Berdyansk, 5-19.09.2007

By Michail Eremeyev

The aim of the workcamp “Strong-Equal” was to discuss with different youth groups problems of gender equality and gender policy in Ukraine and abroad, reasons for discrimination and future perspectives. “Peer to peer” principle was used in the activities.

The project took place in Berdyansk on the Azov sea during so called “velvet season” (beginning of autumn when the weather on the sea-side is not as hot as in summer, and the beaches are not as crowded). Azov sea is also the warmest sea in the world.

One of the main elements were meetings with young people and intercultural evenings. Due to them we learnt about life realities, traditions from the countries of participants (6 international participants from Ireland, Japan, Poland, USA and 2 campleaders from Ukraine). We made new friends, saw interesting places, worked together – and all this under the sauce of dormitory lifestyle (as we lived in students’ dormitory), and also trying available entertainments in Berdyansk.

Our work included preparation with participants to gender equality workshops, studying available materials and planning together. We had meetings in city administration for teachers and schoolchildren, for this we have prepared slide presentation about our countries. We also had meetings at schools with schoolchildren.

Berdyansk offered many possibilities for free-time, and some schoolchildren joined us in the evenings. Last day we had a great barbeque on the beach. The group atmosphere was good, and some minor conflicts and misunderstandings were successfully solved among ourselves.