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Text provided by Jana Tikalova or copied (on 23/10/2004)
from the NEWS of the English Section of the Web Site:
http://www.opim.cz/

Integration and Education of youth with disabilities through Arts and Sport
14-25/11/2004, Tremosna u Plzne
International youth exchange promoting integration, human rights and social inclusion of young people from Russia, Italy, Moldova and the Czech Republic.

MAIN THEMES:
Art and culture, social exclusion

TARGET GROUP:
Minority groups with various disabilities (mobility, deaf, hard of hearing, blindness) and majority - non-disabled.

WHY:

• To see that disability is not a problem and that it is not difficult for non-disabled as well as disabled young people to work, live and entertain together.
• To develop mutual understanding with people who speak different languages (including sign language) and who come from different cultural backgrounds.
• To be in direct contact with local people through some of the project activities (i.e. art exhibit, performance).

MAIN AIM:
To provide disabled and non-disabled participants with an opportunity to explore the ways education, arts and sport can combat intolerance, serve integration and social inclusion; promote communication, self-esteem and disability awareness in society.
The concept of disability identity on the level of social integration/inclusion raising awareness of human rights will be a central theme of the project.

The theme and content of the project:
As a matter of fact, most minority groups with various disabilities (mobility, deaf, hard of hearing, blindness) still find it difficult to be fully integrated in the society. We expect that this project will eliminate the encoded stereotypes of majority who unconsciously disintegrate/exclude disabled people.

• Access to education, arts and culture
• Role of arts in intercultural learning
• Reaching visibility and identity for the disabled community through the arts and sport using non-formal styles and approaches
• To attempt to make people see and perceive disabilities in terms of ability
• To show that disability is not a problem, not a handicap as such, and that it is not difficult for non-disabled to work, live and entertain with people with disabilities

The personal development of the participants:

• To be able to communicate and develop mutual understanding with people who speak different languages (including sign languages) and who come from different cultural backgrounds.
• To prepare a performance that will reach wider public.
• To exchange ideas and experience on human rights issues, and think on the ways how they can be multiplied in their own countries and contexts.

Activity programme:
Working methods - ice-breaking games, team-building activities, intercultural workshops (discussions, round tables, and games), Sport, Outdoor and Art activities, lectures, video filming for reflection and for multiplying - follow up, Radio interviews and media presentation. R-Groups (reflection groups consisted of a group of 5-8 people is an open space to the participants to express their concerns, wishes, diverse aspects of communication, education, prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination, social exclusion, the meaning of integration etc.) The Simulation Games and Group Discussions are included in order to promote the intercultural learning, non-formal education, understanding disability in the context of intercultural learning, and promoting solidarity.
Every lecture is aimed in using interactive participation. This means using experiential learning methods (from theory to practice).
As basic methods in order to achieve the aims of the exchange, Interactive Arts-based activities, Master Classes and Creative Workshops will be run; during which every participant can explore and share his/her own experience and learn from the others.
Performance and art exhibit will be arranged as an example of integration through arts, and will reach public.

EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITIES:

• Wheel-chair dancers
• Dance of blind and hard of hearing
• Story telling of mute
• Learning some words in sign language
• Creative workshops on drawing, painting, dance and theatre are included as part of the programme, along with the inputs (lectures/experts) on non-formal education; human rights and intercultural education, and integrated education and arts.

HANDS ON:
Interactive multi-arts workshops encourage independent and critical thinking skills, and promote the arts as a learning tool.
The topic of disability is infused into the arts and education in such a way as to promote discussion and new insights.

WORKING LANGUAGE:
English

ORGANISATION:
The Project is organised by OPIM (Organisation Supporting the integration of Minorities) and funded by the Youth Programme of the EU, CNA.

REFERENCE AREA:

European Commission YOUTH Site
http://www.eu.int/comm/youth
YOUTH programme > Action 1 > Youth Exchange

PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS:
OPIM (CR), ADSG (MD), FADCY (RU), C.S.S.I. (IT).

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Young people from the Czech Republic, Italy, Moldova and Russia:
• Between 18 - 25
• From minority groups with various disabilities or from majority - non-disabled
• Able to speak and understand in English (You don't need to speak fluently)
• Interested in human rights, intercultural learning and social inclusion
• Able to participate for the whole duration of the project (from 14th till 25th of November 2004)

THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS FROM CR: 5
TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 25

WOULD YOU LIKE TO YOIN US AND PARTICIPATE AT THIS PROJECT?
If yes, fill in the application form attached and send it by 3.11.2004 at this address:
OPIM (Organisation for Integration of Minorities)
39701 Pisek
Tel: +420 737 970 375
Fax: +420 382 272050
Email: info@opim.cz
http://www.opim.cz
For further information contact sarka@opim.cz, mobile: +420 737 704 823

Further information copied (on 25/10/2004) from the Web Site:
http://www.salto-youth.net/find-a-trainer/431.html?page=details

Jana Tikalova (F & Czech) was born in 1978 and is currently living in Czech Republic. The trainer has been involved in several training activities such as Training for trainers in human rights education for young people (Budapest EYCB & Hungary) and Breaking stereotypes (Istanbul).
Jana has been involved in the youth work since 1998, developing her work as a trainer and consultant in the youth filed. She is a member of the Pool of Trainers of the Council of Europe. Jana combines anthropology, her academic background, and her specialisation in the topics of human rights, non-formal education, intercultural education, minority and migration issues. She is currently working as a free lance trainer at national and international levels.

Jana Tikalova

• Report and pictures

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