As a result of the big refugee crisis in Europe starting in 2016 discrimination of particular muslims has increased both in politics, media and among ordinary civilians. Unfortunately this affects many young people in EU with various backgrounds, who are feeling excluded in different areas of life. At the same time these young people are challenged by their cultural heritage and the expectations from their family. This makes them more challenged than other young people, who doesn't have to deal with big issues, but rather have the opportunity to explore themselves and their multiple opportunities. The project contains a youth exchange, where young people with other ethnic backgrounds than European will meet in Italy and spend time together discussing different topics related to being a non-ethnic citizen in either Denmark or Italy.
The purpose of this youth exchange is for the youth to get a better and deeper understanding of the challenges, they are facing and to share experiences with another similar group from a different country. It is also the purpose to share personal stories and experiences with the broader society as a way to portray minorities in a different light, than what is normally seen in the media. We will be using digital storytelling as a tool to create and share the stories from the participants . The project includes to groups of young people with other ethnic backgrounds than European living in both Denmark and Italy. Each organisation will send 8 participants, 2 group leaders and 1 project coordinator. All young participants are the so-called "second generation", meaning that their parents have migrated to Italy/Denmark, but the children are born and raised in Denmark/Italy. They are all between 18-26 years and engaged in either work or education. |
« For any marginalized group to change the story that society tells about them takes courage and perseverance ».
― Sharon Salzberg, Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection |
What and who is 'Den boligsociale helhedsplan Taastrupgaard'?
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What and who is 'YOUNET NGO'? |
Den boligsociale helhedsplan Taastrupgaard is a sponsored program for residents living in a marginalized residential area in Denmark. The residents consist of up to 50 different ethnic origins and 50 % of the residents are below 25 years, which makes the youth a highly prioritized target group for social activities. We have different activities to offer the youth. For example we offer them assistance to find information about available jobs and further education. We also teach and assist them in the actual application processes and pave the way for job opportunities in the society. Besides that we have various programs in the project, where we employ different young profiles in a way to pave the way for employment and integration in the broader society.
We also employ role models to guide others on the right path.Another big aim is to communicate and distribute positive stories in the society about the ethnic youth, who in particular in these days are met with hostile attitudes from part of the Danish population, due to an increasing negative debate about ethnic minorities in the media and among the Danish politicians. |
YouNet promotes, designs and carries out: learning mobility and european active citizenship activities at a local, regional, national and international level; medium and long term volunteering and learning projects; cultural exchanges; informative, scholastic and professional orienting; cultural, social, sport, recreational and editorial activities; seminar and formative training aimed to organisations, social workers and citizens; formative, promotional and informative initiative related to specific themes linked to the above mentioned topics.
YouNet cooperates with: public institutions especially at local and regional level; schools, universities, vocational and other education institutions; public and private social inclusion organizations (e.g. underaged prisons); other NGOs; …. It is particularly active in the field of youngsters with fewer opportunities and risk groups (ex-offenders, drug addicts, youngsters in rehabilitation centres, migrants…). Most of the activists of YouNet were involved in youth exchanges, leader trainings and seminars on social inclusion and youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds. YouNet itself organises projects and activities on social inclusion at a local and international level. YouNet is accredited as EVS Coordinating, Hosting and Sending Organization since 2010 and has been involved as applicant or partner in more than 35 EVS projects since 2011. |