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Meet, connect and overcome borders - Kyiv goes Leipzig!
Start date: Aug 1, 2016, End date: Oct 31, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Since the protests on Maidan (independent-square in Kyiv) and the following political change the political and social situation of Ukraine have been moved to the focus of interest in the European society.With the flow of time the demand for a democratic, free and European future became a conflict that divided the country and which needs to be solved together. But how to find such a solution for a country whose today’s territory has always been a border area?A border between East and West also runs through the European, especially through the German history and exists in the minds of many people until today. Our German-Ukrainian-Students-Meeting will talk about these topics and will try to bring people together, to create a better understanding between them and to overcome borders. The protestant students parish Leipzig (ESG) has been interested in the region of Eastern Europe for a long time already. Especially the situation in Ukraine has been one of our topics. Through personal contacts the idea of an educational excursion to Leipzig’s twin town Kyiv, was developed. The trip took place in March 2016.Due to the very positive feedback and the wish to reinforce and discuss the topics we decided to organize a meeting for students in Leipzig, together with our partner organisation “Youth NGO Iskra“. In summer 2016 a group consisting of 15 Ukrainian and 15 German students will meet in Leipzig and also go to Berlin together. The Ukrainian students will stay at the houses of German students (or in Berlin in a hostel). All participants are students of different courses in the age range between 18 and 29 years, who study in Leipzig or Kyiv but come from different cities, including Eastern Ukraine.During the time spent in Leipzig and Berlin the following subjects out of different fields will be treated.a. History- Peaceful revolution 1989- Dealing with the history of Jewish life in Germany, containing the holocaustb. The European Union and Ukraine- Europe: Chances and current challenges- How can the cooperation between the EU and Ukraine be improved?- History and structure of the EUc. East and West in Europe, Germany and Ukraine- Which borders still exist? How can they be overcome?- „Reconstruction east“ („Aufbau Ost“) (history and realisation)- How do we see reunited Germany 25 years after the fall oft he Berlin Wall?d. Integration and interreligious dialogue- How does the multicultural living work?- (How) Does integration work?Through various formal and informal methods such as presentations, guided tours, experimental games, group discussions etc. the participants may improve their historical, cultural and political knowledge and gain intercultural and social competence. Furthermore they encouraged to question their personal attitude towards certain subjects. The personal contact to contemporary witnesses and members of different religious groups offers the opportunity to deal with different points of view.The topics mentioned during presentations and discussions will be consolidated by visiting historical places. Referring to the personal experience of the participants also concrete questions are answered.By spending time in group activities, having lectures, discussions, city trips and playing an experimental game and the accommodation of the Ukrainian students at their German partner’s places the opportunity for one-to-one conversations is given. This again offers the participants the opportunity to socialize, reduce prejudices and widen their horizons. Referring to the personal experience of the participants also concrete questions are answered. The participants who are anyway involved in socially projects are ought to use their gained experience to act as multipliers.Therefore the project will strengthen the Leipzig-Kyiv partnership, improve the German and Ukrainian students’ mutual sympathy and interest of the other culture.

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