„E-Democracy: the revenge of the….“

Международно обучение
„E-Democracy: the revenge of the young people…. “
16th-24th of October, 2017.
Poitiers, France

 

Summary:

Open public initiatives, often referred to as Electronic Government, Electronic Parliament or Democracy 2.0, aim to re-establish the link between citizens and government representatives by enhancing transparency and collaboration. They create spaces for citizens to share their vision of society and debate political choices or to control the integrity of democratic institutions and the quality of public services. Do these initiatives really contribute to restoring the confidence of citizens in their representatives and to improving the results of institutions and are they able to revitalize representative democracy

Deliberative democracy implies that citizens exchange, on an equal basis, rational arguments that lead to the development of a common position. Unquestionably, the principle of equality is respected on the net. The anonymity of Internet users facilitates the expression of people who would hesitate to express themselves in a „real“ public place. The status, the social origin of individuals being masked on the Internet, the speech of each one equals that of the others. On the other hand, argued exchange is far from always the rule. In forums, there is a tendency to affirm more than to demonstrate. Thus, virtual communities are content to juxtapose multiple points of view. Moreover, the Internet is often the seat of these wars of insults (flame wars) which discourage many Internet users.

Nevertheless, while these experiences of participatory online democracy are interesting, they remain, nevertheless, rather modest. Moreover, the Internet is most often used as a complementary device to a debate that had been organized in another setting. It is therefore not in these deliberative devices that e-democracy develops mainly. The expression of the citizen does not always pass through the organized public debate. It manifests itself in multiple spaces and in a variety of ways.

The same is true on the Internet, many Internet users write first for them and some relatives. Writing is an area of freedom where they can mobilize their creativity, express themselves without constraint. The testimony and the emotion often outweigh the argued discourse. Bloggers often speak to only a few readers, their testimonials are limited in scope. The information and opinions they develop are intended for a small community.

In the context of this exchange project, it is not a question of finding a consensus, of producing a neutral and objective formulation, but of allowing multiple opinions to be expressed, soliciting rich testimony, To let his subjectivity speak, to seek diversity, not to hide uncertainty. The exchange will be in the form of an e-citizen’s stand ready to leave the virtual for a cause while respecting the principles of democracy.
Each young person will be an actor in the project. All participants will come with a camera, a mobile phone or any other material to film. Group initiatives will be strongly recommended for joint actions.

Participant`s profile required:

• Group size: 6 young people age 18-25;
• English level ( at least Medium level speaking and writing);
• Committed to contribute to the follow up of the project;
• Be interested in developing competences and implement follow-up initiatives;
• Youth worker, youth leader, youth trainer, volunteer or any young person working with youth and young people with fewer opportunities on local, regional and international level;
• Highly motivated and able to work in an international team;
• Participants will have the possibility to present their cultures and their traditions, during informal moments as well as Intercultural night activity;
• Some priority will be given to youth belonging from minority groups or facing economic difficulties, coming from rural areas or with other disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as participants from Tryavna or the region.

Venue:

Accommodation will be in a Auberge de Jeunesse, 1 allée Roger Tagault 86000 Poitiers. Participants will share rooms with other participants from different country (but same gender). Two or three per room. Accommodation is fully covered by the Erasmus plus program.

Working methods:

All the training will be done through the methods of non-formal education. The activities will be for example brain storming’s, plenary discussions, simulations, role plays, team building, energizers, ice breakers and many others. Non formal education we remember you that is voluntary, no hierarchical and all its methods are based on the concept of learning by doing.

What to bring with me:

• You need to bring personal hygiene stuff (like shampoo, gel, etc.)and your personal items
• There is not hairdryer at location, so you should bring it if needed
• You don’t need to bring towels for the shower
• Shower slippers
• Sport shoes that can be used for general outdoor activities
• You should bring some shoes and clothes appropriate for cold mountain area
• There will be drinking water in location
• Any medicine you think you will need during your stay in Romania
• Proof of medical insurance
• Your European health card
• Please bring one laptop in your team!
• Your positive energy  !!!!!!!!!!!
• Boarding Passes (Original)
• Tickets from bus, train, ferry (Original)
• The original receipt of travel agency and the e-ticket with the amount of the travel expenses
• Your Visa and original receipts of any related costs (if available)

Intercultural night:

We usually dedicate two nights to the intercultural evening presentation.
What we expect from you to present in these nights are: local or national dances, local music, games, little sweets, drinks, pictures, etc. from your countries.
Every country will prepare a short presentation of their culture, using all kinds of methods. It’s preferred a short and FUNNY presentation, such as showing pictures and commenting it, quiz, short video (either already existing or made by you), etc. (YES – use your creativity!). For the intercultural night, we ask you to prepare in advance a brief performance (singing, your traditional music, popular dances) to present your group (typical costumes are really welcomed!).
The main idea of this presentation is: What is important for a stranger to know about my country?
Any kind of presentation is granted, better not to do a power-point presentation to avoid yawning.
The Intercultural night is the “most wanted event” on the beginning of the youth exchange. It is a sort of traditional night opened to all participant audience made up of our group leaders, youth workers, facilitators, participants to the exchange. All National groups are asked to perform briefly (10 for your NGO and country/city not more, and 10 min for traditional dances and music) in order to introduce their self. Certainly, we need your enthusiasm and energy!!
For the Intercultural evening a Swedish buffet (cold buffet) will be organized. Here every country will bring traditional food dishes. The food that will be brought must be eatable without any processing (boiling, frying, etc). The dishes must also be accompanied by a brief description (their origin and ingredients, the way they are eaten…)

Travel Costs:

100% of the participants‘ travel costs will be reimbursed within the valid budget sums calculated according to the official rules of Erasmus+ programme. If a sum exceeds the limit, the excess will be paid by the participants themselves. The reimbursement limit is 360€ per participant from Bulgaria.

Financial support:

Project is supported by “Erasmus+” program. Accommodation, meals, program and travel cost (based on distance) are covered from grant. There is NO participation fee. However, 15 BGN will be deductuted from the travel costs or paid to the sending organisation from each participant, in order to be covered the different taxes, related to the participation of each representative from Bulgaria (bank transfer fees, post expenses, difference in the exchange rates, etc.). In case the organisation is covering the tickets, each participant must transfer a guarantee of 100 BGN, to ensure his/her`s participation and if he/she cancels his/her`s participation, the sum will be used to cover the change of the name for the flight ticket, which has been bought already.

Insurance:

The travel insurance is not mandatory but it is highly reccommended. It costs 1 BGN/day and covers all the common injuries during projects up to 5000 Euro. Our organization is not covering insurance, it is individual, but we are going to support you to obtain a proper insurance for the duration of the project. For more information about the insurance, contact us.

YouthPass:

Every participant is individually entitled to receive a Youthpass Certificate, which confirms participation and validates the non-formal learning (NFL) experience of Training course project. Validating the learning experiences of participants is important in itself and the document can be of benefit in terms of the educational or employment future of the participant. Through Youthpass the European Commission ensures the Training course activity is recognized as a non-formal learning experience.
(*For more information on Youthpass you may click on this page to check it online)

Applicants MUST:

1. Have a vilidе ID/International passport.
2. Possess valid European Health Card.
3. Fill in the application form and send it to: stanimir.chukov@gmail.com – APPLICATION FORM
4. Fill in and sign this Participant Agreement.
5. Check the conditions your participation will be evaluated – Final evaluation form

 

IMPORTANT!!!
In the title of the e-mail, write down the name of the project.
Empty e-mails will be deleted automaticaly
The deadline for applying is 23. 09. 2017