youth exchanges

Description
We live in the middle of the “digital age” or “technological era”, with more and more people using information and communications technologies (ICT) in their daily lives at work and at home. Social media has a huge impact on people’s lives. Every second someone shares a piece of information, shares a photo, makes a post about something, enters their email and name to access a website… Are we aware of the use of our own data?

This growing use of ICT is creating fundamental rights challenges. These range from concerns about privacy and the potential abuse of personal data online to the threats posed by cybercrime or large-scale surveillance operations. As a result, every citizen may, at some point, face violations of their fundamental rights, such as their right to privacy, freedom of expression or freedom of association.

Aimed objectives: 

• Promote awareness to our right to privacy as a fundamental right
• Promote awareness about the importance and value of our own data
• Promote media literacy among young people
• Promote pluralism, freedom of press and freedom of expression
• Help young people to develop their critical and analytical thinking capabilities
• Promote critical thinking among european society
• Promote the knowledge of Bairro Padre Cruz
• Create intercultural learning moments among participants from several european countries 

Partner NGOs
-Spain- Kaebnai
-Hungary- Youth bridges Budapest
-Lituania- Tavo Europa
-Estonia- Seiklejate Vennaskound
-Greece- Youth Empowerment

Photos
Day 1: https://www.instagram.com/p/CauhxLXMGq5/
Day 2: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaxTJZUsK0s/
Day 3: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca0B0PNMDqW/
Day 4: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca2w7FvMsic/
Day 5: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5amZbMFDn/
Day 6: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca74XEeInHe/
Day 7: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca-jEtDMoBq/

This project was co-funded by Erasmus+ programme

Dates and place
28 July – 4 August 2013, in Lisbon, Portugal

Description
Between 28th July and 4th August we implemented one more exchange in Lisbon! “Aim High, Choose Healthy” was a meeting of 25 youngsters from 5 different countries (Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Italy and Portugal) which aimed to reflect on the topic “healthy lifestyles”. Youngsters participated in workshops and discussions about how to improve their diet, as well as in Parkour and Contact Dance classes. During dinner, participants from each country prepared and shared with the others the diet of their countries.

This international group of youngsters started also a pedagogical Garden for children inside the new nursery of the “Crescer a Cores” Association in Padre Cruz neighbourhood.

Participants also created a web-blog where they update information, photos and videos about healthy lifestyles. Visit the blog here. You can also visit our facebook page to see photos of the exchange and of the pedagogical garden, and read on our blog the testimonial of one of participants!

International partners
– Zdravo da ste – Hi Neighbour – Bosnia and Herzegovina
– All-Ukrainian Youth Non-Governmental Organisation “Foundation of Regional Initiatives” – Ukraine
– Seiklejate Vennaskond – Estonia
– Cooperativa Nuovi Orizzonti Sociali – Centro Giovani “Giò” – Italy

Local partners
Junta de Freguesia de Carnide
Associação Crescer a Cores

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
8-17 July 2013, Brežice, Slovenia

Description
“Homemade Home” was a ten-day youth exchange in which Spin was a partner and that took place from 8th until 17th July 2013 at Youth Center of Brežice in Eastern Slovenia. 5 participants from Portugal joined 25 youngsters from 5 other countries (Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Poland and Romania) and discussed on the topic “What makes me feel like home?” and, among other activities, participated in workshops of photography, music, theatre, crafts and creative writing. At the end of the exchange participants prepared an exhibition at Youth Center of Brežice showing what they had created during the workshops. See some photos of the exchange here.

Partners
– EquaMente – Associazione Culturale di and Solidarieta: Italy
– Youth Association Oportunidad Europe: Spain
– Asociatia tineri Parteneri pentru Dezvoltarea societatii civile: Romania
– Swan: Poland
– Mladinski center Brežice (Youth Centre Brežice): Slovenia (host organization)

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
22 – 29 June 2013, in Lisbon, Portugal

Description
The International Exchange “Out time!” was a meeting of 25 youngsters from 5 different countries (Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal), which had the following objectives: to raise the young participants’ awareness of the importance of dialogue and solidarity between generations, to promote intergenerational activities and to create moments of sharing and exchange between various European countries, and between them and Carnide’s community.

The main activities proposed to participants during this exchange were:

• Workshops on intergenerational dialogue (presentations, debates, games, simulations, etc.);
• Study visit to Carnide’s Senior Academy;
• Several moments of acquaintanceship with seniors from Carnide

See some of photos here!

International partners
Italy – Centro Studi ed Europeo Iniziative
Lithuania – Kūrybinės Raiškos Centras
Poland – Stowarzyszenie Europa i My
Spain – Asociación Gantalcalá

Local partners
CulturBica – Association for Social, Cultural and Educational Development
Civil Parish of Carnide

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
“Dance Along – Cultural Shock Therapy” was an youth exchange in which Spin was a partner and that took place between 25th June and 2nd July in Redon, Brittany, France. 6 Portuguese participants aged 18-25 years joined the youth exchange together with participants from other three different countries (France, Slovakia and Romania) and spent seven wonderful days on the countryside learning about their cultural differences, proactivity and cultural shock. During this week the participants learnt how to live together and how to enjoy the lifestyle of Brittany and its nature, sharing traditional dances, food, histories and games. Meanwhile, we created a project together, one video clip about cultural shock, where the entire group represented the different stages and inherent feelings of this process. In the end, we created an event involving the local community of Redon where we presented the exchange, the different cultures involved and we displayed our final video.

It was a wonderful experience for a group of 27 people from 4 countries (Portugal, Slovakia, France and Romania); definitely an experience that helped us to value our culture but also helped us to feel a greater connection to this cross-culture that we call European!

We made friendships beyond borders that will last long!

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
15-22 April 2012, in Lisbon (Portugal)

Description
We live in the world where environmental challenges are becoming, more and more, one of the most relevant topics on the global level. Both origins and consequences of these challenges are changing daily lives of people all over the world but each handles it differently, as the policies of their countries are different.

Having this fact into account, Spin Association organized, between 15 and 22 April 2012, an international exchange of 20 young people from four countries (Hungary, Italy, Poland and Portugal) with the aim of promoting intercultural experience related with environment and promoting ways of the world and its natural resources, as well as presenting good practices implemented at local and international level.

During the week the group of participants realized a set of activities that encouraged exploration, debate and assimilation of different environmental topics such as sustainability, garbage and its separation and recycling, reuse and processing of resources, sustainable lifestyles and behaviours, environmental awareness, good practices and their consequences on day-to-day lives and on society.

Visit to Valor Sul was highlighted in this exchange as it allowed us to know and understand how waste separation and recycling are being done in Portugal. It was the starting point for debate and sharing ideas and experiences that allowed us to get to know reality as well as environmental and sustainable practices in each country.

Participants were hosted by Remix Project which has as aim intervene and recreate, with an effect on Armador neighbourhood, a critical territory, characterized by insecurity due to drugs consumption and trafficking and lack of urban hygiene (little waste collecting and no streets cleaning). During a few hours youngsters were ecodesigners. Divided into international teams they went to collect garbage that they used to build chandeliers later. You can see their experience and its results on the video below.

The following they, participants had an opportunity to implement a reconstruction workshop at Espassus 3G in Carnide, open to local community that aimed to turn waste into useful items. Finally, is worth mentioning, the projection of a movie about Dumpster Diving and the discussion about it that motivated participant to organize an action Dumpster Asking and Dumpster Diving in the centre of Lisbon.

The underlying topic of the exchange was the idea of REthink and REsee our day-to-day practices related to environment, taking into account the need of awareness and changes due to environmental challenges nowadays.

Organization
Spin Association

Local partners
Civil Parish of Carnide
Center InterCulturaCidade
Rossio Patio Hostel

International partners
Debrecen, Hungary – ‘On the way’ Youth & Cultural Association
Palermo, Italy – CE.SIE : Centro Studi Europeo ed Iniziative
Warsaw, Poland – Nasza Ziema

Thanks to
Civil Parish of Carnide and Espassus 3G
Warm welcome from the Center InterCulturaCidade
Hospitality Rossio Patio Hostel
Valor-Sul
Gaia: Environmental Action and Intervention Group
Remix Project
All participants of the exchange and community of Lisbon!

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
The Lisbon region has countless visible and invisible African presence due to our remote history with this continent. It is manifested through physical presence of thousands of people with African origins; we can also notice it in the (co)existence of African dynamics, sounds, rhythms, trends, cuisines, cultures, languages, fashions, arts, music, dances, vocabularies and traditions which exist in Lisbon day-to-day life but not always are noticed by the most distracted.

Considering this, between 30 March and 5 April 2012, Spin Association organized an international exchange of 25 young people from 5 countries (Bulgaria, France, Italy, Portugal and Sweden) with the aim to promote exploration and understanding of diversity and complexity of African cultures in Lisbon and their relationships with the communities that surround them.

During this week we created a great team spirit and cohesion among all participants that helped us to get to know the cultures of all involved countries. The program was full of activities, which allowed us to assimilate historical, political, economic and cultural relations between Portugal and Africa; experience food, music and African dance; get to know African reality in each participating country; share ideas and experiences; and still discover the physical and social geography of African Lisbon and its dynamics.

One of the highlights of this week was the visit to Padre Cruz Neighbourhood in Carnide where it was possible to observe the surrounding reality, contact directly with local community and collect their views on Lisbon dynamics, Africa and relationship between these two spaces and its consequences. In addition, participants showed in Carnide Cultural Centre the documentary “Nós Terra” (whose trailer can be seen here) that focuses on building against discourse, starring Portuguese black youngsters from different areas of Lisbon, including our neighbourhood. Both street interviews and the documentary fostered reflection and discussion on topics such as racism, prejudice, immigration, citizenship and identity.

A free tour taken in the centre of Lisbon was another important moment, which gave participants more time to observe and analyse African presence in this city and encouraged the communication with passersby.

One of the most relevant conclusions of this exchange was the existence of not just one African Lisbon but various African Lisbon coexisting in the same temporal and spatial context.

All these thoughts and learning that resulted in a written description, postcards and even a video made with the participation of all youngsters are available on our blog, as well as numerous photographs are in our facebook album.

Organization
Spin Association

Local partners
Civil Parish of Carnide
Center InterCulturaCidade
Rossio Patio Hostel

International partners
Sofia, Bulgaria – Sports Club Economist (International Youth Activity Centre)
Lund, Sweden – Valkyries in Action
Montegranaro, Italy – Associazione Sambieuropei
Grenoble, France – International Itinéraire

Thanks
Civil Parish of Carnide and the Cultural Centre team
Warm welcome from the InterCulturaCidade Center
Hospitality Rossio Patio Hostel
All artists and experts involved: andreyna Caires, Anna Tica, António Tavares, Catia Lopes, Malenga and Master Kabum .
To Hugo Curado, for planting the seed.
All exchange participants and the Lisbon community.

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
From 23 to 30 of September 2011, Lisbon was the scenery for an international exchange, promoted by Spin Association, which stimulated intercultural dialogue, using video as a main tool.

The exchange gave 30 young people from 6 countries (Bulgaria, Slovenia, Estonia, Greece, Italy and Portugal) the opportunity to be part of a cinematography project whose result was a documentary movie about languages and their relation with culture.

During the exchange, participants were part of the technical team of the documentary, under guidance of a director.
Workshops, debates, street interviews, “confessional” moments, intercultural nights and a lot of cinema were some of the activities of the program.

Partners
Portugal: “Spin Association” (host organization)
Bulgaria: “International Iniatives for Cooperation”
Slovenia: “Mladinski Brezice Center / Youth Center Brezice”
Estonia: “Academy of Youth”
Greece: “System and G”
Italy: “Mondo Nuovo”

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Thanks

Dates and place
12 to 22 September 2011 in Motta di Sicilia (Italy)

Topics
Environment, social issues

Description
The program included presentation games, icebreakers, visit to places of interest in the region, intercultural dinners/nights, meetings with local youngsters and getting to know the experience of social groups which manage goods that are confiscated from the mafia for social purposes, helping with gathering lemons and cleaning up fields, as well as workshops on sustainable lifestyles… and other activities related to the topic.

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
The European Commission declared 2011 the European Year of Volunteering. Spin Association, in collaboration with Parish council of Carnide, organized this exchange to stress this fact and sensitize young participants to volunteering as a form of civic and solidary participation. This exchange took place in Carnide between the 5th and 12th June 2011.

24 young people from 5 countries (Spain, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Sweden) had the opportunity to get to know Carnide, its resident community and some organizations that work in this Lisbon parish.

During this week full of discoveries and emotions, youngsters participated in numerous activities: workshops on volunteering and theatre, treasure hunting in the civil parish, volunteering action (repairing benches in a garden in one of the neighbourhoods of the parish), intercultural night and various games and dynamics that allowed enhancing team spirit and getting to know other participants culture.

One of highlights of the exchange was the participation, on the 11th of June, in an event at Carnide’s Cultural Center where they could watch “Grandparents March”, realized by the elderly of the parish, participate in a Zumba Fitness presentation, by Rasa, Spin SVE volunteer, and star in a funny theatrical performance entitled “Stories of the World”, prepared during the theatre workshop. Don’t miss the video of this event, available on this page.

Organization
Spin Association, with the support of Civil Parish of Carnide

Local partners
Azimuth Radical Association
National Association of Street Soccer
Association “Tenda” / Clowns of the World
International partners
Associazione Informagiovani -IG (Italy)
Ayuntamiento de Villa del Rio (Spain)
SASDI Kistérégi Ifjúsági Prgogramszervező Kerekasztal Egyesület (Hungary)
Sockerbrukets Ungdomsverksamhet SUV (Sweden)

Thanks to
Senior Academy of Carnide
Association of Retired, Pensioners and Senior Citizens of Carnide
All partners and community of Carnide

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
24 – 31 March 2011 in Vranje (Serbia)

Description
Nowadays, we are facing a critical situation in terms of increasing global warming and is becoming necessary to emphasize the implication of human rights in environmental issues. Many international documents contributed to the elaboration of these concepts (from the Stockholm Declaration in 1972 to the Conference of Rio de Janeiro in 1992).

“Green Rights” Youth Exchange is a project about human rights and the environment. Held in Serbia, during 6 days, 20 young people aged 16-25 from Portugal, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, through a set of non-formal education activities explored the interdependence between environmental issues and human rights.

Particular importance was given to the debate on environmental issues that may affect human rights and on analyzing how sustainable development approach can contribute to promote, also, human rights.
The main objectives of this exchange were: to raise awareness about human rights and environmental issues; to share the best practices in order to increase youth participation in issues related to sustainable development; to provide a multicultural environment where young people can experience the process of intercultural learning through the use of non-formal education activities (such as drama, art workshops, forum theatre, outdoor activities, and much more!).

Partners
Serbia: “Citizens Generator ” (host organization)
Portugal: “Association Spin”
Italy: “Un Ponte Per…”
Bosnia-Herzegovina: “Zdravo the ste”

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
The main topic of this exchange was employment and its relation with happiness. Young participants from 5 countries (Portugal, Estonia, Spain, Slovenia and Germany) were debating about the reasons of the current difficulty in finding a job after graduation, what can we do to find a job, how to work in rural areas or in a different culture. Another activity was a visit to local Vocational School, where it was possible to talk with students and teachers who presented us career opportunities and employment possibilities on the Orissaare island. It was also possible to participate in a short workshop on vocational guidance realized by psychologist from Employment Centre of Tallin.

23rd February was the Local Community Day, an event created and organized by the group of international participants for local students. This event was divided into three parts: presentation of the Youth in action Program, short presentations about every participating country and workshop on work – the idea was to teach students some useful competencies for their future life.
At the end of each day there was always a session of intercultural learning, with a different topic for every night: important days or events in different countries, special Christmas traditions, traditional cuisine, traditional dances, as well as stereotypes about countries and their inhabitants.
And, of course, it was also possible to enjoy winter activities such as sledding, snow city building, saunas, parties… and much more!

We had time to get to know the town of Orissaare – there was a game about exploring the city – and to talk with a representative of local authorities about daily life on an island and in a small town.

We also had the honour to witness a special event for all Estonians – 24th February, Estonian Independence Day – which is celebrated with a show in one of local culture houses. On the last day of the exchange, we went to the capital city of Tallinn to experience Estonian nightlife.

Testimonials of participants
Ângelo, Jukisia and Chloe

Partners
Estonia: “Academy of Youth” (host organization)
Portugal: “Association Spin”
Slovakia: “Green Dreamers”
Spain: “Spanish Youth “
Germany: “InterAct Youth”

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
30 October – 6 November 2010 in Strumica (Macedonia)

Description
During the eight days of this exchange, young people from six countries, with different cultural backgrounds, worked together on collecting traditional games and tested different creative and peaceful games which their parents and grandparents used to play. They were involved in the planning and development of activities, in the decision process and in the responsibilities distribution process, fostering the exchange with new cultures and values.

Games were a great help in promoting multicultural understanding which is closely related to aspects of personal and social development, where participants self-esteem was promoted. They were also encouraged to consider and respect the feelings of others.

Project helped to rediscover the pleasure of learning and play in a group, experiencing typical games from different countries and cultures, giving participants the opportunity to share their favourite games.
Structured activities, such as peaceful and creative games collecting, researching and preparing an exhibition of collected games and travels to local communities helped to provide participants with an opportunity of learning about themselves and learning more about different cultures, changing their and respective communities lives.

Partners
Macedonia: “Cre-Act-Ive” (host organization)
Portugal: “Association Spin”
Italy: “Mondo Nuovo”
Romania: “Romania Together”
Czech Republic: “Social -Sport Institute”
Serbia: “Youth Council Krusevac”

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Dates and place
1-9 August 2010 in Ravensburg (Germany)

Description
43 young people aged 16-30 from 7 different countries met in Ravensburg, Germany, and participated in several workshops (photography, street theatre, art and communication) to prepare an interactive exhibition about human rights and discrimination which was presented at the main city square. Participants also had the opportunity to present the history of their countries during international dinners prepared by them, and thanks to that, get to know better the culture of all countries represented on this exchange.

Partners
aha – Tipps & Infos für junge Leute (Germany), host organization
Středisko volného času Déčko (Czech Republic)
Academy of Youth / Noorte Akadeemia (Estonia)
Theaterzirkus-Projekt “Primero Paso” (Germany)
Területfejlesztők és Polgármesterek Klubja Egyesület (Hungary)
V.A. Graiciunas School Management (Lithuania)
Spin Association (Portugal)
Goriških Študentov Klub (Slovenia)

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.

Description
25 young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Portugal, Serbia and Turkey participated in this international exchange organized by Spin Association in Lisbon.
The aim of this exchange was to share good practices and discuss how sustainable development can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights.

During one week young people took part in group discussions and reflection, participated in environmental education activities in the heart of nature, in dynamics of education for human rights, cultural visits and all this with intensive social and intercultural program.

Partners
Spin Association (Portugal), host organization
Zdravo da ste (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Un Ponte per… (Italy)
Citizen ‘s Association Generator (Serbia)
AEGEE – Ankara (Turkey)

Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program and Civil Parish of Carnide (Lisbon).

Thanks to
GAIA – Grupo de Acção e Intervenção Ambiental
Corpo Nacional de Escutas (Projecto “Carta dos Deveres do Homem”)
Ian Carlo Mendoza (musician, composer)
Susana Duende (actress, playwright and theater director)
Mane Anima (circus performer)

Dates and place
6 – 13 June 2010 in Lisbon (Portugal)

Description
This youth exchange aimed to promote awareness on the culture of two Iberian countries, Portugal and Spain, while young people participated in preparations for Popular Saints Festival (“Festa dos Santos Populares”) – and especially for St. Antony, a traditional local festival in Lisbon.

Dance and cooking workshops, peddy paper, cultural visits to Alfama and Belém, as well as traditional St. Anthony night in Lisbon neighbourhoods were some of many activities in which young people participated during this exchange.

This project was open to young people with fewer opportunities in order to promote and encourage greater openness to cultural diversity.

Using non-formal education techniques and activities, this exchange allowed young people to acquire new linguistic, cultural and digital skills.

Partners
Spin Association (Portugal), host organization
Ayuntamiento de Villa del Rio (Spain)

Support
Youth in Action Program
Civil Parish of Carnide (Lisbon)
Tradballs
G.A.C. – Community Action Group (“Grupo de Acção Comunitária”)

Dates and place
29 March – 5 April 2010 in Villa del Río, Córdoba (Spain)

Description
Festivals and traditions of two cultures, Portuguese and Spanish, were the theme for this exchange of 20 young people from Portugal and Spain. During the Holy Week celebrations in the region of Cordoba, youngsters participated in theatre, dance and gastronomy workshops, tried playing Kinball and realized cultural visits to Cordoba, Montoro and Villa del Rio. These activities served to foster mutual knowledge and understanding between two cultures, as well as encouraging active participation and intercultural understanding.

Use of non-formal education techniques and activities during this exchange, allowed young people to acquire new linguistic, cultural and digital skills.

Partners
Ayuntamiento de Villa del Rio (Spain), host organization
Spin Association (Portugal)
Support
This exchange was supported by the Youth in Action Program.Available soon!