One World Association - SCI Poland, SCI Germany & International No More War Working Group invite you to the seminar:

“Trade Fair” - presentation evaluation of the activities, new ideas for extending & enhancing the future quality of cooperation
25.09 – 02.10.2016 in Poznań, Puszczykowo

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 has been 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 September - 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 27active 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.

Concept of the project

The program of the event will be divided into the following main elements:

- Peace concept and No More War - creating common understanding

- Peace activism – best/worst practices; aims/targets and challenges in peace work today

- Open space workshops – the role of media; propaganda; exchanging of competences and input of external experts

- Peace initiatives design – how to set up a successful action

- Team building

- Project visit(s)

All participants will be expected and stimulated to contribute to the discussions on the main topics. They will all be asked to present their own examples of peace work in their own country. After the opening event the promoters are expected to organize events in their home country to promote peace.

Recruitment & Selection of participants

All participants selected for this project are expected to meet the following criteria:

  • be 18 years old or older
  • be able to work in English language
  • be interested in the training topics and have strong motivation to act as multiplier in the field of promoting peace work;
  • have experience in organizing actions, initiatives and project on the topic of peace;
  • be directly involved in the work or have nomination and support (and if possible have been prepared for the project) of the eligible SCI branch or Partner organisation;
  • commit to implement the learned knowledge and skills in practice back home and implement the a piece action developed during the seminar;
  • commit to report thoroughly the content of the project to other activists of sending organisation;
  • commit to actively participate

Please register your participant(s) by filling in and sending us the form below, at the latest by 01. September. After registering, you will receive a detailed info-sheet.

We will not accept anyone who does not register via their sending organization.

Important – Those requiring visas!

It is very important that those requiring visas should register as soon as possible. We shall send official invitation by scanned email and DHL courier service.

Financial conditions of participation:

All essential costs of the programme in Poznań (including food, accommodation, and training) will be covered by OWA SCI Poland and SCI Germany.

International travel costs will be reimbursed 100% up to the following maximums:

Hungary, Poland: 180 €

Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Belarus, Kosovo, Serbia, Germany, Ukraine, Moldova, Russian Federation: 275 €

Georgia, Greece: 360 €

Reimbursement for costs of visa: Maximum 60 €

The registration fee is 50 €.

Dates and venue of the training course

The training will take place from 25th September till 2nd October 2016 (6 full working days and two days - 1 arrival 25th September and 1 departure day 2nd October.) in Poznań, Puszczykowo, Forest Training Centre (Leśny Ośrodek Szkoleniowy)

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the project, don't hesitate to contact us:

We are looking forward to your application :-)

The Prepteam

See form below….

“Trade Fair” - presentation evaluation of the activities, new ideas for extending & enhancing the future quality of cooperation
25.09 – 02.10.2016 in Poznań
APPLICATION FORM
(Please type!) Please send to your sending organisation (!)

(deadline: 1st ‘September 2016)

Surname (as written in passport)
First name / Gender:
Birth date
Nationality
Personal Address
 Phone
Home
Mobile
Email
Emergency person
Contact emergeny person (phone/mail)
Special food needs?
Passport number (if visa is required)
Language skills / Native tongue / Very good / Good / Poor
English
Sending organisation
Name of your sending organisation:
Experience
How long have you been involved in your organization and what have been your roles and tasks
Have you participated in the training "Peace & Solidarity - Make it, Don't break it!" in Berlin in January 2016?
What is your other experience in peace work or in the field of training and educational activities?
Your project or activites after the opening training
Please, describe the activities/actions you have implemented and ideas you developed after the training in Berlin.
Expectations
What are your expectations from this meeting?
Other relevant information
You can state here any other information, you would like to share, which you consider relevant for the activity.
Logistic questions / Special needs
Do you have any special needs or requirements (e.g. dietary, disability, etc.)? Please specify:

Declaration and commitment

I am fully aware that my participation in this activity is an investment of the organisers (in terms of logistic, finances, time and personal involvement of all people engaged) in my personal learning experience.

I declare that I commit myself to participate actively in the whole duration of the project.

I promise to share the experiences gained in the course with other activists within my sending organisation;

I promise to implement learned experience at the local level;

I commit to attending the training in full, with no late arrival and early departure or leaving sessions, without using phone or other electronic devices during sessions;

I read and understood text of the declaration.

Date:Signature: