The official quarterly newsletter of Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw

NL 30 (Summer 2008)

Editorial - News from the network - News from the partners

Dossier - Little voices

EDITORIAL

2008 is likely to become a milestone in DBYNs history. For this we can use examples like the growth of number and commitment of our volunteers or the development of our new website. But all these things are not possible without the right support. Probably the biggest step forwards for the network in 2008 is that we received a 3-year-contract from the European Commission for the financial support of our administration.

DBYNs international secretariat takes care of several tasks of the network. There is an administrative part, it does promotional and advocacy work, it is an information point of contacts and funding programmes for the member organisations, it supports and delivers training, etc etc. Most importantly, for all these tasks, it tries to remain as approachable as possible. We consider this necessary because we are a network for and by young people. An ivory tower does not fit in a grassroots organisation. The financial support of the EU is a wonderful tool for us to keep on working like we have done before.

NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

From the 1st till the 4th of May the partners of Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw assembled in Sanlucar la Major (Spain) for a 4 day programme on European projects for disadvantaged youth. The seminar “Few words and a lot of action” mainly focused on the EU “Youth in Action”-programme, especially those activities which are most suitable for grassroots works & social inclusion: youth initiatives and group EVS. The workshops on these activities were delivered by experienced member organisations. Next to this we explored other funding opportunities which the European Union offers for working with disadvantaged youth. The meeting was hosted by Don Bosco Youth-Nets largest partner organisation: Confederación de centros juveniles Don Bosco de España.

Study visit to Ireland

From the 10th till the 12th of June DBYN’s international secretariat did a study visit to our Irish partner organisation: Salesian Youth Ministry Office Ireland. The purpose of the visit was to get a clear view on their situation, and together develop a strategy for youth work development.

Don Bosco Youth-Net releases new websites

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw has release a new website: www.donboscoyouth.net. .Next to general information and news on the network, the website offers 3 resource databases: The activity database offers a full overview of all the activities of the network. The accommodation database has over 120 Don Bosco houses registered, which young people can rent for their activities. This database can also be accessed through the address www.donbosco-accyp.net. The toolbox is a database full of documents, tools, manuals, methods, … which youth leaders and organisations can use to support their youth work activities.

For registered users there are even more possibilities. Individuals for example can subscribe online for activities, and organisations can add places of accommodation. Finally there is a feature where users can subscribe to get information tailored to their personal interests directly in their mailbox.

DBYN also released an online TV channel: www.youtube.com/dbyntv. It is used to post reports of its past activities.

A Window to Europe

The weekend of from the 3rd to 5th of July our German partner organisation hosted an Advanced Planning Visit for the youth exchange ‘A window to Europe’. This youth exchange takes place the last week of July at the Aktionszentrum Benediktbeuern. It is the first step training course from DBYNs training cycle, . ‘A window to Europe’ focuses on intercultural learning through youth work. At the ‘Advanced Planning Visit’ the group leaders and trainers put together the final programme and sorted out the last practicalities, so they can ensure a 100%-to-look-forward exchange. A report on the exchange will follow in the next newsletter.

Youth in Action 4.1 administrative grant

We have good news. As you all know we applied for an administrative grant for the international secretariat. The selection procedure took longer then in the past, but now the results have been published on the website of the EAC Executive Agency. The good news is that we have received the grant, and even better news is that we will not receive it for one year, but for the period of 3 !!! This is definitely a mayor step in the young history of our network. Thanks to all partners who have made this possible.

NEWS FROM THE PARTNERS

Aktionszentrum EVS training centre (Germany)

The Aktionszentrum Benediktbeuern has been recognized as a training centre for EVS. Together with 2 other training residences they’ve submitted an application to the German National Agency. Now they are accredited as a training centre, the Aktionszentrum will work together with its 2 partners to deliver the training courses from September 2008 onwards.

COR’s meeting assemblies over 200 young people (Spain)

Between 1 and 4 May, just over 200 young people from various Salesian centres in the Provinces of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Spain took part in the 2008 version of “COR’S”, a formation meeting on the possibilities for evangelisation of various forms of artistic expression.

The meeting was held at the Salesian house in SanLúcar La Mayor, Seville, where those taking part , young people and organisers alike, who were involved in projects and activities of drama, music, dance and other artistic forms, acquired new ideas and skills to use in improving their own work.

“COR’S” - “Corazón Salesiano” (Salesian Heart) – is an educational scheme intended to examine and study the Gospel while using art and its various expressions so as to acquire the necessary skills and techniques evangelise through art. The 2008 version concentrated on the topic of formation. Included in the programme were various work-shops such as: meditative dance, dance as a means for ministry and evangelisation, theatre at its best, mime as a dramatic expression, Salesian educative elements in the theatre, conjuring and tricks, clowning etc. Those taking part also reflected on the idea “the theatre, a parable of the Kingdom of God.” During the final day, the Sunday Mass for the participants was celebrated by Fr José Miguel Núñez, the new Councillor for the West Europe Region.

Jugend eine Welt kicks off campaign on EURO 08 (Austria)

In the year of the UEFA championships Jugend Eine Welt puts a focus on football players, which don’t stand in the spotlights of the media: on many thousands of street children, which get a better chance in life through football schools. The campaign “Football for street children” combines fundraising (fair trade footballs, T-shirts, …) and education (workshops of schools, awareness raising actions, …). For more information on this campaign surf to www.kickfair.at.

Youth Ambassadors for MDGs – awareness raising project (Poland)

Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals – is a two-year project of SWM (Salesian Missionary Voluntary Service) which began this year in March. It is financed by the EC grant of the amount of 480000 euro and is conducted together with European Partners from Greece, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary and also with local partners from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cambodia and Argentina. Main objectives of this venture are to raise awareness about MDGs and develop interdependence between EU and developing countries. We want to mobilize youth through the educational and informational campaigns and cultural events.

International film festival, as well as, essay, cartoon, computer games competitions concerning the subject of MDGs are the actions that will help us to achieve the intended goals. The winners of particular competitions will have an opportunity to visit the aforementioned local partners. Moreover, we are creating internet portal and internet radio which would be run by trained journalists - volunteers willing to work and help. The other action involving “Youth Ambassadors” (also trained MDGs volunteers), who are eager to engage in activities related to development education, is to create an international platform gathering 40 non governmental organizations from partner countries. Furthermore, we plan to organize debates in target countries on MDGs with the participation of experts, politicians and also the youth. Other actions in the project include street happenings, debates at universities and colleges and meetings with secondary school students. The aim is to reach youth from various backgrounds and raise awareness about MDGs.

All activities relating to the project will be reported on the internet website www.youth4world.com from 01/06/2008.

DOSSIER

The youth department of the EU has published a brochure presenting projects aiming at enhancing the participation of young people with fewer opportunities. The brochure is the outcome of a cooperation process where European policy makers and practitioners have learnt from each other through direct contact and practical cooperation. All EU Member States were represented in this so-called peer-learning exercise.

In addition to meetings between governmental representatives, more than 100 international, regional and local NGOs were involved in a conference with the same theme in March 2008, and around 150 young members of European youth associations were consulted at the Youth event organised by the Slovenian Presidency. The results of the whole exercise are presented in the brochure "Good practice in the youth field".

LITTLE VOICES

From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others... for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.

Albert Einstein