Interaction

We have only one life. I forgot this fact. I wont expend it with a negatived mentality. No today. Probably I cant change the world, but maybe I can my day, maybe yours. YMCA has something special which pushes you to change, and this is the feeling I was looking for..

When the Future is in your hands.

The Peace Power

09/Sep/2014 Pristina, Kosovo 

6 a.m.  Heathrow airport, London. I am taking a flight to Kosovo: excited, nerves, exhausted. I have been texting Karina the whole week; I don't know who she is, what she looks like, but we are going to have an incredible journey together.

She is a YMCA staff member working in Day Camps in Fairthrore Group, UK, and she has been chosen to be part of Bridges of the Future for a week in Pristina, Kosovo.

This project is dedicated to train young people from 'Balkan Countries' (with the collaboration of YMCA England and Ireland) to run topics and plans to promote Peace.

But, what is? How can we get it? What can I do?

Peace is an easy word which you can hear all the time in news and songs… But is hard to get the answer, it's difficult to get it between people with historical conflicts; and maybe, this projects could be the first step to creating links between young people from the different sides of the problem.

"The conference will be basically, eat, sleep… Share a full week with people from the other part of the conflict"

Adrian Sheremeti, a Kosovo leader, said.

YMCA Europe proposed that these young leaders, use different media tools to show what peace means to them; the 36 leaders are splitter in 6 groups to explain their ideas using videos, articles, etc.

One of these groups is 'New Beginning' in which Karina is involved as well as Eglantina, Razvan-Victor, Liora and Kristian. He is a Serbian volunteer for the YMCA who is directing their video looking for to answer 'What does Peace mean"

"Peace has lots of meaning, but what is important... is what you do to get it"               

His conversation was fluent and I could feel his pain speaking about the rivalry in the Serbian population.

It was a wonderful experience to talk with the whole group; although they are from varied countries, with different ages, they considerate themselves as a great team, having a massive support and connection into the team. Every idea was considered by the group, disputed and decided as team.

So we can consider that YMCA Europe with the 'Bridges for the future' project have realized their expectation:

opening minds to promote Peace and projecting experiences as opinions about the conflict, and above of all… about Peace.

World Peace is a big step, probably we will never get it, probably we will never understand each other, therefore, all of us must make an effort day by day to change the conflict, to change the situation, and maybe, changing ourselves, being empathic with the opposite opinion, being more realistic and respect that the world is huge and we need diversity to have our personal idea. 

"In countries where there is peace, people take it for granted" 

So maybe the solution is as easy as we think, maybe it is in ourselves, having happy and good energy, sharing

positive messages and promoting the understanding in our communities and families… And at the end, give our personal meaning for Peace. 

Sofia Herranz

PUBS Productions articule

First of it's kind Peace Conference in Kosovo

[Blog post from Craig Martin, Northern Ireland, who had his first international experience with the YMCA this week]

10 different countries collaborate in a first of its kind youth orientated peace conference in hope that it can build bridges for the future.

Nations across Europe, many of them who have experienced conflict either with each other or with other outside countries have been brought together in a YMCA Europe project in the Capital of The Newborn state of Kosovo. Between the 5th and the 11th of September, the conference has brought a new approach to community relations in the hope that the future will bring positive diplomatic relations between and within the countries. Nations involved such as Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania could have never of seen this happening as recently as 10 years ago. Also countries such as Ireland, Cyprus and Macedonia all came together to share about their counties internal affairs, foreign affairs, culture and solutions for peace in the future.

The conference has provided an opportunity for the attending nations youth to gain many new experiences and information to take back to their homelands, Mlanden from Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that the conference has given him "new information about the attending countries cultures," Giving him more experience of, "Youth Activism and new ways of brining peace to conflicting nations" but most of all he believes he can go home having gained a "new network of friends across Europe."

In many ways, the conference has been a complete success. Participants have gained great life experiences and motivation to continue with this kind of work, building strong bridges for the future. The nations involved have YMCA Europe to thank for an incredible conference and hope similar conferences will be funded and organized so the message of peace can be enhanced across the Balkans and indeed all of Europe.

Martine from Ireland, when asked what her message to potential funders of similar projects was, "To build a stronger future for our young people across Europe we must create opportunities to bring them together and explore their cultural backgrounds and socio-political & religious differences. In this way, barriers are broken down and young people become better equipped to promote peace and reconciliation in their context."

Bridges For the Future

It was an epic showdown - YMCA Serbia, Ireland, Romanian and Kosovo all fighting to keep their seat at the table. Looks of disgust were exchanged and manic cheers of glee erupted at the failure of another. It was a game of cards on the back of the bus as we travelled together to see more of the sights, sounds and beauty of this wonderful place, Kosovo.

That image captures much of what the YMCA has to celebrate - young people from countries all over the world laughing and joking together, building friendships which hold infinite possibilities still to be written. It's one of the many unmeasurable outcomes from the week long Bridges for the Future peace work conference here in Prishtina.

Personally it has been a new experience and challenge being part of the facilitation team. 28 participants from 10 different countries all with their own individual hopes and fears that accompany taking part in an international YMCA event. I've really enjoyed the challenge of having a greater awareness of how the group is getting on and taking on responsibilities to help with the smooth running of the conference. In this respect I've been learning much from the rest of the facilitators.

This afternoon 6 groups presented their work from the past couple of days, the result of which was journalist articles and short videos on the theme 'what does peace mean to us?'. Incredible work - more of which you will see appearing online soon if you follow the ymcaeurope and roots hashtags.

Tomorrow is the closing day of the conference but not the last day in Kosovo for me. Three years ago at my first international YMCA event I met a bold and ambitious youth worker - Adi Davies. At that event we became friends, three years on and he has invited me to visit and stay with him and his fiancé Dorina for a couple of extra days in their hometown of Gjakova. Dorina, Adi and their team of young people from Kosovo have been incredible hosts throughout the conference and I'm incredibly excited about hanging out with them over the next couple of days!

Inspiring awareness to act for the future

On Saturday 6th September 36 young people from 10 different countries came together in Prishtina, Kosovo to communicate to the world about peace. A topic that has varying degress of impact on different countries and individuals, even for the 10 countries present there was a great difference in experience and knowledge of peace around the world. This diversity created an incredible learning and sharing environment for people where everyone was free to express and discover.


The task set was to present a media project of 'what peace means to us' and all the young people were split into groups of 4 or 5 and given a short period of time with deadlines to produce their findings. One of the groups concluding statement was "I will Wake up, I will stand up and I will act for the future". This quote came from a group of participants from Albania, England, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia all who's participants admitted that personally they have not experienced much conflict within their countries but they all felt that young people who have not been affected by conflict shouldn't ignore it and do nothing. They should be able to act to make a difference... however it is not always that simple! There are steps that need to take place, such as being educated in global issues and given the understanding that we are all in this together, we should all care.

Instilling support which can help young people to first find peace and balance within themselves is also very important. How can we ask young people to promote and act upon peace if they have not found it in themselves? But its not just young people how many of us can actually say you have found peace within yourself? There may be some activities that we take part in such as dance that might be our safe haven and during these beautiful moments we feel safe and tranquil, if only we had that feeling all the time.We all know that it is not that simple and that there are everyday conflicts within our lives that make it difficult, but what if we take a step forward and unite together what impact can our actions have? Even if the action is sharing a post on Facebook, using Instagram to get a picture out there, tweeting/retweeting global issues, these things can take seconds but yet done properly and at the right time can be so powerful, and simple and guess what: anyone can do it!

So the question is 'How can you make a difference', an example of how to be involved is through youth organisations coming together in projects such as Bridges for the Future. This can provide the tools for young leaders to ignite the passion, spread hope and inspire others to be more aware. Everyone should take a minute and ask themselves...

What can I do and how can I do it?

Everyone wants to feel peace, we want to have a safe haven, everyone wants to have a purpose so lets spread the passion and 'Act for the Future!'



Article written for 'Bridges for the Future' media simulation

Democracy in Europe Project, France 2014 in Video

Almost crossing the bridge :)

Walking around Romford (UK) I received a call from my social worker Ben "Are you interesting in participate in a YMCA project in Kosovo? We think it could be very interesting experience for you”  

In few hours I will be waiting in London airport to take a plane to see you! I can’t believe how lucky I am!

 I don’t know how to thank Rachel and Ben for providing me help to be involved in this project.

Everything started, when I became involved in YMCA Romford; it is incredible how many opportunities they give you to improve your life, your knowledge and to be active in social events.

All my life I was interested in these kinds of things, in Madrid (Spain) where I am form, I was involved in feminine projects, Spanish Civil War meeting, etc. However, after that, when I moved to England, I stopped with this active social projects, so, honestly, although I have a nice life here in UK, I felt sometimes lost, with a need to talk with people with similar motivations or interest.

This is what I have found in YMCA!

After an intense 3 month in Costa Rica and Nicaragua with Raleigh International, getting to know the people who lives there, their lives and the most important, the effect of Post Nicaragua War.

Now I am getting a chance to live another of the most important conflict around the word, and honestly, you can’t guess how overwhelmingly lucky I feel meeting people who has lived it, to knows by their experience what happened, what are the different ways to get the solution or basically, to get the peace, respecting the different  points of view. 

See you soon!! all my best Sofi 

Found that high!!! - Democracy in Europe Project, France 2014

Way, way back in 2011, I was offered the chance to go abroad through YMCA to attend YMCA Europe's YES (Youth European Spectrum) Conference & General Assembly in the Netherlands. Although I had been involved with my YMCA at Bolton as a young person since 2005/06, had spent a year working for YMCA England on the Myplace project, & had took part in a number of national projects/visits, this was the first time I would go abroad with the YMCA. This would also be the first time anyone from Bolton YMCA would represent the YMCA abroad since eons past.

Whilst there I had the most amazing time, I had so much energy, felt so inspired, & everyone bonded perfectly, and then almost in an instant, it was over, I was back home, back to the humdrum. I felt so down after coming back, missing everyone so much, with the knowledge that never again would that group of perfect people be in the same place ever again: The dreaded Conference comedown. I had been bitten by the international bug, and wanted more, but I was worried that I had my one YMCA international opportunity, the ultimate high & that I was forever to fade into obscurity.

Fast forward to the present and I needn't of worried, a lot had happened in those 3 years; I had survived, seen staff & other Young People at Bolton YMCA go abroad with the movement, seen some staff go abroad with the YMCA & start a new life, witnessed Young People go abroad on EVS in France with YMCA, seen French Young People volunteer at Bolton YMCA with EVS, became a trustee, & been abroad 6 more times with YMCA.

All this time I was searching for something I had found in a blink of an eye in the Netherlands.

I didn't find it when I went to Slovakia on Media Training with YMCA in 2012, even though I had a great time & discovered a taste for Kofola. For those that don't know, Kofola is a Czech/Slovakian soft drink not a million miles away from coca cola, but different enough to be something special. I came away feeling great, having learnt new things & shared with other Young People what I knew with regards to media, however that tingling feeling from experiencing something completely new just wasn't there.

I didn't find it when I went to Bulgaria to redecorate an orphanage/special school with a group of young people in Spring 2013, despite it being such a humbling experience to add so much joy to the children's lives. Working with fellow Young People to make a lasting difference to others was wonderful but the experience was similar in many ways to what I had done before, I was the participant, the change was meant to be seen in me.

I didn't find it when I went to the YMCA Europe Prague festival in August 2013 with a group of Young People from Bolton YMCAs Youth Council despite it being a full on Jolly!!! I did find more Kofola however. Here I was the assigned group leader, a role I will admit I was not ready for. Being at the largest YMCA event in the world definitely made it clear that I was part of something much much bigger than myself.

I didn't find it when I took part in a Democracy & Governance Project in Autumn 2013 with YMCA England to London & Paris. Met some diamond geezers though, Liam Preston & Aaron Proctor to name a couple. I might not have found that feeling that I was looking forward to but I did finally learn to understand how our & the French democratic systems work & how bills are passed, which would all come to great use in the end, presenting a role play on how our democracy functions in Salm.

I didn't find it when I went to Krakow in Poland in May on a Cultural visit with 9 other Volunteers/Staff from Bolton YMCA. I learnt a lot about things I thought I knew about, saw hidden wonders & eventually after much searching... Kofola. Through visiting Krakow YMCA it inspired me to look towards our own English YMCA movement & what it could with perseverance & dedication become.

But as amazing & unique as all these experiences were, how key they were in developing me to the present, & how they would prepare me for the future, I still hadn't found that high, that fresh tingling feeling, I first encountered in the Netherlands during 2011.

OMG!!! I found it!!!

But when I finally found it, & reached that high, I didn't just reach it. I eclipsed it. I had never felt so alive!!! It took 6 internationals but it eventually made an appearance.

I found it after several weeks of worrying about whether the Young People would actually come on the trip & get the most out of it.

I found it after several detours around Salford, the M6 around Birmingham, a stay over at the oldest backpackers hostel in Dover, a Channel Ferry Crossing, and a very, very long Minibus drive across France.

I found it at the YMCA Hostel in Salm after the long journey in the company of Young People from England, France, Spain, Germany, Romania, & Ukraine.

I found it during the Linguistic Ice breakers in the mornings, the Democracy & Governance Debates, the International Party, the Governance Presentations, the Lunch breaks, & the Dinners.

I found it in the visit to Strasbourg & the European Parliament.

I found it in the hiking, & in the half-court basketball.

I found it in the circle game, the pegging, the midnight/early morning crazy dancing, & the Late Night Conversations.

I never, ever, found it at breakfast... probably because I never made it down for breakfast.

But this was just the half of it, I wasn't just a participant anymore, I was an assistant leader of sorts, having already experienced all the above before. The above reached that high like in 2011, but to eclipse it I had to find something more, I had to step back from just seeing the change on myself & for the first time really witness & pay attention to the change on others...

I found it watching other Young People around me come alive.

I found it observing Young People coming out of their shells.

I found it bearing witness to Young People casting aside all their preconceptions of young people from other countries & seeing them as young people just like themselves.

I found it being part of a shared experience between Young People who were having their first experience of YMCA, some who were already well involved, & some, like myself who had been part of YMCA for a considerable time.

I found it seeing Young People adjust & prepare themselves for their new life in France & other countries on EVS.

I found it seeing Young People being forever changed.

I found it seeing Young People belonging, contributing & thriving.

I found it seeing Young People come to understand the true meaning of YMCA.

Why could I not find it before?

Because I was too busy looking for the change in myself, rather than in others.

Now that the "“Democracy in Europe” How it works, how it doesn't and what can we do to influence change?" Conference facilitated by YMCA France is over & we have all gone back to our own lives, I can safely say it has been the best thing I have ever been involved in during my time with the YMCA, and I am sad to see it slip into the past with each day that passes, but I have all the memories, photographs & friends.

Each & every one of the amazing people I met on this Project has a small piece of my heart with them. I hope they can take good care of it until we meet again.

But for now I have a new high to search for...