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Spirit of Democracy
Start date: Aug 1, 2014, End date: Jan 1, 2015 PROJECT  FINISHED 

“Spirit of democracy” is a project of Youth’s exchange which is being organized by Lithuanian association “Unique projects”. Project will promote democracy, public spirit, structure of representative democracy and provide more theoretical and practical knowledge about political interests of the youth and self-interest representation (your very own interest representation). One of the most analyzed topics is going to be importance of active citizenship of European youth, differences of political systems in different countries and, of course, representation of interests. The main objectives of the project are: giving more knowledge to young people about advantages and disadvantages, similarities and differences of various political systems, in ways of non-formal learning reveal the importance of interests’ representing and active citizenship, create new ideas about possible improvements in countries’ leading and also to improve participants’ personal skills in case analysis, problem solving, working in command and presentation making. During this project participants will get a deeper understanding about politics, active public spirit and participation. The preliminary date of the main exchanges of the projects is planned between September 20-29, 2014. One of the most intensively analyzed topics will be low students and other young people involvement in State political activities - indifference in politics, passivity in elections and inadequate voting. The purpose of our project is to provide knowledge about the importance of citizenship and skills in representing our own interests. Participants audience - young, active, interesting in learning new things, people . These are people who feel their lack the knowledge and information about the country's political system, representing their interests, those practical aspects needs and importance in our lives and strongly have a desire to change this situation in their lives. Participants will be selected not only by question-and-answer form, a motivation letter explaining why they would like to participate in this project and also they will be asked for a video clip in which they will be adducing arguments why they are motivated to participate in this project, what are their objectives expectations and ambitions. Planned number of participants is 28 (5 people + 1 leader from each country), aged 18 to 24. They are young people, at the right age to be able to vote in elections, to represent their interests, only the question is whether they have enough knowledge for that. According to preliminary plan of activities, day 1 is going to be for arriving, getting to know with each other, ice-breaking activities, safety training and instructions, current questions and offers. Safety instructions training will be held by the organizers. Together with the participants we will identify and write down on a big sheet of paper total composed rules of participants that we will keep in the whole project. There will be also included participants’ examination ‘What they already know about politics in general’. Team formation and participants will also show their ‘homework’ (presentations about partners’ country system of politics). Plenty of games, discussions, brainstorm and reflections considered with those presentations will be included. Discussions between ourselves "What we did yesterday and what we are going to do today. Our wishes and needs." Working in groups: "Government systems similarities and differences". Lecture with a professional teacher who is going to tell much more interesting information about the political system, democracy, etc. After each lecture participants will have a possibility to ask questions and uncertainties and after that several volunteers will be saying a few most important new ideas describing the lecture. Maybe there after that we might have a little group discussion. The next day, from the early morning we are going to visit Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. We are also going to visit Seimas Palace. It is the seat of the Seimas, the Lithuanian parliament. Early morning Energizers. Case analysis and discussion about that. Game considered of the importance to represent our interests. Film review and discussion about that. We will have elected a number of possible options to let the participants choose themselves what they want and which is the most relevant for them to see. Intermediate evaluation: "What am I doing here, with what purpose did I come and what I have achieved so far. Later on, we are going to start creative workshop. We are going to give creative freedom for the youngsters for their self-expression but we will always be nearby for any questions or concerns. Individual expression on thoughts. Participants will be sharing their last general impressions of this project, giving final ideas, future action plan review and adjustment.
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