ABOUT THE PROJECT:
INNER PEACE
KA2 Capacity building in the field of youth
Project number: 101093483 — Inner Peace — ERASMUS-YOUTH-2022-CB
Conflicts around the globe have a detrimental influence on communities, political stability, the economy, the relationships between nations and people, and detrimental effects on an individual's mental health. Nonetheless, this is an area where youth organisations have significant capacity to intervene and offer support while highlighting the role of the rule of law and democracy. We are developing this project to increase the expertise of youth workers and help them not only become advocates of democracy and leaders in mental health support for people affected by conflicts, but also to increase their resilience and ability to deal with the struggles they face themselves. Mindfulness techniques empower individuals to be interested in and receptive to their experiences. Mindfulness-based therapies often emphasise helping people learn to accept and experience their negative feelings in a more positive way. Mindfulness empowers individuals to approach their ideas and emotions with more objectivity. The majority of youth work occurs without the stated goal of "working on" conflicts. This more "indirect" approach to conflict-related youth work is critical because it provides opportunities for young people to experience something different, an alternative to their conflict experience, and it provides safe environments for young people to relax, deal with new and other concerns, have new experiences in an entertaining manner, and reflect on matters that intrigue them in general. Youth work practice in connection to conflict is fairly similar to youth work practice in general. Nonetheless, it has certain unique traits that need the development of specialised skills and competencies on the part of people who participate in it. Inner Peace project aims to address those issues.
To support aims of the project "Inner Peace", project partners will conduct training courses for youth workers in Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and a final closing conference in Turkey.
Project Partners
Palestine - AlAqsa University Al-Alqsa University has extensive experience empowering NGOs via capacity development initiatives and university education. The university focuses a lot on scientific research that benefits communities, particularly Palestinians. Additionally, university faculty and staff are eager to provide students with chances to learn about different cultures, exchange history, and broaden their circle of connections.
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Jordan- Jordanian Youth Innovation ForumThis organisation specialises on peace-building and human rights advocacy. They organise activities that emphasise not just social and political issues, but also the need of mental health and mindful actions for social good via their events targeted at developing young leadership abilities, civic duty, and involvement.
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Lithuania - AY InstituteIt is a for-purpose organisation working with youth and communities in need in Lithuania and across borders. They have extensive experience in non-formal education, as well as a range of other topics. Most important among which: sustainability, social inclusion, mental health, healthy lifestyle, digital tools, human rights.
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Project Activities
Training in Jordan, Amman
Training Course “Post-conflict trauma and Mindfulness”
Training course took place in Jordan from 16-22nd June, 2023 and gathered 30 participants - youth workers from 6 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Lithuania and Sweden.
The mobility was centered around mindfulness and post-conflict trauma. Participants were asked to engage in a range of mindfulness workshops led by a Swedish trainer. Additionally, participants discussed the primary purpose and significance of mindfulness exercises, as well as the beneficial effects that they may have on an individual.
Participants had the chance to explore post-conflict trauma subjects with residents and conducted interviews, discussed their own experiences and thoughts about post-conflict trauma and how it manifested differently in various contexts. Finally, participants developed techniques for addressing the post-conflict traumas they had identified using mindfulness techniques.
The mobility also included cultural events and touristic visits.
Training course took place in Jordan from 16-22nd June, 2023 and gathered 30 participants - youth workers from 6 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Lithuania and Sweden.
The mobility was centered around mindfulness and post-conflict trauma. Participants were asked to engage in a range of mindfulness workshops led by a Swedish trainer. Additionally, participants discussed the primary purpose and significance of mindfulness exercises, as well as the beneficial effects that they may have on an individual.
Participants had the chance to explore post-conflict trauma subjects with residents and conducted interviews, discussed their own experiences and thoughts about post-conflict trauma and how it manifested differently in various contexts. Finally, participants developed techniques for addressing the post-conflict traumas they had identified using mindfulness techniques.
The mobility also included cultural events and touristic visits.
Training in Egypt, Siwa Oasis
Training Course “Conflict Resolution, Peace-building and Democracy”
Training course took place in Egypt from 9 to 13th November, 2023 and gathered 24 participants - youth workers from 5 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lithuania and Sweden.
The second mobility was devoted to conflict resolution, peace-building, and democracy. Participants considered the various conflict dynamics present in their unique situations, reflecting on the group's cultural diversity. They investigated beneficial methods, strategies, and models for conflict and war situations and developed a shared understanding of peace-building and peace education.
The outcomes of the preceding mobility were addressed and integrated into ongoing debates about conflict, peace-building, and democracy. The mobility included a debate on the rule of law and democracy, led by a Lithuanian trainer.
Additionally, youth workers participated in a mindfulness treatment prepared by a trainer from Sweden and engaged in cultural events and touristic visits.
Training course took place in Egypt from 9 to 13th November, 2023 and gathered 24 participants - youth workers from 5 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lithuania and Sweden.
The second mobility was devoted to conflict resolution, peace-building, and democracy. Participants considered the various conflict dynamics present in their unique situations, reflecting on the group's cultural diversity. They investigated beneficial methods, strategies, and models for conflict and war situations and developed a shared understanding of peace-building and peace education.
The outcomes of the preceding mobility were addressed and integrated into ongoing debates about conflict, peace-building, and democracy. The mobility included a debate on the rule of law and democracy, led by a Lithuanian trainer.
Additionally, youth workers participated in a mindfulness treatment prepared by a trainer from Sweden and engaged in cultural events and touristic visits.
Training in Egypt, Dahab
Training Course “Teamwork, Conflict Resolution and Digital Literacy”
Training course took place in Egypt from 14 to 20th February, 2024. Training gathered 36 participants - youth workers from 5 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lithuania, Palestine and Sweden.
The last mobility session focused on the following topics: teamwork, conflict resolution, and digital literacy. These very practical skills were deemed critical for constructing effective peace-building efforts.
Youth workers from partner organizations were invited to participate in a series of seminars on digital skills and social media management, a series of seminars on conflict management approaches and team-building exercises were conducted to teach YWs some effective ways of developing trust, resolving conflict, promoting communication, and increasing cooperation. All seminars held by partners trainers.
All mobility activities featured courses that assisted YWs in developing certain fundamental skills—digital literacy, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Mobility also included cultural events and touristic visits.
Training course took place in Egypt from 14 to 20th February, 2024. Training gathered 36 participants - youth workers from 5 partner organizations from Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lithuania, Palestine and Sweden.
The last mobility session focused on the following topics: teamwork, conflict resolution, and digital literacy. These very practical skills were deemed critical for constructing effective peace-building efforts.
Youth workers from partner organizations were invited to participate in a series of seminars on digital skills and social media management, a series of seminars on conflict management approaches and team-building exercises were conducted to teach YWs some effective ways of developing trust, resolving conflict, promoting communication, and increasing cooperation. All seminars held by partners trainers.
All mobility activities featured courses that assisted YWs in developing certain fundamental skills—digital literacy, teamwork, communication, and leadership. Mobility also included cultural events and touristic visits.