Deadline: 13 February 2012
Open to: Professionals and volunteers closely involved in youth policy processes in their youth organisations and countries, young multipliers closely involved in democratic youth movements in their countries, leaders of youth organisations having an active role in the developments of the Arab spring, bloggers and youth workers
Venue: Malta 22-24 March 2012
Description
The South-Mediterranean youth policy cooperation of the partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe in the field of youth, the League of Arab States (LAS) and other actors started in 2005. The cooperation aims at developing a common understanding and exchange of issues of specific concern for youth policy in Europe and South Med region. Since 2006, other national and international stakeholders of youth policy in European and South Med countries have become involved and extended
the framework of this informal cooperation. The activities carried out brought together youth researchers, governmental institutions responsible for youth policy and nongovernmental youth organisations in European and South Med countries. Among other results, the cooperation has supported the process of the Euro-Arab Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (EACMYO), created possibilities for direct exchanges between South Med and European youth leaders through relevant youth forums, and provided opportunities for capacity-building of civil society youth organisations through training courses on human rights education, intercultural dialogue and youth participation.
The process of changes brought about by the “Arab Spring” in various countries provides the context and drives the need for re-visiting this cooperation. The seminar on empowerment of youth organisations and youth led civil society in the SouthMediterranean framework hereby presented, is the first step in this direction: it provides youth non-governmental organisations and stakeholders the opportunity to reflect upon recent developments and their implications for the future youth policy cooperation so as to safeguard ownership of the process among stakeholders and to ensure a sustainable long-term perspective.
The events in a number of countries in the Arab region since the beginning of 2011 have imposed a new perception of young people’s capacities and aspirations. As crucial actors in the processes of political changes, young people have stood up for more freedom,
equality and justice. But they also stand up for better future perspectives in education and work, economic and social development and participation in the decision making process.
Furthermore the role and organisation of youth policy needs to be reviewed.
International youth policy cooperation has also an important role to play. Despite the obvious differences between the Arab and European regions, it is clear that both are affected by consequences of globalisation processes. The massive spread of global communication, and particularly social media, has become a new and powerful vehicle for young people to get organised and participate, to be informed and to spread information.
Youth organisations in Europe might be interested to learn from the efficient use of social networks and online media by youth organisations in the South-Mediterranean region.
This seminar will focus on the role and status of youth organisations/youth movements and the young people they work with as crucial actors in the development and consolidation of inclusive, participatory and pluralistic democracies based on human rights and the rule of law. Furthermore, this seminar will give opportunity for a joint analysis on the impact of youth (organisations) on the Arab revolutions and vice versa, their role within the resulting transition process.
Objectives:
- To exchange on the current effects of Arab spring on civil society and develop a shared understanding of the current situation of young people in the South Med region as well as in European countries and their role in on-going processes of change;
- To understand the implications of this transition to democracy for the reality of youth, the youth agendas and for the landscape of youth led civil society organisations;
- To strengthen and support the role of civil society and non governmental youth led organisations and networks by enabling young people to reflect on their needs in terms of capacity building and propose joint projects to be implemented on a long term basis in a wider partnership.
Organisers
Maltese Youth Agency a (Aġenzija Żgħażagħ), EU-CoE youth-partnership, League of Arab States, North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, Euromed Youth Platform.
Date and duration:
22-24 March 2012 (2 working days) (21st arrival, 24 th departure for participants, 25th departure for organisers and stakeholders).
Venue: Malta (details to be confirmed)
Eligibility
The seminar will bring together 30 young people from Southern Mediterranean [MENA] and European youth organisations, facilitators, stakeholders and youth policy experts from the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The seminar is open for professionals and volunteers closely involved in youth policy processes in their youth organisations and countries, young multipliers closely involved in democratic youth movements in their countries, leaders of youth organisations having an active role in the developments of the Arab spring, bloggers and youth workers.
Participants will be selected through an open call and nominated among selected experts and cooperation partners.
Application
All those interested in applying to take part in the seminar are kindly requested to fill in their application on-line.
The deadline for submitting applications: 13 February 2012. Candidates will be informed about whether their application has been accepted or rejected, and if they have put on the waiting list, by 21 February 2012.
You can read more information in the Official call.