Youth Conference, Youth Conference 2011 - Monday, May 2, 2011 17:27 - 0 Comments

AYUDH EU Youth Exchange 2011 – Apply now

“Reaching New Heights – the power of YOUth to change the world” is a Transnational Youth Initiative organized by the international youth movement AYUDH. From 24 – 31 July 2011, 150 youth from all over Europe and beyond will get together at M.A. Center Germany, near Frankfurt. They will deal with some of the main challenges faced by youth in today’s world: Lack of self-confidence, depression and suicide, addictions and substance abuse, erosion of culture and values, violence, poverty and unemployment, lack of perspective and meaning, family and social crises and environmental challenges.

In multicultural working groups, the youth will examine how the powers of confidence, community, creativity and contribution can be used to transform these challenges into opportunities for change and development for both the individual and society as a whole.

On a practical level, the youth will use these “powers” to work on a large-scale landscaping project in the close-by town Michelstadt.

July 30th will see an innovative youth musical performance in Michelstadt, written and choreographed by the youth themselves. Through the music, the youth will declare the self-conceived “Youth Development Goals” resulting from discussions and workshops of the initiative.

In oder to initiate a multicultural exchange of ideas and experiences regarding the challenges of youth in today’s world, please join the discussion at our online forum: ayudh.eu/forum (coming soon)

The event is supported by the city of Michelstadt and is part of the “International Year of Youth 2010/2011” (http://social.un.org/absolutewc/?e=486&c=0) and the European Year of Volunteering (http://europa.eu/volunteering/en). It is under the patronage of the German artist Gabriele von Lutzau, who will also supervise the youth to create a monument for the “Youth Development Goals” in Michelstadt. (http://www.gvlutzau.de/en/Homepage.html)

The youth initiative is supported by the “Youth in Action” programme of the European Commission for Education and Culture. 150 youth from Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Slovenia, UK, Ireland and Poland will receive 70% refund for their travel cost. Youth from other countries are most welcome to join as well. There will be a participation fee of 100 Euro per participant for the full week programme. Those with financial difficulties can apply for a reduced rate of 50 Euro. Youth, which come from countries that are not eligible for travel cost refund can come on a donation basis.

All youth between the ages of 15 and 30, who are interested to take part in the initiative, can apply now on the ayudh website www.ayudh.eu . Since there is a limited number of youth that can be admitted, we accept applications on a first-come-first-serve basis.

We will be in touch with you before the end of May to let you know if your application has been accepted. Once you receive confirmation from us, you can start booking your travel tickets. At that point we will also ask you to fill in the final registration form, providing us with all the necessary details for us to welcome you.

People over the age of 30, who like to be part of the initiative can come as volunteers. If you are interested, please contact reachingnewheights@ayudh.eu .

Youth under the age of 18 have to designate a mentor who is over 18 from their own country group.

Apply now by filling in our online application form.

An invitation with detailed information on the agenda of the event is available here for download.