International Youth Camp – Dealing with the Past and Holocaust Histories in the Balkans

Published by sanja

Deadline: 4 August 2017
Open to: participants coming from Macedonia, Kosovo and Germany
Venue: 10 – 19 September 2017 in Bitola, Macedonia

Description

The project will take place in Bitola, in south-western Macedonia. The city had once been a busy intersection in which members of different religions and ethnicities have made their homes. The Jewish cemetery is considered to be one of the most important in the Balkans and it tells the history of the large Sephardic community that lived here for almost five centuries. The cemetery ceased functioning in March 1943 when nearly the entire local Jewish community was deported and murdered. Despite its historical importance and great educational potential, the cemetery has been neglected for decades. In 2015, a local initiative started to renovate the cemetery and create a memorial park.

The objective behind the idea is twofold: to transform the abandoned historical site into a meeting point for remembrance and learning from Bitola’s past; to publically promote values of understanding and peace. This year’s youth camp intends to support the initiative by following-up on the work of the first camp in 2016. In a spirit of comprehensive Dealing with the Past, we seek to learn about and remember the fate of discriminated and persecuted groups in the wider region during Holocaust, namely Jewish and Roma communities.

Eligibility

We welcome applicants who are:

  • From Macedonia and Kosovo: min. 18 years old;
  • From Germany: 18-26 years old;
  • Able to communicate in English (Please don’t worry, perfect English is NOT required – we will invent our own “camp language”!)’;
  • Reside in either Germany or Macedonia or Kosovo (citizenship is NOT a criteria!);
  • Curious to learn more about questions related to Dealing with the Past and grassroots Peacebuilding;
  • Open and eager to work in a dynamic, international environment with other volunteers from diverse cultural, social, religious, etc. backgrounds;
  • Activist spirit and motivation to be(come) active for more justice and peace in society.

Costs

Costs for direct traveling to Bitola and back will be reimbursed up to 200 EUR. All expenses for accommodation, food and travel on site will be covered by the organizers. An individual contribution of 25 EUR is asked from participants from Germany and has to be paid before the start of the camp.

How to Apply?

Please fill in the application form latest until Friday, August 4th at 1 p.m. The selection of participants will be made by the organizers based on motivation and interest of the applicants. We additionally seek for balance and diversity within the group in terms of education and professions, gender, national/religious/ethnic backgrounds.

Fill in the application form and send it to bitolayouthcamp2017@gmail.com

Find more information here.

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