       |
| NewsActivity PlanDonorsPMT's PortraitsPhotogalleryForumnewTraining coursesLinksContact Site map |
 |
Youth Transcending New Frontiers |
|||||
|
Interview with PMT members During the EurIdea festival 2007 in Wernsdorf several PMT members from Moldova, Belarus, Russia and Ukraine were interviewed about their involvement in the project, how they see themselves developing and about the future of cooperation. The lines below reveal us what YTNF is for its volunteers. Anna Novgorodova, Ukraine
 "I think it means exploring new things on a local and international level, trying one’s best to create innovative projects that would make any kind of positive change in the space surrounding me. I’m a member of a PMT on antiracism and this year we made Dobre Razom which involved working with children at schools, talking to people in the streets (usually foreign students) about racism issues, meeting NGO representatives and so on. And, of course, trying to organize volunteers of the project to work hard and efficiently, to look after them I also participated in a few trainings organized in the framework of YTNF, which were an interesting experience. It’s very interesting to explore yourself, to see yourself doing things you thought you’d never do. For example, working at school was a great experience for me, I never thought I might like it, but I really did. All in all to me personally YTNF has brought a bit more confidence in the matter of public speaking and leading a group. If we talk about my look on social issues I think I’ve learned things I never knew, saw different sides of people’s lives and cultures. I also got a lot of new knowledge, that I’m not sure how I will use in future. Looking into the future I can think of trying to work together. It’s a pity that we only have one year left, and we could have achieved more if we were involved 24/7 but everyone has a lot to do and there’s not much time left for volunteering. For me personally I would like to try to be more focused on the project. I really hope in the end we can look back and see that we really achieved something, even in a small way but made a change." Andrei Iovu, Moldova  For me, YTNF is a good opportunity to know different kind of people from different countries. For this reason, the project that I run for YTNF, represents the work of big team of volunteers who try to fight the stereotypes of modern society. For me, YTNF represents my personal work in the way of construction of better society and to solve some civic problems. I work in the branch “Xenophobia and racism”. I organize the seminars for the volunteers and I run a project which tries to stop this problem in Moldavian society. The project has changed the perception of some problems. For example, since when I work for this project, I became more tolerant and I fight with stereotypes. In the future, I want to work in some international organization. The YTNF project represents a real school of life for me, because it teaches me how to be more tolerant, how to have a positive perception of life; and YTNF represents also an opportunity to communicate with people. Tujana Gadyanova, Nadezda Toronova, Anna Balabanova, Russia  First of all broadening borders between cultures, when you can share ideas and thoughts without obstacles. Free communication with each other, without any prejudices, what means unity of thoughts, goals, relationships. When people understand you with half-word and are glad to hear your ideas, your experience. And of course getting to know new people, culture of other countries. It all has started when our coordinator told us about this project, we were interested because it is a perfect opportunity to gain new experience. First experience of participation I still remember very well. It was a festival in Kiev, EurIdea 2006. Then other projects came – workcamps in Germany, trainings and seminars, festivals and other events, afterwards we organized a number of events in our republic. This is how we were involved in this project. Of course, there can be no other answer. I have a feeling that before this project all I knew about such things as xenophobia, anti-racism and so on was somehow undeveloped, narrow. Now I can say that my perception became broader, I think differently, like wider. Naturally, because I communicate with different people in the project, learn a lot of new, this way some borders are erased, you start thinking wider, you change attitude, even in private life. About many important things, or absolutes I think wider, without any prejudices. Thanks to the project for the good things done Thanks to the project I do many things with great ease. Of course all these knowledge and skills are being gained since the very beginning of the project. And there is a full truck of inspirations. You feel a great support at all events organized in the project framework, and you are being charged with some good energy from these people It is a great pity that the project will come to an end. But despite this, would be good that the project continues with same spirit. More developments in trainings are desirable. That there are more trainers of high level. I want that project becomes more representative for all categories of society. Also it is important that this project has the financial support of sponsors, because we have a lot of ideas, but we don’t have money to realize ours ideas in life. Masha Stsiapanava, Belarus  For me YTNF is possibility to self realisation and, of course, transcending new frontiers. YTNF shows me how I can use my young energy and free time. I was a participant of project of NG-SCI Belarus before YTNF. And then, after this project leader of this organization propose me to participate to YTNF. When I knew about this project, I was real surprised that I may be at YTNF volunteer. Of course YTNF changed my outlook and impacted on my life. My family and my friends changed their opinion about me. Now they really see that I am a volunteer. It is important for me. Also, YTNF gave me confidence in myself and showed my real strength and energy. I understood that society needs me and that I am able to do something useful for people. I felt support from the other people and it encouraged me to participate. YTNF taught me to use my opportunities and strength in the proper way. I value time more. Also with help of YTNF I saw young people who are not afraid to show express themselves and fully give themselves to the thing they like. In the future I want to see YTNF flourish and active in many countries, not only where it is working now, because it is important for all – to feel needed and capable.
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. Details...
Author: Julia Myasyshcheva Published at: 05.11.2007
By Masha Servetnik and Anya Mazurchuk
What, when – Paraskoveyevka special boarding school, Paraskoveyevka village, Donetsk region, Ukraine
13-24 August 2007
Who – Masha Servetnik, Anya Mazurchuk – Ukraine, campleaders
Elisa Webber, Italy
Alzebeta Chelmarova, Czech Republic
Sien Gelders, Belgium
Work – wallpapering, painting, helping with reconstruction of school, cleaning, collecting pears and apples, helping in the kitchen. We worked 4 hours a day. Every time when there was no work for us we were trying to find something.
Food/accommodation – everything was provided by local partners. We had a room for living, but during 4 days the room was without electricity. We were provided with everything we needed. Details...
Author: Julia Myasyshcheva Published at: 05.11.2007
News ArchieveAll News |
