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Cooperation and Development Network Eastern Europe (www.cdnee.org) is announcing a call for participants of its annual summer camp. This year, the title is «Regenerate Europe! Youth Activism, Political Participation and Direct Democracy».

This project will take place from 10th to 16th of August 2013 in Croatia. It is so far financially supported by the European Youth Foundation, by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and by Green Forum Sweden.

Project summary

Time and location: 10th to 16th August 2013, Croatia

Duration: 6 working days
Working language: English
Number of participants: 80 in total
Age: 15-30

Main themes

1. Empower young people as pioneers of active citizenship

Explore concepts of youth participation, activism and social change
Discuss and compare conditions of youth participation in different societies
Learn about European, national and regional legislative frames for inclusive participation. Explore political and civic education in school systems

2. Enhance direct democracy in all levels of society

Learn about positive methods and practices of direct democracy in environmental, social, cultural and economical decision-making
Examine direct democracy tools and preconditions for successful application in existing political systems
Share best practices and explore models of youth organization (self-managed communities, student democracy)
Develop tools inspired by direct democracy for promoting fundamental rights, youth participation, gender equality, social inclusion and ecology in our societies

3. Advance participation of youth in political processes

Explore decision-making procedures from micro to macro level and mark entering points for participation
Analyze theories of democratic governance and reflect on current democratic practices detecting pros and cons of each. Discuss new initiatives of e-democracy
Critically examine notions of representative democracy and challenge existing electoral systems. Learn about the initiative for transnational electoral lists at European elections as a way to raise level of citizen’s involvement in decision making

Methodology

Program will be based on principles of non-formal and intercultural learning. We strive for active, inclusive and direct communication and transfer of knowledge. Sessions will be balanced between theoretical inputs, workshops, role-plays, debates, discussions, reflection and other interactive methods focusing on following issues:

Development of democracy and the idea of direct democracy
Methods of direct democracy – theories of concensus, concept of plenum
Social justice, gender equality and non-violence in the frames of democracy
Practices of direct democracy in the political sphere (European Citizens’ Initiative, referenda), institutions (schools, workplaces) and local communities (participatory budgets)
We will use as many practical examples and gather speakers who can transfer their personal experience and speak critically about their initiatives. We will develop substantial and stimulating theoretical and practical guidelines as follow-up.

It is to the applicant’s advantage (but not a condition) to have a green organisational background and experience with the topics of the event. Considering that this is a youth event, participants will not be younger than 18 and older than 35.

The selection of the participants will be done by the prep team on 30th June and the result will be communicated to applicants in the following days.

DEADLINE for submitting the application (filled in applications form attached to the call) to [email protected] is 14th of June 2013.

Detailed information: http://www.cdnee.org