The time has come for future class. Something
very special will be happening in Berlin from the 15th-21st
of March 2013.
We will
be running a training course for motivated members of NGOs operating in Egypt,
Germany, Israel, Palestine, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom (36 altogether)
the opportunity to learn, discuss, share experiences and practice the creative
methods of Loesje; creative text writing, poster selection and lay out. We will
practically work with the Human Rights ‘Freedom of Speech’ and ‘Freedom of
Expression’, and stimulate intercultural dialogue.
The unique
and inspiring learning forum will start with the group getting to know each
other. There has already been some great chat on the group Facebook page –
where participants have been introducing themselves and their countries to the
other groups. From there, the groups will have some guided tours round Berlin
related to the themes of the training.
The
majority of the course will take place at The Kurt Löwenstein Haus (KLH), located about 30 km
outside Berlin. KLH is an educational centre for youth educational seminars and
youth summer camps. The large house has all the facilities we will need – and
even a forest nearby for walks.
At
KLH all the different groups will take part in a Loesje poster-writing
activity, and also have space to introduce their countries and discuss the
Freedom of Speech situation in their countries. After this, the participants
will build their abilities and confidence in how to deliver a Loesje
poster-writing activity themselves.
Following this training course in Berlin, the participants will work
together on conducting Loesje workshops and producing exhibitions, aimed at
furthering the goals of Loesje and their respective NGOs in their home
countries. It will be fantastic to see how each of these 36 participants
develops their ideas over their time in Berlin and when they get back to their
own countries – and how they spread their inspiration.
The participants have been recruited over the winter by the
partner organisations involved. Association for Culture and Education PiNA from
Slovenia, Loesje e.V. from Germany, Juzoor from Palestine, One Voice from
Israel, Xchange Scotland from Scotland and Development NO Borders from Egypt.