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Activating rural youth: Promoting youth participation and active citizenship among young people living in deprived rural areas
Start date: Jun 1, 2015, End date: Nov 30, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

This multilateral Youth Exchange was an opportunity for disadvantaged young people living in deprived rural areas to gain knowledge and skills and explore the idea of active youth participation in democratic life in Europe and active citizenship. It was held in Azerbaijan bringing together 50 young people and 10 group leaders from the UK, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, and Azerbaijan for 10 days. The young people involved in the Youth Exchange improved their competences within ICL and citizenship through peer leadership. It also increased the young people’s awareness of the need for ICL in youth activities and community projects. The local communities involved with the project experienced a greater sense of understanding and cohesion through the projects and campaigns produced by the young people. The objectives included recognising the role of young people living in deprived rural areas and peer educators dealing with ICL, active youth participation, and active citizenship during national/international projects and encouraging incorporating ICL dimension into their local projects as a follow-up of this Exchange, thus enabling wider circles of young people to experience ICL, youth participation, and key values associated with them (e.g. respect for diversity, tolerance, participation, and democracy). The following working methods were used during the Youth Exchange: - theoretical inputs on various aspects of communication, information, and ICL and exercises (simulations, consensus, confrontation exercises, group works, etc.); - presentations of best practices; - role-play and simulation exercises; - workshops on management of a peer group, intercultural communication, and peer communication; - “Open Space” method; - “Theatre of the Oppressed” method; - presentation of the Erasmus+ Programme with a special focus on new developments and opportunities for cooperation between the partners on the project’s theme; The young people from deprived rural areas may not only be able to vote as a means to participate but they can make many other different positive contributions to their communities. Participation with intercultural learning issues gave the young people the knowledge, skills, and understanding to play an effective role in Europe’s multicultural communities and to be active citizens. It helped them to become informed, thoughtful, and responsible citizens who are aware of their duties, rights, and responsibilities. It also encouraged them to play a helpful part in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities, and the wider world. Furthermore, this Youth Exchange encouraged them to learn about the economy and democratic institutions and values and developed their ability to reflect on different issues and take part in discussions. We were also able to further spread our findings and knowledge to other youth organisations active with the issues of practicing peer education as a tool to promote active youth participation in democratic life in Europe and active citizenship. All the participants worked towards accreditation with a Youthpass certificate.
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