Tauchen, Austria 17.07-23.07.2023

From the 17th to the 23rd of July 2023, twenty-four youth workers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany have gathered in Tauchen, near Wien, taking part in the Erasmus+ Training Course “TransFORMATIVE education for Social Justice“ organized by CAMBIO e.V in partnership with Euroteam Czech Republic, Sustainable Vibes, InfoEck, European Center for Innovation, Education, Science and Culture, and ZAVOD NEFIKS.

During the week spent together, everyone became familiar with the concept of Global Citizenship Education (GCED), discovering new educational methods and widening their perception of global problems and possible solutions. The participants had the opportunity to learn by doing and improving their facilitation skills by leading GCED workshops for the other participants in small groups. Participants experienced and elaborated their workshops on topics like world inequalities, Human Rights, privileges, stereotypes and prejudices, the concept of justice and equity, the causes of displacement, critical feminism theories on care work, and our opportunities for action for changing the world.

The Training course has also been a stage for intercultural exchange and critical thinking on the mechanisms that shape our societies at the national and international levels. In this regard, an intercultural evening has been hosted, during which the participants shared traditional food, objects, dances, and interesting facts related to their home country.

As a result of this training, participants created a graphic recorded video to report their experience and share the approaches brought about by GCED, especially in relation to Social Justice. Additionally, the youth workers involved, learned about examples of how to bring the workshops’ content to their local contexts, using the GCED methods as a possible and easily applicable means of strengthening values such as tolerance, freedom, and human rights.

It was a very enriching exchange also and above all thanks to the active and enthusiastic involvement of all participants. Last but not least, many thanks are due to the Blue Whale Education Center for the great hospitality, as well as to Mike, our chef, for providing us with delicious vegan food.

Some impressions from our week: