Intercultural Youth Meeting 2011
4th – 10th September 2011 in Vienna
42 children from eight Central and Eastern European Countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine) met in Vienna to learn more about integration and motivation for Learning.
The group was accommodated on Wilhelminenberg in the outskirts of Vienna, where a perfect surrounding was found to host the children for one week. The children listened to lectures and had the possibility to approach the topics in small groups in a playful way. They found out what professions they would like to take up and how important education is to reach this goal and to be accepted in society. It was astonishing to watch, how the children grew more self confident from day to day, they spoke about their future aspirations, their wishes, their current situation. The working atmosphere was extremely open and characterized by tolerance and mutual understanding. During freetime, the children had the opportunity to participate in several workshops – mucis, dance, creation of fashion, football. A common highlight was the presentation of the results of these workshops to a broader public.
To get an impression of Vienna, the children spent one afternoon in the Schönbrunn Zoo park and in the city of Vienna, which was an exceptional experience for the children.
All participants – children, carers, volunteers and staff – all are going back with a strong feeling of solidarity and togetherness and impressions that will stay forever.
Some impressions after the children arrived back home:
Jaroslav:
The camp was great. I learned to speak Russian, which is the fifth language in the world! I would like to develop it, that‘s why I signed to language school, where I will speak Russian. When I will speak Russian very well I would speak with a lot of different people, who will teach me new things. In the camp I got to know a lot of good people who like to help and I would also like to help people, to have better lives.
In that case I want to become a politician. I know I have to educate myself, like they were speaking on the camp and I will do and once I will become a good and honest politician, who will help a lot of people and will be proud of himself. I learned here, that every person is born equal and for that I shouldn´t compare people, to see, where they are different. In the opposite, I should help them, to feel better with me. I would be also glad, if the camp will take place again and I could experience and learn something new, what will be useful in my life.
Ayhan :
“A few months ago the teacher from the home work club told me that I was selected to participate in an international youth meeting in Vienna, and we will travel by plane. I could not believe that this will happen to me. But the time unconsciously passed and on September 4, I was already in Vienna. The first day I felt quite confused because we were based outside of the city. But suddenly the next day everything changed. I participated in all games that the hosts offered, I learned about integration, assimilation and the importance of education in my life, and last but not least I felt liked.
I liked very much the football tournament, music and girls’ dance show, as well as all other games. I visited the most beautiful, largest zoo I’ve seen so far. I had the opportunity to see the most beautiful city in Europe. The best evening for me was the farewell evening; because we had a lot of fun and we realized what friendship get between us all. The only thing I did not like is the end of this event. “
