European Voluntary Service (EVS)                                                

The European Voluntary Service is a EU funded exchange program for volunteers. In 2001 EEE-YFU coordinated a multi-lateral EVS project called "The Coloured Glasses". The project gave a group of eleven young people the possibility to do volunteer work in another country. Three teams consisting of 2-4 young persons from different European countries (Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland) were placed in Germany (Hamburg), Denmark (Copenhagen) and Estonia (Tartu and Tallinn). All three teams worked very hard in the six-month project, and achieved outstanding results.

Their task was to develop trainings to reduce prejudices and increase tolerance through cultural understanding among youth. These trainings were offered in schools and youth clubs. Each team prepared the trainings independently and according to the needs of the country. They focused on developing workshops concerning the topics "Stereotypes and Prejudices", "Discrimination / Racism" and "Cultural Understanding". The trainings were based on the theory of experimental learning - simulations, games and other experimental methods were the entrance to theory and discussions, which demanded active participation on the side of the students. The training modules were developed on the basis of "Coloured Glasses", a YFU resource manual for Intercultural Education.

Before departure to their host countries all the volunteers met up for a kick-off training in Germany. There they were trained in project work and presentation skills. During their time in the host country the three teams were supported by YFU volunteers, who helped them in all organizational issues, as for instance the living situation, learning the language and "every day life" problems. Next to the support given by these local volunteers, the coordinators of the project were in regular contact with the teams. The project finished with a kick-out seminar in Denmark where the three teams and the co-ordinators met and evaluated the project.

All three teams had received very positive feedback from the schools where they presented their sessions. Their training sessions had a very high standard, which shows that all the participants gained a great knowledge in the area of intercultural communication. The sessions they offered produced great enthusiasm and engagement both from the students and from the schools.

In 2002 the project lead to a follow-up in Germany, where a "Colored Glasses" project was organized in Berlin and Brandenburg from December 2002 to July 2003. 25 volunteers were trained and sent to six different schools, working with a group of 25 students each time. The workshops lasted between two and five hours, including an introductory game as well as student and teacher feed back. Since the project was such a success, the workshops have continued since then with the support of the YOUTH program. Have a look at the Colored Glasses homepage: http://www.coloredglasses.de