Programme Erasmus+ Youth, Key Action 1 youth exchange
Venue: Thessaloniki, Greece
Dates: 26 September—2 October 2021
Please read the info-pack & daily activities programme.
Participating countries: Greece, Turkey, Romania, Czech Republic, Netherlands
Hosting organisation: Fifty-Fifty
Czech team: Lucie Dušková, Zdeňka Jarošová
Project report:
From September 26th to October 2nd, a youth exchange called “Raise Your Voice to Youth Extreme Behaviours” took place in the heart of the Greek second-largest city Thessaloniki. As two girls only, we represented Czechia bravely and enjoyed the project with other eleven participants from Greece, Turkey, Romania, and the Netherlands.
Our journey began on the 26th of September itself with a direct flight from Prague. During the exchange, we were accommodated in a hostel right in the city centre which allowed us to enjoy life in Thessaloniki to the fullest.
The most important tasks of this project were to acquaint the participants with the issues of extremism and radicalism, to analyse the importance of social media and internet within the radicalization of youth, to explore efficient methods of communications to overcome any possible barriers and to seek possible solutions and precautions to prevent such an extreme behaviour. After icebreaker activities and get-to-know-you games, we were discussing the concepts of radicalism and extremism in our countries and worldwide as well, we showed examples of such actions, we role played different possible scenarios to demonstrate good practices, we watched videos with experts speaking about the topic etc.
Spending free time together, sharing customs, showing national traditions, and getting to know each other are also important parts of youth exchanges. Amazing organizers Fenia and Lisa prepared for us several dinners in various traditional Greek restaurants where we could taste typical local specialities such as moussaka, souvlaki, or Greek spirit ‘ouzo’ (which tastes due to anise exactly like our well-known Hašlerky). We also had enough free time to explore more or less famous spots in Thessaloniki itself.
Although we only spent one week together, we created an inexhaustible number of memories and strong mutual bonds. Many of us have promised to each other that these were definitely not our last moments together. Thanks to all the organizers from the Greek and Czech side.
SAS EFCHARISTÓ
Lucie Dušková