European Youth Forum 2011
"Interacting Diversity"
August 8-14, 2011 in Berlin, Germany
| Reports | Pictures | Program | Venue | Partner |
| Reports | Participants' experience reports are available under Reports on this web page. |
| Pictures | More pictures of the forum are available here. |
| Participants |
Thirty international participants divided in five groups of five students each (ages 15-17) accompanied by five group leaders represented the following countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Republic of Macedonia, Romania and Russia. |
| Venue |
Youth Hostel Berlin Wannsee, Germany - www.jh-wannsee.de |
| Partner | Kreativhaus- Berlin, Germany www.kreativhaus-tpz.de |
The 2011 European Youth Forum (EYF) took place in Berlin, Germany, August 8-14, bringing together students ages 15-17 from all over Europe. Students attended the conference in groups of five, accompanied by one group leader. View photos from the EYF on PTPI’s Facebook Page.
REPORTS
Monday, August 8
Participants arrived on Monday, August 8. In the evening, they participated in a number of games to get to know each other and break the ice. They also learned more about People to People International.
Tuesday, August 9
The second day of the EYF was dedicated to teambuilding. Participants discussed their fears and expectations, and games helped to break the ice and build relationships. In the afternoon, the group visited Berlin and completed a quest in five small international teams. The teams approached and interacted with people in the city as part of the quest, while at the same time visiting the main sites of Berlin, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, Sony Center and Reichstag.
"Sometimes we tend to think in opposites, but not today, not this week. This week we want to find out how Peace through Understanding works. On Monday, everybody had a box of emotions in their stomach on the way to the EYF, but today it’s better. We tried somehow to put a spell on us when we left home, just to be sure that everything will be perfect, bu
t now we don’t need any spell at all.Our souls are happy now! The atmosphere here is great, the people are also great. We visited Berlin, we made friends and we have already many memories to keep and stories to tell. I’m sure that some of us will keep those memories in their hearts. At first it seems difficult to communicate with each other, but as friends we can do it. Remember: it’s never simple! Step by step, everything will be easier and we will be able to develop a theatre play together, as a team. Maybe this is the gentle persuasion for our brains and souls. However,we enjoy the moment as much as possible because nothing ever lasts. At the end of the week, we will be separated and for sure we will miss our mates. Anyway, I’m proud to announce to you that the European Youth Forum rolls!"
- Diana Lapusneanu, Romania
"Berlin, Germany. It’s the place which will leave you with only one word – WOW! Sightseeing in the foregin country is the first thing that everyone does after unpacking their luggage and of course this was the first thing we did. While being in several groups, everyone saw the most important places and monuments in Berlin. The places which make Berlin what it is. Even though those buildings and monuments all have their unique architechture and their history, I would say that one place, or, to be more precise, one memorial, had the greatest impact on me and I believe that I was not the only one: The Holocaust Memorial. I think that this is the place, which one can not describe with words. One has to see it. To feel it.
If you go to this memorial you have to pass a place which you just cannot ignore because of its structure, architecture and tallness: Brandenburg Gate. While people all over the world gather at this gate you can just stand in the center, gaze at the top of the gate, and understand the whole history of it. The gate was more or less was the separator of western and eastern Berlin (though the wall was built near the gate). And last but not least, a memorial that really is worth seeing is the Pieces of the Wall. Yes, the Berlin Wall that was destroyed in 1989. The wall that was seperating friends, families, sisters and brothers from each other. When one sees the wall, he/she will feel the emotion that people had while standing on the different sides of the wall. The most impressive thing was the chewing gum. But lets leave the story of the chewing gum for the future…because maybe someday you will see it too."
- Shmagi Liklikadze, Georgia
Wednesday, August 10
"As big fans of events for young people, we were very very happy when we were accepted to attend the EYF 2011. Today was our Intercultural Day, so the main purpose was to exchange experiences about one another’s cultures. During the morning session, we were discussing customs and traditions in our countries. The morning energizer helped us to open our eyes and ears widely and learn more about the five different countries of origin represented at the EYF. Then we discussed the term “culture” and discovered the “iceberg model of culture”.
For the second session, we had an intercultural PTPI World Cafe where we exchanged ideas and information about differences and similarities in our countries regarding school, community, holidays, family and free time activities. We liked the idea of learning more about the habits in our cultures while at the same time enjoying coffe, tea and delicious German cookies. We would like to suggest to the organizors for the next year to leave even more time for this activity, because in our opinion it was of crucial importance for us. We got a chance to finally learn our names and understand our diverse cultures.
The third session was the beginning of our theatre activity. It prepared us for our final theatre show. We all had to create a sketch about certain aspects of our countries and cultures. This was in fact very connected to the previous activities and was the beginning of our “acting career” in Berlin. We enjoyed it, especially the comments and critics of our theater specialist Martina, who was very helpful. We hope our final show will be way better than our first show. We love PTPI’s EYF 2011!"
- Ena Peeva and Zoran Stojkov, Macedonia
Thursday, August 11
"Last night we had our intercultural party. We tasted the national cuisine of each country and presented some information about our cultures. The Russian team started with a presentation of different famous dance styles in Russia: two folk dances (Tsiganochka), belly dance, classic dance. In the end, everyone joined in dancing Kalinka Malinka. The Macedonians did a great job to introduce their culture. We especially enjoyed the special wedding tradition they demonstrated. The Bulgarian delegation showed us their songs and dances, which some of us recognized as being close to our own culture. The Georgian group taught us a traditional song and showed a humorous performance about how their country came to exist. The Romanians scared us at first with their Dracula performance, but then they explained the true story behind the legend. Again we ended up dancing together. Suddenly, we felt no longer isolated. Each team contributed a piece of their culture and we felt like one family.
Energizers inspire our action. This morning, we started with one called “stop and action.” Everyone could contribute and lead in this game. This made us all feel part of one big team. Every day we get closer and it’s so much fun.
Slowly we are discovering our stars, but we all work hard to prepare for performing a great play on Saturday. Even though we all want to be good performers, what really counts is making the effort and becoming friends. We very much enjoyed working on our theater play today and liked our roles. Our international blues music group is especially creative and loves improvisation, which is important on the stage.
We now feel that diversity becomes part of our intercultural understanding."
- Tsvetoslava Trayanova, Bulgaria and Darina Alekseeva, Russia
Friday, August 12
"Yesterday night after dinner, we went on an evening excursion to Potsdam, a small, beautiful German city, located just a few train stops from our hostel. The city is breathing with calmness, authenticity and royalty. It has the most beautiful palace we have ever seen, Schloss Sans Souci. An imposing park with beautiful statues and fountains surrounds it. The only comment we all have is that King Friedrich II really knew how to relax.
After a tour through the parks and gardens, we walked to the city centre of Potsdam, going through the Brandenburg Gate, which is smaller, but older than the one in Berlin. We found out that the city centre was the perfect place for giving out invitations to our Saturday Show. We had taken flyers and were handing them out to people we met. Before leaving, we stopped in a cute little cafe, to have a drink and talk about the impressions Potsdam left on us.
Today is our fourth and most pressured day of the EYF 2011. The final rehearsals for tomorrow’s theater show in the Kreativhaus are happening today. So we are all preparing our roles and giving our best to present them in the most convincing way possible. Our dearest theater expert, Martina is helping us improving our roles and preparing a real spectacle for Saturday. She is so patient, that she deserves a gold medal for working with young people. Our group leaders are also here to help us and we are all working together."
- Ena Peeva, Macedonia
Saturday, August 13
"Have you ever met that old gentleman that passes and never comes back, and his name is Mr. Time? I’m sure you have. We also met him this week in Berlin. I saw him for a second and then…he ran away like a shadow. One day it was Monday and in a few seconds is Saturday. It’s like a spell. Anyway, the sad thing is that we will never be able to have a ticket to go back to the past. So, live this moment like it is your last one because Mr. Time doesn’t have feelings.
Today we performed the play. In a few hours we will leave this place and maybe some of us will draw a line in our minds. Don’t feel sorry for the moments when you have done mistakes.This is so wrong…to waste time thinking about useless things. Martina (the theater director) will forgive you anyway because she has a great heart. No matter what happens she will understand that maybe you were nervous or maybe a stupid thing doesn’t allow your brain to concentrate. Advice: be brave! Breathe at least a pinch of life in those words you are saying on the stage and everything will be perfect.
This week is about to finish and we feel sorry about this. We had really special moments here. I hope that Verena and Lars (the PTPI Europe staff) are feeling the same way too. An idea would be that we should talk to Mr. Time. We should stop him in our favourite second… forever maybe.
Thank you, guys for such a week. It was brilliant! I learned a lot of useful things and I will miss you so much. We had a great time developing the play. I hope we managed to keep the bar of expectations that the participants before us have set. During this week, each person gave 21 grams of soul to find out what Peace through Understanding means. I hope everyone has succeded. Goodbye, Berlin! Goodbye Verena and Lars!"
- Diana Lapusneanu, Romania
"The morning started with great difficulty. The thought that it’s all going to end today made us want to never get out of bed. The friends that we made, the atmosphere full of nothing but knowledge, love and art – in other words, this small paradise that we created in the heart of Germany was something that none of us wanted to let go of. To all this grief added the pressure of the piece de resistance of the whole forum, because today we would finally perform the theatre sketch which we had been assiduously planning and rehearsing for the last two days.
But there was still one thing which made our heart beat, our legs twitch and slowly crawl out of bed – the idea of spending one more day within paradise theatre. And this was a good decision, because the play went like a charm, and I swear that when the lights turned on and the applause started, I have never seen people more radiant with joy than this group of 25 teenagers. Suddenly, the grief of saying goodbye vanished in the ambush of smiles, all of us realizing that no goodbye can ever take away what we have experienced here and that our paradise will last forever in our hearts. I stand here with great pride as a leader of five such participants, but more importantly, as a witness to the miracle that PTPI has created for us, through us."
- Vadim Toader, Romania
Sunday, August 14
Participants departed after breakfast.
PICTURES
PROGRAM
Monday, August 8: Arrival and Welcome Evening
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Tuesday, August 9: Build an international team
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:00-10:30 | Icebreaker, name game, expectations and presentation of program |
| 10:30-12:30 | Interactive teambuilding exercise |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30-19:00 | Berlin quest: "Here we come!"- Excursion |
| 20:00-22:30 | City walk in Berlin |
| 22:30-22:45 | Reflection time in the room with host leader |
Wednesday, August 10: Open your mind to intercultural learning
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:00-10:30 | Energizer, Presentation of Berlin Quest results, Iceberg Model of Culture |
| 10:30-12:30 | PTPI Café "Our Culture" |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30-15:30 | Energizer, Sketching Dos and Don'ts of our cultures |
| 15:30-18:00 | Defining stereotype, prejudice and discrimination |
| 18:00-19:00 | Dinner |
| 19:30-22:00 | Intercultural party |
| 22:30-22:45 | Reflection time in your room with your host leader |
Thursday, August 11: Develop the Theater Play
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Friday, August 12: Finalize the Theater Play
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Saturday, August 13: Perform your Theater Play
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:00 | Departure for Kreativhaus in Berlin |
| 10:00-12:30 | Preparations for the performance and rehearsal |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch at Kreativhaus |
| 14:00-16:30 | Preparations continue |
| 16:30-17:00 | Market of possibilities at Kreativhaus |
| 17:00-18:00 | Performance at Kreativhaus |
| 18:00-21:00 | Dinner at Café Coco, Evaluations and surprise |
| 21:00-22:00 | Return to hostel |
| 22:00-00:00 | When-we-will-meet-again-Party |
| 00:00-00:15 | Room checks and farewell of host leader |
Sunday, August 14: Departure
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:30 | Departure |
VENUE
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Youth Hostel Berlin Wannsee Badeweg 1 14129 Berlin Phone: +49 30 8032034 Fax: +49 30 8035908 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.jh-wannsee.de |
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PARTNER
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KREATIVHAUS Berlin Fischerinsel 3 10179 Berlin Phone: +49 30 238091 - 3 Fax: +49 30 238091 - 50 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.kreativhaus-tpz.de |
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