Within the framework of the long-term program of International Youth Studies: Curricula, Distance learning course and Open Educational Materials /InYouS/ initiated by the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia and supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, the Georgian capital, Tbilisi hosted “How to make lessons for Youth Workers” Training Course.
The goal of the project was to develop skills of youth workers, to study the methodology of youth work, to learn the peculiarities of non-formal education and to find ways to promote the recognition of youth work.
During the course, team work was also highlighted, through which the participants developed communication, negotiation, analysis and a range of other skills.
Dr. Atom Mkhitaryan, the president of Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia, underlining the importance of working with partners notes that “a joint youth studies course will be useful for youth workers in any country. It can also be used by lecturers working in the formal education systems, which will increase the effectiveness of their training by using non-formal learning methods and using the distance learning platform”.
The project coordinator of “International Youth Studies” and International Secretary of FYCA, Diana Yeghiazaryan is satisfied with the results of the project underlining that “the training course was one of the intensive ones for those youth workers, who wanted to deepen their knowledge on youth worker’s competences, non-formal and formal education methodology combination, project management and youth active participation. This was the 2nd step of the InYouS project, as a result of which the participants developed several Modules of youth worker’s distance learning course”.
Valeria Bulutskaya, one of the participants from Belarus, has been participating in the programs organized by Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia for the third time. “During this program I gained a lot of experience and knowledge, the program was full of challenges. As well as being a participant, I also had an opportunity to run a session on skills and abilities of a youth worker and I am very happy for that. I look forward to further cooperation with the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia”.
Lea, who is from Portugal and a member of FYCA partner organization, mentioned that “Armenian and Portuguese two prominent organizations have the same mission, namely to do clear steps to achieve the recognition of youth work. The program allows working with youth workers from different countries to hear each other, work together and share experience from different countries on one platform”.
An important part of the program was the intercultural evening organized by thirteen countries, during which national dances, cuisine and interesting facts about each partner country were presented.
The participants visited two youth centers in Georgia and got acquainted with their activities.
“I think that during the TC we got also another achievement and established a team that will work in the upcoming activities fruitfully in order to fulfill the objectives of the program.” Mentioned the host of the program, the Head of FYCA’s Georgian partner organization “Umbrella” Stanislav Mezhdoyan. “We are glad for being partner of FYCA in Georgia and host this important activity in our country”.
The next meeting within the framework of the project is envisaged in the Czech Republic, where the participants will practically use the knowledge gained during the previous two phases.