Training course “Youth exchanges management 
and youth information” 
(In the frame of the project "Balkan Identity and Youth Information Policy", 
Action A.5 of Youth programme of EU)
 
Sofia, Bulgaria, 01.09.2001 – 07.09.2001

SCAS, 10 Narodno sabranie sq., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria,
phone/fax: +359 2 9870293, fax: + 359 2 9877477
e-mail: course@scas.acad.bg, URL: www.scas.acad.bg

The training course “Youth exchanges management and youth information” is a part of the long-term project "Balkan identity and youth information policy" and will support an establishment of “Balkan youth information network”.

The context of "Balkan identity and youth information policy":

The integration process in South–Eastern Europe and the European integration are closely related. The recent political, economical and cultural transformations in whole Eastern Europe and especially on the Balkans have changed the European map, have broken the old links, stereotypes and visions. The whole set of significant changes and inter-influences in the Balkan region aroused the problem of the identity. The European integration of the region posted a lot of questions related to the identity preservation. The networking process of the Balkans and the establishment of strong links between this region and the other European countries could be stimulated by using the potential of youth information and youth exchanges and involving the modern media. Youth information and youth exchanges are also important instruments for promoting tolerance, understanding and intercultural approach in South–Eastern countries.

All the problematic settings of situation described above and the significant problems in organizing youth exchanges and voluntary services on Balkans have strongly motivated us to seek for tools and measures to overcome those problems and to enhance the abilities of youth organizations from South-Eastern Europe to organize youth projects. 

The training course “Youth exchanges management and youth information” will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria from 01.09.2001 to 07.09.2001. The training course will give an opportunity to young people from European youth organisations and information centers to share experience about youth information policy and youth exchanges management. It will try to enhance the active participation of young people in the integration process and to stimulate them to think about their identity and their place in the modern society. 

The objectives of the training course are: 
-	To focus the attention of  young people on the role of youth information and youth exchanges in the integration process;
-	To  explore youth information and modern media as instruments for future development of youth exchanges and European voluntary services; 
-	To enhance the ability of the youth organisations in the pre–accession countries in South - Eastern Europe to organise European Voluntary Services and youth exchanges;
-	To encourage the development of youth information policy in the Balkan region using the European experience;
-	To  explore youth information as tool against violence and intolerance (comparing European experience and Balkan experience);
-	To give an opportunity to young people to discuss the problems of Balkan identity and to exchange ideas about  the disintegration and integration process in South-Eastern Europe;
-	To show the ways of enhancing the youth participation in the society;

The training course “Youth exchanges management and youth information” will train young people: 1/ how to use modern media and communications in youth work 2/ how to use the methods of open & distance multimedia learning in youth work 3/ how to organize youth exchanges 4/ how to organise European Voluntary Services 5/ how to use intercultural learning in the international youth projects 6/ others. 

Almost all of the expenses will be covered by the hosting organization SCAS (for details see the “costs” section bellow) and this is a great opportunity to meet and exchange information.

The main training and information exchange methods will be lectures, discussions, meetings, confrontation games, workshops, and exhibitions.  

Target group: 

1/ Young people working in youth organizations or youth information centers and using new media and communications in their work; 

2/ Young people form youth organization organizing youth exchanges and/or EVS events and working on international level;

3/ Disadvantaged young people who would like to use modern media & information technologies in their work;

4/ Young people from youth organizations willing to organize common activities with partners from South - Eastern Europe;

Deadline for receiving the application forms: 20.07.2001

Working languages: English and Bulgarian.

Dates and place: Sofia from 01.09.2001 to 07.09.2001.  
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and the biggest city, near the beautiful mountain Vitosha. 

Hosting organization and supporters:

Hosting organization is the National association- Student Computer Art Society /SCAS/, Bulgaria. The training course “Youth exchanges management and youth information” (in the frame of the project "Balkan Identity and Youth Information Policy") is supported by Youth programme of the EU (Action 5.1). The event is also supported by SCAS. The training course is developed in partnership with a lot of organizations and institutions (more information about the program and organizers will be sent to the selected participants).

Costs and reimbursements: 

-	board and lodging are provided by the hosting organization and are covered by the project budget;
-	80% of the travel expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of the most economic transport fairs (APEX, student fare etc.); Also there are limitations for the travel reimbursements, depending on the country and the distance (detailed table will be send to the selected participants). In principle, the biggest compensation for the travel costs will be up to 350 EUR (but 80% of the costs).  
-	Participation fee is 60 EUR for Western European Countries and 30 EUR for Eastern European countries (former socialist countries); The fee will be deducted from the travel reimbursement;

Application and selection of participants:

-	Please, send filled application form (by fax, post or e-mail) to the address of SCAS; All the applications must be received before the deadline;
-	Participants will be selected by the Organizing Committee of the event on the base of: 1/Different geographical areas and organizations; 2/ Experience, expectations and training needs; 3/According to the above described profile of participants and the rules of “Youth Programme”; 4/According to the project partners proposals.

The accepted candidates will receive more detailed information and confirmation of their participation till 01.08.2001.

The DEADLINE for receiving the applications (by fax, post or E-mail): 20.07.2001

Address:
SCAS, 10 Narodno sabranie sq., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria,
phone/fax: +359 2 9870293, fax: + 359 2 9877477
e-mail: course@scas.acad.bg, URL: www.scas.acad.bg