International/European

Network of organisations

Calculate Sustainable - Start Green Economy!

City: Savsat
- Country: Turkey

English

Seminar

The main theme of this year Summer Camp was holistic perspective of Green Economics and the role of the Youth in implementing the key concepts of Ecological Economics reaching Sustainable Development. In order to explore green economy we started from understanding the system, analyses of the system and possibilities to change a system. We talked about present economical system, international economical relations and different options for creating sustainable economy. We also covered several topics such climate change, rural and urban sustainable development, gender and youth perspective on economical development. Several things made this camp different than others. For the first time we organized gender session in the evening program on the request by some participants. During the session, in safe space atmosphere groups discussed what are the causes of different level of participation between genders, how much is sex/gender important within participation and how does it personally affect participants. The location of the camp was extraordinary as we have been in the far east mountains of Turkey. The location was hard to reach and even though participants had along trip for all of them as they stated it was amazing and unique experience. Working conditions were very good and general group atmosphere excellent despite the accommodation differences. Furthermore we organized street action in order to support local people in their protests. Which as well was new and different experience for all of us as street action in Turkey is not easy to organize. Methods that we used in program were well balanced mixture of lectures, discussion groups, role plays and workshops.

Participants brought a variety of cultural and social backgrounds, sharing their experiences and enriching other participant's knowledge, thus contributing largely to acknowledgement of European dimension of Summer camp. Diversity was a stimulation for a dialogue and debate on pan-European and global problems of international economic relations and sustainability. The Council of Europe and the European Youth Foundation was presented within International youth work session where we discussed opportunities and the common issues that young people and youth work are facing working on European level.

Concept of this programme gave a chance to participants to interact and to learn more about each other's culture and country. We organized getting to know each other games, group building games and expectation games. Important element of intercultural learning were two international evenings where participants had time to present their country culture, meals and drinks. Everyone can took part presenting its background and sharing interesting cultural aspects of their country. As well we organised presentations of the participants’ organizations where everyone could present their organisations and activities they are involved with.

Educational activities were organized in accordance with principles of non formal education. During the seminar we used various educational methods such as: get to know each other games, lectures, discussions, workshops, presentations on different issues, open space technology for identifying future projects, intercultural evenings, energizer games. Main ones are the lectures: Back to begin with: Systematic thinking; Economical failures and current situation; Green Economy ideals vs Green New deal; Climate change, and workshops: What does it mean to be green; Global trade; Talk show debate; Workshops – Youth, Rural, Urban; Gender workshop; International youth work

Yes

Next to Compass we used Project management and Financial management T-kits during preoperational phase. It helped to develop project itself but also to increase knowledge and skills of prep team members that did not had, or had less experience.

Yes

We used Compass for several sessions that we organized. Workshops dedicated to Youth and Gender issues that were by aims matching our program. As being detailed explained with recourses needed, time line, tips for facilitators it was easier to implement them.

Durukan Dudu begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Turkey, 25, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CDN Executive Committee member Joel Wardenga, Germany, 19, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Young Greens of Germany Marina Pejovic, Serbia, 23, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Serbian Green Youth Jan Labohy, Czech Rapublic, 25, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Czech Young Greens Maria Dokupilova, Slovakia, 24, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Federation of Young European Greens Executive Committee member Stevan Petrovic, Serbia, June 11, 1982, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CDN Office Milan Mitrovic, Serbia, May, 28 1982, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , CDN Office

A first preparatory meeting was held from 18 to 21 June 2010 in the Young Greens’ office in Turkey. A second meeting was held prior to the seminar itself, from 15 to 18 of July. Additionally, the prep team had many Skype conferences throughout the preparatory period. We also communicated through a mailing list.

Call for prep team members Application form – prep team Call for participants Application form – participants Agenda of the prep team meeting Aims and objectives Draft Agenda Final Agenda Concept of the programme Info sheet Contact and rules Camp orientation map Travel claim form Evaluation form General financial rules

During the event we had reflection groups led by prep team members. We organized evaluation session with on the last afternoon where the seminar was evaluated and general conclusions were made on the personal achievements reached during the event. Furthermore, participants filled evaluation forms. Day after the camp prep team met for an evaluation meeting. Few examples of evaluation forms are attached as well as overall summary of evaluation forms.

All of the participants as well as some of the lecturers were involved in the evaluation. With previously named methods we involved everyone in this process and organized an evaluation session during which we also discussed technical issues and preparation work. After the seminar the CDN Executive Committee had evaluation on the meeting where we discussed results achieved and possible follow up.

The summer camp had a strong influence on participants. The topic of the summer camp is actual and important in context of global economic situation. The feedback we got from the participants is showing that the project had strong influence on them. For CDN project was relevant in terms of improving communication, education and understanding among various Member organizations and partners, particularly Federation of Young European Greens.

Management of the event had its upps and downs, especially concerning the accommodation in tents and transportation to the summer camp location. At the end of the seminar we agreed that the organization of the seminar was good and that we managed to accomplish our most important goals. The previous experience and skills of the prep team members, CDN and FYEG EC members were a crucial premise for the proper implementation of the project.

We used many methods of non-formal education: various workshops in small groups, lectures, discussion, interactive games, energizers, ice-breaking games, team-building activities. Prep team did a good work with facilitation and implementation of activities and support from some of the Executive Committee members of CDN and FYEG was vital concerning the number of participants.

During the event we covered many topics in frame of Green economy, such as gender, youth, rural and urban issues. The lectures raised a lot of discussions and opposing stands which gave additional value to the camp. However, some of the participants expressed that they preferred if they could have time to keep focus on just few and have more input and discussions about the different topics we tried to cover.

Even though the participants were coming form various social and cultural backgrounds, for all of the participants the topic was relevant, encouraging and motivating for future work and cooperation. Throughout the seminar, we had a high level of participation of almost all participants, possibly due to successful group-building and interactive methods. We still faced challenges regarding varying levels of prior knowledge among the participants. The prep team believes that we managed to reach all participants in different ways and help them develop their skills, knowledge and motivation.

The work of the organisation in general, and especially in organising this summer camp was positively evaluated and characterized as skilled and professional in organising events. The Summer Camp raised level of knowledge on the subject among member organizations and will improve political work and participation of member organizations. Communication and contacts sharing is improved and CDN is strengthen as a Network. This Summer Camp was very beneficial experience for CDN in terms of organizing the accommodation on more sustainable and nature friendly way.

We made significant and strong impact on local community in the area. The street action and excursion was supported with more than 200 people from area and as they stated support that we gave to them they find very useful. For participants, the interaction with people from community was a interesting and significant intercultural experience.

The travel to the location of the event was particularly long and hard to reach. However, participants found it interesting and amazing experience as they traveled together in large groups in our organization. Location itself and interaction with people from mountain villages gave additional value to the camp and unforgettable experience for participants. The group atmosphere and communication among participants was excellent.

CDN is growing and presently having two working groups and planning several more. We need good planning and coordination of how working groups can contribute to seminars, as Gender working group did important contribution to this one. Further more we wish to have bigger focus on facilitation of follow up of the events.

The participants have been added to the CDN general e-lists with their approval and they receive information about upcoming events and seminars, organised by CDN, by its member organisations or by its partners. Photos, videos and texts that were created during the conference will be printed and published on line and on the CD aiming to support future activities by participants and organisation to continue the work we have started.

With this seminar CDN is continuing to support the cooperation and growth of Member Organizations and developing network of partners. The host organizations had a valuable experience and their involvement on international level is increasing. Their members gained valuable organizing skills and useful contacts for future cooperation. CDN gained solid base for policies on green economy which we plan to take further and lobby for. The evaluation and its conclusions provide a good base for future activities.

It is already visible from Member organizations and partners activities that they will keep working about these same topics. This is a very positive aspect as gives sustainability to the project. CDN is planning to contribute and support these activities of Member organizations by knowledge sharing and documents producing. Furthermore we are developing a special section of the web site in order to publish all documents, presentations and texts offered by experts and prep team members.

During the Summer camp we had a special session about Council of Europe’s support. Participants know more now and will spread the information. We recommended T-KITs to all participants. CDN will keep organising seminars on the priorities of the Council of Europe which also coincide with some of the priorities of CDN's annual work plan. We are organizing Study session in EYC Budapest “Youth culture and pARTicipation” in December this year, seminar in Armenia “Peace, Reconciliation, Diversity: a Youth path” in spring 2011 and planning Summer camp for 2011.

We are very pleased about the fact that we established cooperation with Turkish Green party members as lecturers being president of Turkish Green Party and International Secretary. We hope that contact established will be valuable partner in international work with European green community Furthermore, for Turkish Young Greens contacts establish in the area with informal groups of citizens are important and their cooperation is still on-going concerning problems with building of the hydro power plants.

CDN Summer Camp Statement Press release by Turkish Young Greens Joint press release by Federation of Young European Greens and Turkish Young Greens Article by participant published in Macedonian NGO magazine: http://issuu.com/vcsvoices/docs/septvoices

Links for the articles in Turkish papers from street action: http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/?hn=160004 http://www.ulusalkanal.com.tr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15999:artvnde-hes-protestosu&catid=51:yurt-haberler&Itemid=171 http://www.kalitelihayat.com/haber/artvinde-uluslararasi-hes-protestosu-51423.htm http://www.ebmhaber.com/detay/35920/genc-yesillerden-savsatta-eylem.htm http://www.takagazete.com/haber.php?id=41501

Yes

Sufficient

Essential for the project

The EYF is one of your regular partners

We used standard procedure for the participants with open call for participations, application form and selection based on the qualities stressed before by the prep team. Concerning the fact that accommodation was organized in hotel rooms and tents we had extra question about accommodation preferences. Selection procedure was done without taking into consideration accommodation preferences but based on the motivation and openness to learn further, meet new people and interest in the issue and further cooperation within CDN. We aimed to reach range of practice and acquaintance of participants by choosing young people with dissimilar backgrounds and diverse education level.

Please indicate the number of participants from each Council of Europe Member State or signatory to the European Cultural Convention :

n/a

n/a

same as preparatory team

Dr. Ümit Şahin, Co-spokesperson, Yeşiller Partisi, (Green Party of Turkey) Ahmet Atıl AŞICI, International Secretary, Yeşiller Partisi (Green Party of Turkey) Durukan Dudu begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Prep team member Joel Wardenga, Prep team member

Web site visits other then ours: 400 E lists info: 300 Street action: People participated with us: 200-300 In directly reached: around 5000 – 10000 (people in the region) and many more through media reports