Aims and objectives

Background of the project

Throughout the 95 years since its inception after the end of the First World War, SCI has been working to promote peace, non-violence, human rights, social justice & international understanding as an alternative to war. Today also in Europe we believe that this objective is as valid & relevant as ever.

The on-going conflict in Ukraine, the rapid deterioration in the relations between the EU and Russia, increasing militarization & random violence, re-appearance of "enemy images", continuing "frozen conflicts", rising right-wing nationalism & hate speech, social injustice & exclusion or the growing gap between rich and poor, discrimination of minorities, threats to democracy and civil society from oligarchy etc. are all a cause for great concern. Finding solutions to all these complicated challenges cannot be left only to politicians alone - we need active citizens from all nations & societies to stand up and struggle for peaceful development, an end to violence and the establishment of preconditions necessary to create opportunities for all young people to realise their potential & aspirations.

The seminar is part of a bigger project which will be implemented in three stages:

a) An opening thematic seminar in January 2016 in Berlin, Germany: "Peace and Solidarity - Make It, Don't Break It"

b) Implementation of a series of actions/activities conceived & developed at the opening seminar (March-Sept.)

c) "Trade Fair" in Poznan, Poland in late Autumn - Presentation & evaluation of the activities, new ideas for extending & enhancing the future quality of cooperation

Aims and objectives

The main objectives of this project are:

- To gather together active staff & volunteers of the international voluntary service movement;

- Identify and determine the main challenges & obstacles to be addressed, as well as the particular problems & needs of the voluntary organizations & civil society actors active in the region;

- Elaborate together non-violent & alternative and/or complimentary grass-root solutions to those traditionally practiced by governments or else propagated in mainstream media;

- Develop new, innovative projects in the voluntary service sector to promote real peace, sustainable development, social inclusion, active citizenship etc., as well as cross-border cooperation;

- Support concrete actions in solidarity with the victims of war & violence & those suffering from discrimination & social exclusion.

Specific issues that will also be addressed:

- Local ownership & international solidarity;

- Workcamps and long-term volunteering as major tools for HR & Peace work;

- Peace education and raising awareness - the project aims at strengthening civil society by means of increased cooperation within the different segments of the local communities.

The aim of this seminar is to bring together a group of 27 active volunteers & staff from 21 organizations from Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Hungary, Belarus, Georgia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Kosovo, Ukraine & Moldova in order to exchange ideas and experiences on the main topics as well as to further educate, train & empower each other with methods how to plan, organise and implement initiatives dedicated to peace.

Besides that, the training will also provide the opportunity to exchange views on current challenges which organizations face in their peace work, exchange competences and get new inspiration to work together as a network of likeminded peace activists.

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 706