening in highlighting how making assumptions based on gender, even subtly, can be detrimental.
Marija Podoinikova – We are all truly different, and even people from completely different cultures can be closer spiritually.
Anna Solovjova – I learned a lot of new organizations that fight for women’s rights.
Do you have any plans to continue being active in the field? If yes, in which way?
Norman Vester –Of course, mainly being more inclusive and understanding different views in my work.
Sandra Laur – Yes, I am eager to continue being active in the field of youth work and making a positive impact on young people’s lives.I plan to continue educating myself through training seminars, conferences, and courses related to emerging best practices in youth development, psychology, counseling, and education. Staying up-to-date on the latest knowledge will allow me to be an effective youth advocate.
Marija Podoinikova – I’m a youth worker, of course i have plans to continue being active in the field.
Anna Solovjova – I would like to pass on the knowledge gained from the project in my projects in my city and country.
Would you recommend this experience to your friends? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Norman Vester –Yes! Very eye opening and liberal for a conservative/traditional person. For a very liberal person it would be a bit dull.
Sandra Laur – Yes, I would absolutely recommend this youth work seminar experience to my friends. It offered an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about empowering young people from diverse backgrounds. The connections formed will be professionally and personally enriching.
Marija Podoinikova – Yes, it was fun, entertaining and educational.
Anna Solovjova – I would recommend it because the seminar program combines time for study and relaxation. The programs also help you learn complex things very quickly.
