Embracing Life

Living in the Respect of Nature

July 24th to August 1st 2010, La Ferme du Plessis, France

Co-organized by AYUDH and GreenFriends-France
With the Support of the European Commission for Education and Culture

We are happy to invite you to the 6th AYUDH EU Youth Exchange
taking place from July 24 – August 1. 2010 at La Ferme du Plessis, France.

In today’s world people live like isolated islands. While the speed of our lives has increased, our relationship to each other and nature has decreased. The planet is in a state of emergency: taking more than he needs, man has created a serious imbalance in the ecological and social framework of the planet.

It is the youth that holds the potential to bring about a new spirit in society by not only caring for themselves, but also for one another and the planet. Only if we learn to embrace life in all its forms will we be able to create a bright and sustainable future.

Led by Br Shubamrita and Bri Dipamrita, this youth exchange brings together youth from all over Europe. Through talks, discussions and practical workshops the youth are invited to find comprehensive and practical answers to the challenges of our time.

Plus: Visit of Chartres, party, concert, bonfire, sports and lots of fun

For youth between 15 and 30 years of age.
Participants will receive an official Youth pass certifie by the European Commission.
Youth from Austria, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Spain,
Sweden and UK will receive a partial refund of their travel cost.

APPLY NOW

New this year: The 6th AYUDH Youth Exchange is part of the “Ecology Meetings” organized at Ferme du Plessis. There will be two youth camps taking place at the same time under this motto. The second camp is organized by GreenFriends-Europe for youth from all over the world and has the title “Experience Week”. It is for youth between 18 and 32 years of age. The “Experience Week” will offer participants an interesting and insightful experience by working on three distinct ecological projects as well as attending a variety of talks and discussions.

PROGRAMME

60 participants between 15 and 30 years of age from 9 European countries (Austria, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden and UK) will take part in “Embracing Life”.

The EU will refund 70 % of the travel costs and certify the participation with the EU-YouthPass.

Experts on a broad range of environmental issues will visit the camp to hold interactive discussions with the youth, providing them with in-depth knowledge about practical solutions to pressing questions of our time.

Insightful talks by Br. Shubamrita and Bri. Dipamrita will deepen the participant’s understanding of the holistic dimension of sustainable living.

WORKSHOPS

There are four modules of workshops offered:

Community Service
Arts
Revitalizing
Ecology

Community Service: In order to implement the principles of a sustainable community everyone will be invited for activities like making bread in the wood-oven, harvesting vegetables in the garden or maintaining the facilities.

Arts: From dance to drumming, natural artwork to theatre, these workshops are designed to deepen the connection to nature and ourselves in a creative way.

Revitalizing: Tai-Chi, non-violent communication, meditation or martial arts classes are meant to enhance life-skills and foster personal empowerment.

Ecology: In these workshops the participants will work on concrete projects like creating their own portable vegetable garden or recycling trash into value.

Plus: Visit of Chartres, party, concert, bonfire, sports and lots of fun

BACKGROUND

For the past three years, Ayudh has been organizing youth exchanges sponsored by the European Commission. This vibrant and participative gathering has been very successful in bringing together youth from various cultural and social backgrounds, inviting them to discuss the core values they want to set for their lives. The gatherings have become a platform to empower youth to start their own projects back home in the fields of social service and environmental care.

The national groups participating in this event have strengthened over the years and provide now a dynamic European and international network with several transversal initiatives.
2010 is Ayudh’s green year. This was the opportunity for Ayudh to team up with GreenFriends and develop a specific programme on this topic. The exchange location was shifted to the ecological site of “la Ferme du Plessis” in France, opening a new horizon for participants.

THE VENUE

The Ferme du Plessis is located next to Chartres, one hour away from Paris by train.

This ancient fortified farm from the 12th century is located on 6 hectar of land, that offers huge potential for development. The farm was bought by Embracing the World in 2002, and has since then become a vibrant and dynamic organization, that embodies the very principles of sustainable living.

Accommodation will be in tents. Basic, but back to Nature!

APPLY NOW!

The deadline for registration is June 15th. We will provide the selected participants with complementary details by the end of June.

….application page…..

CONTACT

Please contact the overall exchange coordination at:

embracinglife@ayudh.eu

Or get in touch with your national youth leaders for further information.

AYUDH Austria: info.austria@ayudh.eu
AYUDH France: info.france@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Germany: info.deutschland@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Ireland: info.ireland@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Italy: info.italia@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Netherlands: info.nederland@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Spain: info.spain@ayudh.eu
AYUDH Sweden: info.sweden@ayudh.eu
AYUDH UK: info.uk@ayudh.eu

LINKS

AYUDH Youth Exchange 2009
AYUDH Youth Exchange 2008

“Embracing Life” is co-funded by the European Commission DG Education and Culture. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein.