Youth exchange
CARE International NW Balkans through its Banja Luka office organized a 7 day youth exchange in partnership with Youth Action Northern Ireland and Youth Work Ireland for 32 young men from the Balkans and North / South Ireland. The title of the exchange, Young Men Talking: Experiences of Conflict is part of a larger multi year initiative between organisations to address issues impacting the healthy development of young men, who are often more prone to risky behaviors, especially around violence. The youth and adult youth workers from the Balkans came from 5 partner organisations based in Podgorica, Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Zagreb and Belgrade
The exchange started in Zagreb and then traveled to Bihac, where participants went camping and rafting. The concluding 3 days of the camp took place in Banja Luka. The camp focused on teambuilding between the participants and skill development focused on themes around masculinity and violence. The young men discussed how conflict and violence has impacted there lives and how society often puts extra pressures on them to be a certain type of man.
In the coming months another exchange is planned, with the participants from the Balkans traveling to North / South Ireland. In addition voluntary exchanges are planned between youth workers to gain new skills and experiences around youth work. This initiative is part of a wider 3 year program of CARE’s called the Western Balkan Gender Based Violence Young Men Initiative supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that works with young men age 13-19 to deconstruct masculinity in their culture and determine how gender norms and male socialization lead to inequitable attitudes.
For additional information please contact John Crownover – jcrownover@carenwb.org or Sasa Petkovic – spetkovic@carenwb.org.
The exchange started in Zagreb and then traveled to Bihac, where participants went camping and rafting. The concluding 3 days of the camp took place in Banja Luka. The camp focused on teambuilding between the participants and skill development focused on themes around masculinity and violence. The young men discussed how conflict and violence has impacted there lives and how society often puts extra pressures on them to be a certain type of man.
In the coming months another exchange is planned, with the participants from the Balkans traveling to North / South Ireland. In addition voluntary exchanges are planned between youth workers to gain new skills and experiences around youth work. This initiative is part of a wider 3 year program of CARE’s called the Western Balkan Gender Based Violence Young Men Initiative supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that works with young men age 13-19 to deconstruct masculinity in their culture and determine how gender norms and male socialization lead to inequitable attitudes.
For additional information please contact John Crownover – jcrownover@carenwb.org or Sasa Petkovic – spetkovic@carenwb.org.
