Jugendcamp Altenmarkt 2006: Programm

Organizer: Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture
Organisation: STA-Travel, KulturKontakt Austria
venue: »Ennstalerhof«, 5541 Altenmarkt, Austria, Tel: +43/6452/4870

teamer:
Lydia Blodgett, Austria (head of teamers)
Paul Merdzo, Austria
Karoline Schober, Austria
Véronique Schons, Luxemburg

Theme: »Spirit of Partnership in a plural Europe«
Participants: 23
Timeline: August 19–25, 2006
Age: 16–22 years

GENERAL POINTS:

23 youngsters from 11 different European Countries have been invited in their position as prize-winners of the Europe-wide competition »Europe at School« to the Youth Gathering in Altenmarkt.

Participants 2006 came from: Austria (5), Bulgaria (2), Croatia (2), Cypress (2) Germany (1), Hungary (2), Italy (2), Poland (2), Slovakia (2), Slovenia (1), Serbia (2).

The main objective of the gathering is that the youngsters can exchange their ideas and experiences, to enable them to develop a sense of togetherness in the group, to recover differences and common aspects, to experience intercultural learning, to work together and discuss the topic of the gathering and not at least to get a bit familiar with the hosting country and to have a lot of fun!
The realisation of all these aspects is done via activities and workshops in small groups, via talks and discussions in the plenum and via excursions and (short) trips.

Working language is English, nearly all participants have enough knowledge – most times all participants get over a bit of initial shyness within a few days.

In Summer 2006 the partition between boys and girls was for the first time for years not so inhomogeneous than the years before: 7 boys and 16 girls came to Altenmarkt, what effects positive on the group-dynamic.

WORKSHOPS:

2006 the following workshops had been offered:

Living Art

(Véronique Schons, 8 participants)
Method / Material: Body language, drama, music, light
Aims / Realisation: The workshop involves looking beyond surface actions to the values which underlie them, and provides a context for exploration of cultural values, both one's own and other people's. Living Art works by revealing complexities through simplification. Freezing a moment in time, slowing the action down, repeating actions with different foci. Concentrating on body-language with no worries about language knowledge, defining common values, fears and dreams of European citizens, cooperating and working towards a common performance aims is enhancing understanding of cultural differences as well as developing social competences of participants.

United in Diversity

(Paul Merdzo, 7 participants)
Method / Material: Lecture and discussion
Aims / Realisation: Getting the participants a deeper idea about the (desired?) differences and (necessary?) similarities in Europe. The main issues addressed: The concept of culture – intercultural differences – stereotypes, prejudices, discrimination – ethnocentrism versus ethnorelativism – shared basic values (e.g. human rights, etc.). The participants had greatest possible freedom to find their own concept, the only rule was that all group-decisions had to be done by consensus. The output of their work was a short play about the importance of cultural diversity, knowing that only co-operation makes it possible to use all the different advantages, cover all the shortcomings.

Noise U up

(Karoline Schober, 7 participants)
Method/Material: voice, instruments from the kitchen, »body music«
Aims / Realisation: Getting a group of young people with their different music styles performing « to the Youth Gathering in Altenmarkt.

Participants 2006 came from: Austria (5), Bulgaria (2), Croatia (2), Cypress (2) Germany (1), Hungary (2), Italy (2), Poland (2), Slovakia (2), Slovenia (1), Serbia (2).

The main objective of the gathering is that the youngsters can exchange their ideas and experiences, to enable them to develop a sense of togetherness in the group, to recover differences and common aspects, to experience intercultural learning, to work together and discuss the topic of the gathering and not at least to get a bit familiar with the hosting country and to have a lot of fun!
The realisation of all these aspects is done via activities and workshops in small groups, via talks and discussions in the plenum and via excursions and (short) trips.

Working language is English, nearly all participants have enough knowledge – most times all participants get over a bit of initial shyness within a few days.

In Summer 2006 the partition between boys and girls was for the first time for years not so inhomogeneous than the years before: 7 boys and 16 girls came to Altenmarkt, what effects positive on the group-dynamic.

PROGRAMM

SATURDAY 19/8 Arrival of participants
General orientation walk to discover the surroundings of the
youth residence
Warm up activities
Dinner
  • Evening: «Welcome cocktail»
  • Introduction of participants and the team
  • Games to get acquainted
SUNDAY 20/8 Breakfast
Introduction to the topic of the gathering
Lunch
Working on the topic of the gathering
preparation of the European Evening
(participants will make a short presentation of their home
country)
Dinner
Welcome Address by Gabriele Bauer, KulturKontakt Austria
MONDAY 21/8 Breakfast
«Excursion Day»
Morning: Coach excursion to the salt mine in Hallein
(packed lunch will be provided)
Afternoon: continue to the city of Salzburg (possibility to
visit Mozart's birthplace, the fortress and to stroll through the city center)
Meeting with representatives of the Landes-Europabüro (Europe-Office of Salzburg)
Dinner in a restaurant
Travel back to Altenmarkt
TUESDAY 22/8 Breakfast
«Workshop Day»
Introduction to the workshop and working the whole day on
the topic of the gathering
Lunch
Dinner
WEDNESDAY 23/8 Breakfast
Morning free
Lunch
Workshops in small working groups
Dinner: Barbecue at the youth residence
THURSDAY 24/8 Breakfast
Morning: Coach excursion to Jaegersee, Liechtensteinklamm
Lunch
Workshops in small working groups
Evening: presentation of the workshops
FAREWELL PARTY!
FRIDAY 25/8 Breakfast
Departure of the participants

TEAMER – STATEMENTS

In my eyes the week was a big success, the participants were just great! Like the years before I was deeply impressed by the spirit of Europe that takes control of the gathering after only one ore two days. At the last evening we watched the participants writing little statements on their »Altenmarkt-T-Shirts«. It is hard to believe that after only a few days a group of individuals become friends.

My expectations had been exceeded at all! The idea of getting together young people from all over Europe makes that project that special. Working together with the other teamers was great; also with the people from Ennstalerhof. As the participants are »young adults« a teamer does not have the role of nursery or kinder garden teacher. I saw our work in helping them to get to know each other (group games), presenting a program (excursions, activities,...) and make sure that everyone has the possibility to enjoy the gathering at the best (doing the best to support them; sorrows, health, realising their ideas,...). The group was great: open minded youngsters who are interested in communication. Group dynamic was fantastic the whole week. For me it was great to see that mixture of young people forming a group, by working together, exchanging their feelings, attitudes and experiences and of course having fun together!

The »Europe at School« gatherings offer a singular possibility for young folks to let Europe grow together at its very basic. During these days the youth get an approach to their home-continent which is in its diversity and plurality (unfortunately!) singular and they will take their experiences and what they've learned during theses days back home and share with others.
During the gatherings in Altenmarkt I sometimes get an idea of Europe and how it could be, and it's a great honour for me and gives me pleasure being part of this new Europe!


See you in Altenmarkt!


 

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