Youth for Exchange and Understanding
Encyclopedia
Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU) is an International Non-Governmental Non-profit Youth Organisation established in 1986 and member of the European Youth Forum
in Brussels
as an INGYO. YEU is recognized as INGYO by the Council of Europe
and by the Directorate of Youth and Sports of the European Commission
, whom support our activities. YEU has the Head Office in Faro, Portugal
from where it coordinates the whole network with more than 27 European Member Organizations from all Europe
and North Africa involved in activities, such as Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.
YEU looks forward to increase tolerance and awareness between different countries, cultures and traditions, and to promote a greater level of comprehension through the development of youth exchanges, seminars, conventions, meetings, study visits, training courses, working groups for investigation, studying and analysis of youth concerns/themes, educative manuals, between other activities of educational nature.
The main aim of the Youth for Exchange and Understanding is to promote peace, understanding and co-operation between the young people of the world, in a spirit of respect for human rights
. To achieve these YEU will thus provide activities to foster closer co-operation and better understanding among the young people of the world, both between and within continents, particularly by encouraging the exchange of information; to stimulate mutual aid in the developed and the developing countries for cultural, educational and social purposes; to encourage the interdenominational exchange of ideas and opinions; to improve the relationships among young people of countries with differing political systems; to work together on issues affecting people and their environment.
YEU is a non-profit making, interdenominational youth organisation independent of all political affiliation run by young people for young people by means of a democratic structure.
in August, 1986 by a group of 120 young people from 11 different countries and since 1989 it has been recognized as a member association of the European Coordination Bureau (E.C.B.). Today is member in the European Youth Forum
in Brussels and considered by the CoE. & the E.U. as an INGYO.
That was a result of 4-year cooperation witch started in Germany in 1983 with the first international meeting with participants from 8 countries.
in an important city of the hosting country. This international exchange is held once every year in summer in a different country.
Seminars, it's a one-week open to maximum 40 participants to exchange ideas and opinions on a particular theme (e.g. environment, active participation in society, Human Rights Education, Racism
and Xenophobia
, Equality
, Culture of Peace, Inclusion
, etc. These exchanges are especially suited to people working with youth groups. Prior to the event, participants prepare an input of their work with young people and on the team related to the situation in their country. The program involves relevant visits, activities and discussions. The results of this gathering are used to prepare other international meetings.
Trainings, are 7 to 10 days events for people interested in developing their skills within YEU structure. YEU usually organize trainings for Leaders and for Exchange organizers and youth animators where they can get to know new practical techniques to use during international youth meetings as they facilitate the discussions and the exchange of information among the participants. They also learn about European politics for young people and how to deal with European institutions which define youth policies.
Work camps, are projects developed by NB where youngsters from different countries engage together in a specific work within the hosting community. There is a strong intercultural dimension and the promotion of solidarity values embedded in this events.
International Projects, are mid or long term projects related with the work of YEU in fields such as training (developing publications); active citizenship
(projects involving more than one exchange) or Culture of Peace (trainings and exchanges organized in or about conflict areas).
Volunteering
, are projects ranging from 2 to 52 weeks involving one member doing practical work in another country or in the Head Office.
European Youth Forum
The European Youth Forum is the platform of the national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
as an INGYO. YEU is recognized as INGYO by the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
and by the Directorate of Youth and Sports of the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, whom support our activities. YEU has the Head Office in Faro, Portugal
Faro, Portugal
Faro is the southernmost city in Portugal. It is located in the Faro Municipality in southern Portugal. The city proper has 41,934 inhabitants and the entire municipality has 58,305. It is the seat of the Faro District and capital of the Algarve region...
from where it coordinates the whole network with more than 27 European Member Organizations from all Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and North Africa involved in activities, such as Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.
YEU looks forward to increase tolerance and awareness between different countries, cultures and traditions, and to promote a greater level of comprehension through the development of youth exchanges, seminars, conventions, meetings, study visits, training courses, working groups for investigation, studying and analysis of youth concerns/themes, educative manuals, between other activities of educational nature.
The main aim of the Youth for Exchange and Understanding is to promote peace, understanding and co-operation between the young people of the world, in a spirit of respect for human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. To achieve these YEU will thus provide activities to foster closer co-operation and better understanding among the young people of the world, both between and within continents, particularly by encouraging the exchange of information; to stimulate mutual aid in the developed and the developing countries for cultural, educational and social purposes; to encourage the interdenominational exchange of ideas and opinions; to improve the relationships among young people of countries with differing political systems; to work together on issues affecting people and their environment.
YEU is a non-profit making, interdenominational youth organisation independent of all political affiliation run by young people for young people by means of a democratic structure.
History
Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU) was founded in StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
in August, 1986 by a group of 120 young people from 11 different countries and since 1989 it has been recognized as a member association of the European Coordination Bureau (E.C.B.). Today is member in the European Youth Forum
European Youth Forum
The European Youth Forum is the platform of the national youth councils and international non-governmental youth organisations in Europe...
in Brussels and considered by the CoE. & the E.U. as an INGYO.
That was a result of 4-year cooperation witch started in Germany in 1983 with the first international meeting with participants from 8 countries.
Activities
International Youth Convention, it's a meeting where all the 50 to 80 participants find the time to get to know new people, to share new experiences and adventures and to discuss and work in a practical way on a team connected with young people. Its a two to three-week programme when people can experience life with local families, enjoy common life in Camp-site and spend one week in a Youth HostelHostel
Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available...
in an important city of the hosting country. This international exchange is held once every year in summer in a different country.
Seminars, it's a one-week open to maximum 40 participants to exchange ideas and opinions on a particular theme (e.g. environment, active participation in society, Human Rights Education, Racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and Xenophobia
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is defined as "an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange". It comes from the Greek words ξένος , meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φόβος , meaning "fear."...
, Equality
Social equality
Social equality is a social state of affairs in which all people within a specific society or isolated group have the same status in a certain respect. At the very least, social equality includes equal rights under the law, such as security, voting rights, freedom of speech and assembly, and the...
, Culture of Peace, Inclusion
Inclusion
Inclusion may refer to:- Metallurgy :*Inclusion , a type of metal casting defect*Inclusions in Aluminium Alloys, solid particles in liquid aluminium alloy- Social inclusion of persons :...
, etc. These exchanges are especially suited to people working with youth groups. Prior to the event, participants prepare an input of their work with young people and on the team related to the situation in their country. The program involves relevant visits, activities and discussions. The results of this gathering are used to prepare other international meetings.
Trainings, are 7 to 10 days events for people interested in developing their skills within YEU structure. YEU usually organize trainings for Leaders and for Exchange organizers and youth animators where they can get to know new practical techniques to use during international youth meetings as they facilitate the discussions and the exchange of information among the participants. They also learn about European politics for young people and how to deal with European institutions which define youth policies.
Work camps, are projects developed by NB where youngsters from different countries engage together in a specific work within the hosting community. There is a strong intercultural dimension and the promotion of solidarity values embedded in this events.
International Projects, are mid or long term projects related with the work of YEU in fields such as training (developing publications); active citizenship
Active citizenship
Active citizenship refers to a philosophy espoused by organizations and educational institutions which advocates that members of companies or nation-states have certain roles and responsibilities to society and the environment, although those members may not have specific governing roles.Active...
(projects involving more than one exchange) or Culture of Peace (trainings and exchanges organized in or about conflict areas).
Volunteering
Volunteering
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...
, are projects ranging from 2 to 52 weeks involving one member doing practical work in another country or in the Head Office.