MALTA RESCUE CORPS
Empowering the Next Generation
ON THE MOVE
Targeting young people with fewer opportunities has long been a pillar of the European Union's work in the youth field, notably through project funding for organisations working in this area. As stated in the Erasmus+ legal basis: "when implementing the Programme, inter alia as regards the selection of participants[…], the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that particular efforts are made to promote social inclusion and the participation of people with special needs or with fewer opportunities". The Inclusion and Diversity Strategy sets out to embrace and celebrate diversity so that difference becomes a positive source for learning rather than the cause for negative competition and prejudice. Young people should be equipped with the necessary competences to manage and work with diversity. This will encourage positive interactions between people of all walks of life and ultimately improve the situation of young people with fewer opportunities.
The project will involve 21 youths,7 accompanying persons and 5 group leaders from Malta, Turkey, Greece, Romania and Italy ; aged between 16 and 26( age of group leaders and accompanying persons not included), who will come together in Gozo to implement this youth exchange between 10th-17th December 2018 (including 2 travel days).An APV is set between 1st -3rd October 2018( including 2 travel days).This exchange will bring together youths from EU countries,, non EU and thus we will be strongly promoting tolerance and understanding focusing on how to overcome social barriers and promote an inclusive culture towards young persons irrespective of ones cultural background.
On the move general objective is to offer people with fewer opportunities and less able youths a chance to involve themselves more in society, and interact with one another despite each carrying a different cultural background. This youth mobility include various types of activities and utilities various working methods such as workshops, discussions, interactive talks, outdoor activities, culinary sessions and vox pop amongst few.Some topics covered will be democracy; active
citizenship; social inclusion; healthy lifestyle.
The main objectives are:
- The promotion of outdoor activities: Since most of the involved participants have some form of disability or come from a disadvantaged background, some of the activities are centered on the theme of outdoor activities and the promotion of active lifestyles. This will create a dimension for social interaction besides getting to know each other better in a more enclosed environment.
-The respect of cultural diversity: we will not just learn about each others' way of doing things but we will also learn to respect and to be more tolerant towards each others' cultures.
- Promotion of social inclusion within society: This will be primarily done through a series of workshops and discussions to help us develop a sense of belonging in society. Having a group of mixed abilities, we will learn to increase motivation and a sense of belonging, and be made more aware of the importance of the promotion of equal opportunities-to understand better issues that surround healthy lifestyles and youth disability. This will be done through the multiple activities planned. This falls in line with one of the main priorities identified by the Erasmus + programme and the need to promote such projects. It is also a means by which important messages will be delivered on how these activities should be open to everyone irrespective of their social background.
The main competences and skills learnt by each youth will be registered on the Youth Pass certificate which will be given to each participant at the end of the mobility. Some of the learning outcomes and competences include:
-Learn how to work in a team work environment and how to reach new compromises;
-Learn the basic key steps of first aid and sign language;
-Learn how to disseminate the information and knowledge that they acquire to others;
-Develop new key skills of communication, problem solving, leadership and teamwork;
-Gain personal confidence and self-esteem through taking on challenges and achieving success;
-Understand better the notion of social inclusion, democracy and active citizenship through practical means;
-Gain more confidence in themselves and understand that they can also take part in challenging
sports;
-Become more familiar and knowledgeable about the aims and objectives of Erasmus+ Programme and the priorities of the EU;
-Enjoy participating in outdoor activities and adopt a positive attitude to challenge and healthy behavior;
-Become aware of European diversity in culture, history and traditions.
As part of the long term benefits the network among the participating organisations will strengthen, leading to projects which will be implemented in the future, thus continuing to contribute towards the greater participation of young people in such projects.