Het Europese jongerennetwerk van de kerken zoekt jonge mensen die het leuk vinden om mee te doen met een internationale training in Minsk getiteld ‘Taking Steps Towards an Ecologically Responsible Society’. De bijeenkomst vindt plaats van 24 juni tot1 juli 2012.
Er is Europese subsidie voor het project en het resterende basisbedrag (vijftig euro in dit geval) wordt gedragen door de lidkerk c.q. de Raad van Kerken, zodat deelnemers zelf kunnen volstaan met eigen zakgeld en de organisatie van één en ander. Het is mogelijk om te reageren tot 15 april a.s.
De voertaal tijdens de bijeenkomst is Engels. Vanuit Nederland vragen we aan deelnemers vooraf een korte biografie die we mogen gebruiken om melding te maken van de participatie, zowel aan de lidkerk als op de website. Na afloop vraagt de Raad een kort verslag (zeg ongeveer 600 woorden) van de ervaringen, wat zowel voor interne feedback wordt gebruikt als voor publicatie op de website.
Geïnteresseerden vinden hieronder een deel van de omschrijving die organisator EYCE (Jongerenorganisatie van de Europese Kerken) heeft gestuurd. Zie ook de website van EYCE. Men kan meer informatie vragen bij Christine Jansone (general.secretary@eyce.org), bij de Nederlandse contactpersoon van EYCE Maaike de Reuver (maaikedereuver@gmail.com) of bij het bureau van de Raad van Kerken in Nederland (rvk@raadvankerken.nl)
FRAGMENT ENGELSE INTRODUCTIE:
We would like to invite you to nominate candidates for the upcoming training course “Taking Steps Towards Ecologically Responsible Society“ to be held inMinsk,Belarus from 24th June to 1st July 2012.
1. INTRODUCTION
This training course is central event of the second year of EYCE’s Campaign to Promote Ecological Justice. EYCE’s 3-year Campaign to Promote Ecological Justice has been launched in 2011. For the second year of the campaign it is important to look beyond the immediately visible, which brings us to the following questions: how can habits, policies, products, which are hindering the ideas of ecological justice, be recognised? In which way can we as young people influence policy making processes? How can we address and influence ways of excessive consumption, excessive exploitation and cultivation of the earth and its natural resources, as well as excessive economic growth in general? What are the possibilities for all of us to become more aware of the causes and consequences of processes such as poverty, unsustainable manufacturing, bio-piracy, greenwashing and others? How can we promote the solidarity and justness of fair labour, fair trade, migrants’ rights and renewable energies?
Moreover, for EYCE as a community of young Christians it is important to link these processes and look for answers in our faith. How can we promote more solidarity among peoples? What needs to be done to reach modesty in consumption? How can one’s conveniences be diminished or overcome in order to allow people who live in other continents and are severely affected by the climate change, to lead a life that is appropriate to their dignities as our sisters and brothers?
In order to disclose all of these processes for young people around Europe and to raise awareness of the issues mentioned in churches inEuropeand globally, the second year of the campaign will more specifically review and analyse ecological justice in the framework of various links. Within this scope we would like to explore the relation between ecology, economy and politics, including reviewing ecology issues as basis for numerous conflicts.
This training course will offer participants the following:
Knowledge on various situations of ecological injustice in various contexts.
Overview and examples of basic notions and concepts of ecological justice (in relation to economics and politics).
Understanding of mechanisms influencing the processes of ecological justice, such as political negotiations and economic transactions.
Analysis of the governance and economic mechanisms of distribution of wealth and possible consequences and the outcomes of international events with a significant impact on environmental policy.
Tools and methods to address issues of ecological justice and implement concrete projects in one’s own context.
Possibility to learn from good practice examples on the local level inBelarus.
Space for exchange of experiences and good practices.
Practical tips on low-consumption lifestyle.
Opportunityto meet with young people from different countries and denominations, to share experiences and develop new friendships!
Profile of participants:
This training course is aimed at young people (age 18-30) actively engaged in their communities and coming from EYCE’s network. The participants should be open minded young people, with an initial interest and basic knowledge in issues linked to ecological justice. They should have potential to raise awareness of the themes addressed at the training course thus providing help to their sending organisations/ Churches in addressing the issues of the training course and bring meaningful and sustainable solutions. Altogether 30 participants are expected at the training course.
Arrivals and Departures:
Sunday 24th June is the day of arrival
AND
Sunday 1st July is the day of departure.
As the training course will be held inMinsk,Belarusparticipants are expected to come toMinskAirportor main train/ bus station. More detailed travel instructions will be available to the participants selected.
Please make sure to arrive/depart on exact arrival/ departure dates as the possibilities of arranging accommodation in case of early arrival and late departure will be extremely limited. We cannot arrange extra night’s accommodation unless this is absolutely necessary for reasons of travelling schedule and approved in advance by EYCE.
If needed for university or workplace, participants can be provided with a letter confirming the participation in the training course.
2. THEMES AND METHODS
The training course will be based on the non-formal learning methods. The activities will be aimed at combining theoretical input with practical experiences and training elements, as well as active contribution by the participants.
Through an interactive approaches and discussions the participants will learn about main notions of ecological justice, as well as about its various aspects links with economy and politics. Discussions in plenary and smaller groups will allow participants to share about the situations in their own counties, exchange experiences and resources.
The lectures of the guest speakers will give the participants basic concepts and framework of ecological justice, as well as focus more specifically on the various stakeholders and interactions between them regarding governance and distribution of wealth. Practical part of the training course will offer the participants various workshops on tools to address ecological justice and provide a possibility to experience the work of organisations inBelarus.
The “Challenge your lifestyle!” day will offer the possibility to reflect on the phenomenon of consumerism and day-to-day habits of participants and to experience a day of low resource consumption. Also, few creative up-cycling workshops will be offered to the participants.
A significant element of the training course will be intercultural learning, which can be experienced not only through personal encounters, but also during the International Banquet and a Cultural Night, where the participants will be invited to share their cultural heritage and traditions.
3. MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLANNING COMMITTEE (IPC)
The following persons are in the International Planning Committee of the training course:
Benjamin Mlýnek (EYCE ExecutiveCommittee,Czech Republic)
Kristîne Jansone (EYCEOffice,Latvia)
Paweù Pustelnik (Poland)
Sergej Yushkevich (Belarus)
Suvi-Tuulia Vaara (Finland)
4. PARTICIPATION FEE
The participation fee for the training course will be 50€ (Euros) including accommodation, meals and programme. Please note that this amount can only be offered because of the subsidies received from the Youth in Action Programme of the EU. Full board and lodging will be provided. More practical information will be communicated to the participants selected. (Toevoeging vanuit Nederland: dit bedrag kan gedeclareerd worden bij de eigen lidkerk via de Raad van Kerken in Nederland en wordt vergoed).
Please note that the payment of a cancellation fee of 200 € (Euros) is expected from participants who cancel their participation in the event less than 2 weeks prior to commencement of the activity.
5. APPLYING/ SELECTION CRITERIA
The application form is enclosed at the end of this document. You can also request the application form from EYCE office.
Please send your application form to applications@eyce.org or by fax +32 2 510 61 72 as soon as possible. The absolutely latest deadline for receiving applications will be
Sunday, 15th APRIL 2012, midnight CET
We kindly ask that the enclosed application is filled in using computer or clear handwriting. Sending incomplete forms, filling them in unreadable handwriting or sending them too late might mean that applications are not processed. If you fear that the application will not reach us in time, please contact the EYCE office to notify.
Up to 30 participants will be selected by the IPC to attend the event on the basis of the quality of their application. This selection will try to ensure a geographical, denominational, and gender balance.
The deadline for applications is less than two months prior to the event. This is the minimum time needed to guarantee a smooth visa application process and reasonably priced tickets. Therefore, we are forced to select participants immediately after the deadline. Right after selecting participants, those selected will receive more detailed information about the programme of the training course. Also note that participants are only accepted if they have received a written confirmation by e-mail. Please keep in mind that selected participants will have to agree on travel costs after having received the letter of acceptance. Therefore they are kindly requested to ensure e-mail access between the 23rd and 29th of April.
Foto embleem, groep van mensen die bij EYCE meedeed.