Projecte: “Look at the same and see different”
On: Arrouquelas, Portugal
Quan: 19/08/2023 a 28/08/2023
Associació que realitza l’intercanvi: H2O
Temàtica: igualtat de gènere i inclusió
Països participants: Croàcia (Lumen), França (Pistes Solidaires), Polonia, Hongria (Yopa), Espanya, Itàlia (Studio Progetto), Eslovàquia (Siedas), República Txeca (EYCB), Lituània , Letònia (Ligzda) i Portugal (H2o)

Un intercanvi, 11 països, més de 75 participants, diferents coneixements, experiències, perspectives… Però uns objectius comuns, compartir sobre igualtat de gènere, aprendre uns dels altres i convertir tot plegat en una inoblidable experiència a Arrouquelas, un petit de poble de Portugal molt maco, acollidor i agraït que ens va permetre, durant 10 dies, conèixer els projectes solidaris que duen a terme amb col·laboracions locals i internacionals, les tradicions, danses i menjars típics de la zona, així com també alguns dels seus millors paratges.

El programa de l’intercanvi ha estat ideal, ja que ens ha permès participar en diverses activitats, i alhora, també hem tingut temps per fer noves amistats i poder gaudir de temps d’oci en un espai compartit. Destaquem la visita al poble de Constància, on vam passar un dia esplèndid fent caiac seguint la trajectòria del riu i visitant un castell entre mig del recorregut. En acabar, vam gaudir d’un meravellós dinar tots junts i després vam tenir temps per a visitar el poble, una experiència única i inoblidable.

Les nits interculturals, eren dels moments que més gaudíem, cada país va tenir l’oportunitat de presentar les tradicions més típiques, menjars, cançons, balls… compartir ítems únics del país amb tot el campament. Van ser moments molt únics i especials que tothom hauria de viure, ja que tens l’oportunitat de conèixer les cultures d’11 països alhora, i aprendre els uns dels altres.

Una sortida inesperada, gràcies a la calor immortal, a la piscina! Va ser una tarda genial, on vam poder mostrar al poble el nostre flashmob, a més de refrescar-nos. També es recordaran amb molta estima les xerrades al bar, on els riures no s’acabaven.

En definitiva, aquests projectes son oportunitats enriquidores per a tots els joves. Us animem a participar-hi!

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Project: “Look at the same and see different”
Where: Arrouquelas, Portugal
When: 19/08/2023 to 28/08/2023
Association that hosted the exchange: H2O
Theme: gender equality and inclusion
Participating countries: Croatia (Lumen), France (Pistes Solidaires), Poland (Centrum Wspolpracy Mlodziezyentre), Hungary (Yopa), Italy (Studio Progetto), Slovakia (Siedas), Chezch Republic (EYCB), Lithuania (We Go), Latvia(Ligzda) and Portugal (H2o)

From 19th to 28th of August, we, participants from La Víbria Intercultural had the opportunity to take part in the Youth Exchange “Look at the same… And see different”, in Arrouquelas, Rio Maior, Portugal. The hosting organization, “H2O” Associação de Jovens de Arrouquelas, with 26 years of history, hosted us in a camp and organized a program of activities that were connected with the topic, gender equality, financed and supported by Erasmus +.

The main objective was to bring together 60 young people from 11 different European countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain, with diverse cultural backgrounds but with common interests to share knowledge and learn about the topic of gender equality, discrimination and social inclusion.

Also, this exchange has defined other objectives that are generally intertwined with the objectives of the Erasmus + program itself, namely: to explore gender equity and inequality in youth work realities; to
explore sectoral policies that reflect and address the special needs of young people living in rural areas; to share non-formal learning activities and creative exercises for the roles of socially designated patterns of behavior; to promote the Erasmus + Program as a tool for gender equity and equality; to promote dialogue between participants from different countries in order to promote mutual understanding and tolerance; to increase young people’s knowledge about gender equality in different dimensions; to learn to respect each opinion and deconstruct stereotypes by conducting assessment and discussion with young people from other countries.

The Organization “H2O” also cooperates with the Non-Formal Education Center, located in the village of Marmeleira, which provided a game with the same topic as a project.

The exchange program has been ideal, as it has allowed us to participate in various activities, and at the same time, we have also had time to make new friends and be able to enjoy leisure time in a shared space. We highlight the visit to the town of Constancia, where we spent a splendid day kayaking following the course of the river and visiting a castle in the middle of the route. At the end, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together and then we had time to visit the town, a unique and unforgettable experience.

The intercultural nights were some of the moments we enjoyed the most, each country had the opportunity to present the most typical traditions, food, songs, dances… share unique items from the country with the whole camp. They were very unique and special moments that everyone should experience, as you have the opportunity to experience the cultures of 11 countries at the same time, and learn from each other.

And an unexpected trip, thanks to the immortal heat, to the pool! It was a great afternoon, where we were able to show the town our flashmob, as well as cool off. The chats in the bar, where the laughter never ended, will also be fondly remembered.

In short, these projects are enriching opportunities for all young people. We encourage you to participate!