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25th February – 1st
March
In the period between
the 25th February and 1st
March 2006, the AEI-Open Windows
participated in an intercultural
exchange project in France/ Paris.
There were participants from France,
Greece, Israel and Palestine, both
youth and adults.
The participants
introduced themselves and their
organizations' mission, field of
work, programs and projects, in
addition to the situation in their
communities. A very important
discussion followed this workshop
about a program entitled EVS
(European Voluntary Service), which,
allows a young person to be a
volunteer in another country for a
specified period, normally between 6
and 12 months (preferably up to 9
months). The aim of the EVS is based
on three fundamental principles:
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To provide a non-formal
intercultural learning
experience for young people,
encouraging their social
integration and active
participation, improving their
employability and giving them
opportunities to show solidarity
with other people.
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To support the development of
local communities.
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To encourage the establishing of
new partnerships and the
exchange of experience and good
practice between the partners.
So we discussed the
needs (reasons) of each organization
for the EVS, what in the
justification, what are the aims?
What are the methodologies we will
employ?
We met with Mr.
Bernard Abrignani, the coordinator
of SALTO. He introduced the
organization, and how we can benefit
from the SALTO different programs
and we had lunch with him and he
encouraged us to start cooperation.
We met with Mr. Bruno Le Roux, who
is a member of the French parliament
at the House of Commons. Mr. Anton
Murra was chosen to facilitate that
meeting. We had a very nice and hot
discussion about the position of the
EU in general and France in
particular concerning the support to
Palestine after the democratic
elections resulting in Hamas as a
new government. He explained that;
first of all, they recognize Hamas'
emerging as the new government of
Palestine since it is the choice of
the majority of the Palestinians.
Secondly, concerning financial
support they are willing to keep
supporting the PNA but they are
waiting for the declaration of
political program of Hamas. Thirdly,
both Israel and Palestine should
make concessions and compromises to
one another in order to end the
conflict and reach a permanent just
and comprehensive peace. Finally, he
said they have to wait for the
results of Israeli elections.
On the last day, we
were divided into two groups, the
first one was discussing Euro-Med
youth program Action 1 (youth
exchanges); Mr. Anton Murra was
involved in this working group when
it covered the following points;
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Do we need a
youth exchange project? Why?
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Where do we like
to have this project?
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How can we
prepare a successful youth
exchange project?
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Who would
participate?
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What interesting
topics and activities (shared
and general) can we have?
In the end, we really
enjoyed the meeting for the
following reasons;
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The seminar
achieved some of our
expectations in general.
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The activities
that were proposed were
productive, interesting and
informative.
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The atmosphere
was peaceful, energetic,
enjoyable, warm and friendly.
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