Dreaming of victory, discussing values… Why is it important?
On March 12-18, a training for youth workers from several European countries took place near Gdynia (Poland). The participants compared their own experience and the activities of their organizations through the prism of European values, delved into the philosophical concepts of masculinity/femininity. The main topic of the meeting was the question “Is the European Union a woman?”
Does it sound… trite? strange? unexpected? It is necessary to get “hooked” on thinking about important things that usually lack time in everyday life. During the war, it would seem that there is certainly no time to think about the “high, reasonable, eternal”. But no, on the contrary, we hear more and more often around us discussions about the self-identity of Ukrainians, about values and visions of a common future: both Ukrainians in Ukraine and Ukrainians in Europe.
The Ukrainian team at the training was represented by Olena Hlazkova, Svitlana Ovcharenko and Larysa Horyslavets from the KIEC European Club, and Maria Vorona, a representative of the NGO Stella.
Larysa Horyslavets’s feedback on her participation in the training
“Discussing European values in an international team is a challenge, first of all, to our own stereotypes. So I had to think a lot and choose my words carefully (and it’s not about a low level of English for communication, but about the ability to clearly articulate thoughts in any language, both for others and for myself). Did I get answers to the important questions? No. Have I made progress in finding answers and meanings? Yes. As a result, I have something interesting and useful: for my professional experience – a set of proven methods and exercises, for personal growth – I know how to use self-reflection tools and understand how it renews my motivation and desire to set new goals and achieve them.
Feedback by Svitlana Ovcharenko
A part of the Euroclub team spent a whole week in Gdansk at a training for youth workers organized by our partners. 14 countries, 24 participants, serious conversations about values and approaches, the current situation in Europe and the future. For me, it was a valuable opportunity to present the current situation in Ukraine through the prism of democratic values to my European colleagues. Equally important was the opportunity to reflect on my own values and meanings and to communicate about them with my colleagues in an intercultural environment.
Among other things, there was a motivating meeting in one of the libraries in Gdańsk, the Library with Delight. It is very modern and youthful, and its main audience is teenagers. Yes, you’re right – teenagers are eager to go to the library. The secret is simple: they are listened to and work according to their needs. Books are purchased on the advice of clients; the space is organized with the ability to hold meetings, hang out with a group, or spend time alone. Not only books, but also board games and even movie disks are available for borrowing. When the demand for books in Ukrainian increased, they gathered and replenished this collection. Now they are thinking about Turkish and Arabic, because people who suffered from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria have appeared in the city.
The library also hosted a panel discussion on the importance and possibilities of including people with disabilities in public life not from the standpoint of arrogant “charity”: let’s help these disadvantaged people and give them something they don’t really need, but from the standpoint of equality and importance of every person. By the way, a few days later we, along with all the passers-by, cheered on the streets of Gdańsk as a parade procession celebrated the anniversary of an organization working with people with disabilities. They looked really dignified and proud.
