Study Session 2011 - Social Networking: A New Paradigm for Intercultural Learning and Social Inclusion

In 2010 Facebook overtook Google as the number one visited website in the US. This is but one indicator of the increasing importance of social networking in people’s daily lives, especially among youth. In consequence, this change has an important impact on youth organizations as they need to adapt and ensure youth work, in its approach and methods, continues to respond to the needs of society and the youth it targets.

This study session was held jointly by EEE-YFU and Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU). The two organisations have a long history of co-operation, for example by organizing a study session in 2010. This double study session sought to make use of the synergies gained by commonly exploring the new social networking phenomenon while exploring its specific consequences in separate groups.

Volunteers and staff involved in supporting exchange students in inbound programmes were invited to take part in this event, which was held in the European Youth Center in Budapest 23-30 October.