Presented by: Shift Network (Euro-Arab Youth Initiative) & Earth Charter International
Why a Euro-Arab youth forum?
European and Arab young people face common challenges about sustainable development, but have very different ways of understanding and viewing it, especially in regards to environmental, economic and social sectors, as well as the achievement of human rights, including access to education, decent employment, migration and gender equality. In this context the aim for this cooperation is to promote peace and social justice, through stronger cooperation at a bi-regional level by fostering intercultural dialogue and enhancing the exchange of experiences amongst European and Arab youth. To achieve this, we will be using the Earth Charter that will serve as an ethical framework towards building a more just, sustainable and peaceful world.
Purpose
The problems of today’s world are more complex than ever, they are highly interconnected and interdependent. We face climate change, vast exploitation of natural resources, population growth, growing gap between rich and poor, and social inequity, among many other challenges. To be able to respond to these challenges future leaders need a new and innovative interdisciplinary approach. At a time when major changes in how we think and live are urgently needed, we challenge them to examine our values and to choose a better way. This approach calls upon us to search for common ground in the midst of our diversity and to embrace a new ethical vision shared by growing numbers of people in many nations and cultures throughout the world. What we need are sustainability leaders.
Overall Objective
Young people in the Euro-Arab region promote and contribute to the transition to sustainable ways of living and to a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.
Stage One:
Stage One will take place online through Earth Charter International’s online platform, which will provide an interactive, creative and innovative space for the participants to work together.
This stage will consist of 4 sessions once a week for two hours each and the projected start date is February 28th, 2012.
Session One: Youth sustainability leadership
This session introduces the Earth Charter using Donella Meadows’s approach on visioning for a sustainable future.
Session Two: Intercultural Dialogue | Intercultural Communicative Competence
Through the process of dialogue we will build the basis for mutual understanding and demonstrate how Intercultural Dialogue can contribute towards the construction of a more peaceful world.
Session Three: Sustainable ways of living
All of us leave traces wherever we go; our ecological footprints depend on our lifestyles. Through this course, participants can be guided to choose a better way. Transition is possible!
Session Four: Planning for Sustainable Action Projects
A key lesson from successful stories is that the pursuit of sustainable development requires innovation in the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’. Now the course participants will present their own intercultural ideas!
Stage Two*:
Stage two will take place from May 1st-6th, 2012 in Alexandria, Egypt, where the participants will meet each other and be able to present their projects and continue the intercultural dialogue they started virtually.
We chose Alexandria because it is home to the famous Alexandria Bibliotheca and therefore an ideal place for young people to come together to have an intercultural dialogue.
There will also be a fair for NGO and youth initiatives from the Euro-Arab region who are interested in intercultural dialogue and are able to represent their work and future projects by providing a live platform for Networking.
*Full cost of Accommodation during 2nd stage in Alexandria, Egypt will be covered, 70% of travel fees will be refunded.
Criteria for individual applications:
- Age range: 18-25 years old
- Good proficiency in English.
- People with Interest to know other cultures.
- Be Interested to learn about other cultures.
Individual Application link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFR3YjFvUEc4Y1NCaHpBc056blIwWGc6MQ
Deadline : 18/2/2012
Criteria for organizational applications:
- Organizations interested in the field of intercultural dialogue that are located within the Euro-Arab region)
Each organization will be able to recommend one representative for the first stage, and a maximum of 3 representatives for the 2nd stage in Alexandria!
Organizations Application link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDhMbTlVejJmeldUU1E2WEdLWEJtZ3c6MQ
Deadline : 18/2/2012
For any inquires please contact :
Euro-Arab Team:
[email protected]
Karim Gaber
President of Shift-Network
Euro-Arab youth initiative
[email protected]
Nora Mahmoud
International youth coordinator
Earth charter organization
[email protected]
Main Partners:
Partner Organizations:
