In the period between 11-19 of June 2021 the team of association Alternativi International implemented a youth exchange called “In4Migration with participation of several other countries: Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Italy and Greece.
Our team provided different methods for project evaluation, at different levels, and of course included criteria and identifiers. The project did not only aim to provide new knowledge and information to the participants, although one of the main results at the level of participants and local communities is precisely the informative impact of the project on migration and hate speech; as a result of the project, participants learned the differences between migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, understood and understood different terms; are better acquainted with human rights, migration processes; the causes and consequences of migration; various institutions related to refugee issues and hate speech; as a result of the follow-up activities, we also engaged local young people, raising important social issues and issues such as hate speech against migrants and refugees.
As a result, local young people were encouraged to think about the participation of young people in tackling the various challenges and concerns that affect the future of Europe, namely the issue of the reception and integration of refugees. In addition, we and our partners report an increase in the interest of local young people in the activities of the organizations – the project definitely ignited curiosity about other cultures and, accordingly, tolerance and solidarity and the desire to participate in the mobility of the program. Of course, the acquaintance with the opportunities for training and development through Erasmus +, ECOC and other European programs of the participants and subsequently of local young people, increased the visibility of the program, but also increased the interest in these programs. Apart from the informative effect, the project also led to something more – a change of attitudes, opinions and attitudes towards the migrant issue and to empathy and tolerance towards refugees. Participants had the opportunity to face their stereotypes, narratives with which they grew up, through simulations and role-playing games they had the opportunity not only to learn, but also to experience and develop empathy, understanding and tolerance. As a result of the project, some participants continued their personal development by participating in other mobilities of the program – internships, trainings, acts and even ECOC and Erasmus for young entrepreneurs; another part became active volunteers to their sending organizations; others organized their activities and events for the first time; others engaged and inspired by the theme and continued to participate in the Council of Europe’s special human rights trainings for young leaders; and two of the participants are currently on their way to register their youth organization.
We believe that this project, through its participants as ambassadors, has succeeded and will continue to engage more young people in the cause of promoting peace, understanding and continuity of refugees and thus reduce the risk of incitement to hatred, violence, radicalization and extremism among young people. . In this way, the attention of more young people will be focused on the need to respect human dignity, rights and respect for all people, regardless of their social, ethnic, cultural, economic status, gender, religion, etc.
