No shell on the shelf: a tool to promote social inclusion

The training course No Shell on the Shelf: a tool for promoting social inclusion  took place at the Nicosia Youth Hostel of Cyprus Youth Board between 25 and 30 October 2011. Sixteen young people aged 18-31 years old from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Cyprus (4 from each country)  participated.

The training team comprised three trainers, while one person acted as supporting staff, all from the Pool of Trainers of the Cyprus Youth Council. The  training course aimed at enhancing the participants’ awareness on how certain minorities, groups or individuals are socially excluded on the basis of their status, life choices or beliefs and encouraged them to take a stand against racism and social exclusion. The TC also focused on the concept and methodology of Human Library and included the staging of a Human Library with the participants’ involvement. The participants undertook the commitment of registering themselves as official HL organizers and organizing at least one HL in their own country. Non Formal Education methods were applied during the training course. During the project non formal education activities, such as simulations, role-plays, ice breakers, energizers, group building games, Theatre of the Oppressed, Image Theatre, Invisible Theatre and the actual staging of a Human Library were implemented. The training sessions combined a thoroughly designed balance between theory and experiential learning. Also, brainstorming and discussions both in working groups and in the plenary took place during the course, while inputs from experts  supported the participants‘learning. Before the realization of the project, the learning needs of the participants were taken under consideration at the stage of the programme‘s designing. The final program was sent both to the partners and to the participants and they had the opportunity to asses it and make suggestions for improvement. Moreover, at the end of each day of the project, the participants were split into three reflection groups and gave their on-going evaluation. The trainers constantly adapted the programme according to the participants‘ comments.