Beyond Europe Project Outline 2010-01

8/14/2019 Beyond Europe Project Outline 2010-01

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AEGEE Europe

Rue Nestor de Tiere 151030 Brussels, Belgium

www.aegee.org

Rue Nestor de Tire 15 - B-1030 Brussels - Tel +32-2-245 2300 - Fax +32-2-245 6260http://www.aegee.org - e-mail:[email protected] Belgium SA/NV 310 - 1586245 - 90; ING Belgium NV Breda Branch 0209963204Registration: ASS 74795 P (Prfecture de Police, Paris); AISBL 472022289 (Belgium)

BEYOND EUROPE - PERSPECTIVES FOR

TOMORROWS WORLD

BEYOND EUROPE -Perspectives for Tomorrows World

European Students Forum

Association des Etats Gnraux des Etudiants de lEurope


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Table of Contents

I. Project Summary 3

II. Why Beyond Europe? 4

III. Mission Statement 5

IV. Aim and Objectives 6

V. Project Structure 7

VI. Sub-projects

One World Conventions on Global Challenges 8

The UN Millennium Development Goals A Challenge for Todays Youth? 10

EuroArabUnderstanding each others Challenges 12

Euro-US student forum 14

VII. Expected Outcomes 16

VIII. Duration and Timeline 17

IX. Partner Organisations 18

X. Project Team 19


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BEYOND EUROPE - PERSPECTIVES FOR TOMORROWS WORLD

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Beyond Europe Perspectives for Tomorrows World is the flagship project of AEGEE-Europe in

2010/11. The project aims at empowering young people in and outside Europe to tackle global

challenges.

We believe that the challenges of todays world, more than ever before in the history of mankind,

are of a global nature. We also believe that the only sustainable solutions to these challenges must be

part of a collective effort. As young people will be the most affected in the world of tomorrow, they

bear a special responsibility today.

We recognise our common responsibility with regard to serious challenges such as global poverty,

climate change, violations of human rights, regional conflicts and scarce resources, and we set

ourselves the aim of empowering youth around the world to find viable solutions to these and other

challenges.

We want to discover and learn with young people in and outside Europe about global challenges

and actions undertaken to tackle them. We believe that in order to meet these challenges, it is crucial

to encourage youth involvement. Young people shall serve as multipliers in their societies using the

knowledge, experience and skills acquired in the course of the project. Furthermore we are

determined to create a culturally diverse work environment and to increase intercultural dialogue

among youth organisations in the world.

Project Summary


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Why Beyond Europe?

It is only this One World that we are sharing

Global challenges are challenges that affect the world as a whole. Today, a large number of human

beings face severe problems in their every day life, difficulties that we might not be aware of while en-

joying the fortune of living in Europe. However, it is one world that we are sharing. Constraints to

some have become challenges to all. This deeper understanding the perception of the world as one

interconnected entity lies at the heart of this project.

The other major assumption underlying the motivation behind this project is that youth is decisive

to build a promising future. In a world ravaged by extreme poverty, hunger and disease, in a world at

risk from the consequences of climate change, in a world of unequal resources and conflict, young

people bear a special responsibility to effect positive change today for a brighter future tomorrow. If it

is the one world notion binding us together then it is the acknowledgement of young peoples role in it

that conveys a powerful message and a key for sustainable solutions.

Global challenges are constraints to all humanity

The global challenges we face happen to be manifold. There is no exclusive final list of challenges

that we are confronting. All examples ultimately differ in perception. Nevertheless, there is little

doubt that issues like global poverty and hunger are causing disastrous effects on mankind. The di-

vide between rich and poor, between the emancipated and constrained ones is enormous. The impact

of climate change is experienced by all and hits the disadvantaged the most. Violations of human

rights seem to be daily business. Conflicts and violence have severe effects on human communities

and individuals alike. These and other issues constitute what we call global challenges.

Global Challenges require Global Action

In order to find viable solutions to these issues, youth has to assume responsibility on a global

level. As youth guarantees sustainability, it is global action that enables us to make a difference. With

Beyond Europe we therefore aim at empowering youth around the world to tackle these global chal-

lenges. As the European Students Forum, we have the capabilities and resources to join the collective

effort in light of these challenges by developing Perspectives for Tomorrows World.


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Mission Statement

WE, AS MEMBERS OF AEGEE

REALISING THAT TODAYS YOUTH ARE THE CITIZENS SHAPING TOMORROWS WORLD

ASPIRING TO A STABLE AND PEACEFUL WORLD WITH EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY WHEREDIFFERENT CULTURES LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE WORLD UNITED IN DIVERSITY

RECALLING AEGEES MAIN FIELDS OF ACTION, NAMELY ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP, PEACE AND STABILITY,CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION

GATHERING OUR PAST EXPERIENCES WITHIN EUROPE AND BROADENING OUR PERSPECTIVES GOINGBEYOND EUROPE

RESOLVED TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES CREATED BY PREJ UDICES, IGNORANCE AND INDIFFERENCE

DETERMINED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO FACE GLOBAL CHALLEN-GES

CREATING DIALOGUE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLDIN ORDER TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE, RESPECT AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

HEREBY DECLARE:

OUR BELIEF THAT THE WORLD SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HAS EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TODEVELOP IN RESPECT OF THE DIGNITY OF OTHER HUMAN BEINGS

OUR FAITH IN THE ABILITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO CHANGE THE WORLD

OUR DETERMINATION TO ESTABLISH A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE, EXCHANGE AND UNDERSTANDING,

AS WELL AS YOUTH PARTNERSHIPS ALL OVER THE WORLD TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER IN AN OPEN-MINDED ATMOSPHERE

OUR INTENTION TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM IN- AND OUTSIDE EUROPE ABOUT ISSUES OF GLO-BAL IMPORTANCE,TRAINING AND ENABLING THEM TO BE MULTIPLIERS IN THEIR LOCAL SOCIETIES

OUR DESIRE TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO EMANCIPATE,TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE AN ACTI-VE ROLE IN THEIR SOCIETIES AND TO ENGAGE IN INITIATIVES ON ALL LEVELS, STARTING FROM THE

GRASSROOTS

OUR STRONG CONVICTION THAT BEYOND EUROPE PERSPECTIVES FORTOMORROWS WORLDWILL CONTRIBUTE TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION AND GOALS

Developed at the Concept Development Meeting for Beyond Europe in June 2009


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Project Structure


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One World Convention on Civilisations

October 2010 (Pre-AGORA)

Istanbul

One World Convention on Water

December 2010

Groningen

One World Convention on ??? (theme will be defined by poll on website)

February 2011

Open Call will be issued in spring 2010


March 2011

Open Call will be issued in spring 2010


May 2011

Open Call will be issued in mid-2010

The One World Convention Series will consist of eight conventions in total. The decision-making

process will be democratic and transparent. Themes for most conventions will be defined according to

the outcomes of the poll on our website where we ask visitors Which global challenges should be ex-

amined and tackled by the Beyond Europe Project?. The venue of these conventions will then be de-

fined by an Open Calls for host locals issued inside the AEGEE network.

The outcomes of the One World Convention Series will be presented together with results of the other

subprojects of Beyond Europe at a final conference in the autumn 2011.



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The flagship project 'Beyond Europe Perspectives for Tomorrow's World' is literally going beyond.

The sub-project 'The UN Development Goals A Challenge for Today's Youth' constitutes a strong

pillar of the flagship reaching out to communities in India and South Africa.

Our world is one in which 1.5 billion people live in extreme poverty, 9 million children die every year,

and 75 million more are denied primary education. Our world is still plighted by diseases like HIV

and AIDS that together kill 2 million people every year, a world where women are often relegated to

second rank, and the struggle for wealth is destroying the conditions of life for future generations.

In 2000, world leaders set far-reaching goals to free humanity from poverty, hunger, illiteracy and

disease, to ensure gender equality, a global partnership for development and respect for the environ-

ment. These were the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Aware of our role and potential as the youth of todays world, we have decided to respond to this

global call for action by launching, in the framework of AEGEEs Flagship Project Beyond Europe

Perspectives for Tomorrows World, the initiative UN Millennium Development Goals - A Challenge

for Todays Youth?.

The project aims to empower young people to contribute to the achievement of the UN Millennium

Development Goals by 2015. The project mobilises youth in Europe, India and South Africa, and lays

the basis for a sustainable partnership between young citizens in these three regions.

The project will have a duration of 12 months, and it will consist of four main activities, 1. Preliminary

Meeting In Brussels (Belgium) in December 2009, a Case-study trip to Baroda (India), in June 2010,

one to Cape Town (South Africa) in September 2010, and a Final Conference in Utrecht (The Nether-

lands) in November 2010.

The two case study trips will give the opportunity to members of AEGEE to experience first-hand the

efforts towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in India and South Africa. The

Final Conference, which will be attended by a group of young Indians and South Africans, will present

the results of the two case study trips.



Subproject

The UN Millennium Development GoalsA Challenge for Todays Youth


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December 2009

Preliminary Meeting in Brussels (Belgium)

June 2010

Case-study Trip to Baroda (India)

September 2010

Case-study Trip to Cape Town (South Africa)

November 2010

Final Conference in Utrecht (The Netherlands)

The project is financed by the Youth in Action Programme, Action 3.2. Youth in the World.


United Nations Millennium Development Goals

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2. Achieve universal primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Reduce child mortality

5. Improve maternal health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop a global partnership for development


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The initiative EuroArabUnderstanding each others Challenges shares aim and objectives of Be-

yond Europe, adding a special focus on comparisons of different youth NGOs and working methods in

Europe and the Arab region. The project has a duration of one year and involves more than 100 peo-

ple from Europe and the Arab region. The initiative will be implemented by a cooperation of the Euro-

pean Students Forum AEGEE-Europe and the Students Forum Institute Bethlehem.

Aim:

AEGEE, SFI and their partners aim at empowering young people in Europe and the Arab region to

tackle global challenges.

Objectives of this initiatve:

1) Create an educational dialogue with young people from Europe and the Arab region about

global challenges and actions undertaken to tackle them.

2) Encourage youth involvement in the collective effort to tackle global challenges.

3) Inspire young people to become successful multipliers in their societies using the knowledge,

experience and skills acquired during the course of the project.

4) Create a culturally diverse work environment and enhance intercultural dialogue between

youth organisations in Europe and the Arab region.

Planned Activities:

Volunteering activities

prior to the Case Study Trips in April and September 2010

Case Study Trip to Palestine and Jordan

April/May 2010

Case Study Trip to Europe (Aachen, Kln, Maastricht)

October 2010

Training Course in Ankara

Spring 2011



Subproject

Euro-ArabUnderstanding each others Challenges


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Volunteering activities:

Three weeks prior to the CSTs, a volunteer from the respective partner organisation will visit the host-

ing organisation in order to participate in the preparation and organisation of the event. The volun-

teering activities constitute a great opportunity for intercultural learning and shall enable the volun-

teers to identify different approaches in youth work and hence facilitate a lasting knowledge transfer

between the partners. The knowledge and experience gained during this volunteering activity will

then be shared with the fellow participants of the project.

Case Study Trips:

The aim of both CSTs is to analyse how young people in the Arab region and Europe perceive global

challenges and which initiatives are underway to tackle them. Furthermore, an intensive exchange on

working methods shall provide the participants with an accurate picture of differences and similari-

ties of youth work in Europe and the Arab region.

Among the activities during the CSTs are field visits to NGOs, lectures, workshops and street actions.

Each event will be attended by 15 Arabic and 15 European participants and the programme will be

prepared and lead by 2 Arabic and 2 European trainers.

Training Course / Final event:

The final event serves as a follow-up of the two CSTs and as a starting point for new joint initiatives to

tackle global challenges. Its objectives are to share the experiences of the CSTs, to provide an insight

into problems and opportunities of youth work and to share best practice examples of international

youth work. Participants will be informed about concepts of intercultural learning and non-formal

education. Expected outcomes are recommendations for intercultural cooperation between European

and Arab youth NGOs and a roadmap to follow-up activities and sustainable partnerships.

The final event will be attended by 45 participants and 5 experienced facilitators. Turkey as the meet-

ing point between the Arab and European cultures constitutes the perfect venue for this final event.


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The answers to a complex set of global challenges can only be collective, it is young people from

Europe and the United States who will make up the future foundations of a transatlantic response

to these challenges. As the COP 15 climate change summit showed, international consensus is

more needed than ever before but it appears to be a rare commodity.

Students from Europe and the United States might be sharing similar perspectives on several is-

sues such as security and human rights. Yet major differences remain and the need for cooperation

is more evident in light of huge challenges confronting the world in the 21st century.

Therefore a Euro-US student forum shall be established as a substantial component of the Beyond

Europe project. In compliance with our overall aim empowerment of young people to tackle

global challenges the forum targets European and US students trying to bridge the transatlantic

divide on major issues such as climate change, trade and a wide range of other policy issues.

The forum wants to raise awareness among European and US students on the various challenges

ahead. It serves as a platform to exchange different perspectives and learn about each others con-

cerns, approaches and practices with regard to the challenges we encounter. We want to encour-

age young people to get involved in the collectives efforts to tackle global challenges and inspire

European and US students to become multipliers using the knowledge, experience and skills ac-

quired during the course of the project.

This set of objectives shall be implemented in two subsequent events. The first conference shall

convene a mixed group of 40-50 European and US students in Madrid in autumn 2010. A second

conference taking place in the United States, shall ensure continuity and reciprocity. It serves as a

first point of reference for common projects and follow up initiatives.



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Subproject

Euro-US Student Forum


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Target Group:

European students

US students

Aims:

to raise awareness among European and US students on global challenges and actions under-

taken to tackle them with regard to the transatlantic alliance

to exchange perspectives on approaches and practices to tackle these global challenges

to encourage youth involvement and collective efforts to tackle global challenges

to inspire European and US students to become successful multipliers using the knowledge

experience and skills acquired during the course of the project

Activities:

Conference on global challenges with regard to Euro-US relations in Madrid in autumn 2010

Second follow up conference in the US in spring 2011

Selection of participants:

the first conference should convene a mixed group of 40-50 European and US students

for the second conference in the United States preference will be given to those participants

who already attended the first conference. By this we want to ensure continuity (e.g. common

follow up projects and initiatives)

Expected Results:

group of European and US students committed to working together beyond the actual con-

ferences

common follow up initiatives and projects

practical ideas and innovative solutions to tackle global challenge from a student perspective



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Expected Outcomes

The flagship project Beyond EuropePerspectives for Tomorrows World has to be considered as one

of the most ambitious projects in AEGEE's recent history. Steering this organisation and its mem-

bersboth mentally and physicallybeyond Europe will lead to a new set of risks and opportunities.

The fortune of living in Europe should be recognized as such. As the European Students Forum we

have the resources, possibilities and opportunities to take responsibility already today in light of un-

precedented present and future challenges facing the world. The aim and objectives of the project are

our foundation and points of reference through all the course of the project. As benchmarks and

points of reference we envision the following concrete outcomes:

Sustainable partnerships with (youth-led) organisations on local, regional and global level

Follow Up action and common initiatives developed in the course of the project

Various forms of ongoing discussions on global challenges

Enhanced understanding of global challenges and innovative solutions to tackle them

Individual and organisational student networks around the world

Online platform / database covering all events and their conclusions regarding particular

global challenges

Media coverage and wide-ranging visibility of the project

The results and all outcomes of the implemented activities will be presented a final conference due to

take place in autumn 2011.


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Duration and Timeline


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Partner Organisations

To achieve our aim AEGEE partners with a wide range of partners on local, regional and global

level. A few of them facilitating and supporting the parts of the project literally going beyond

Europe will be mentioned here:

AIESEC-Baroda (MDGs initiative)

AIESEC is an international youth organisation exploring and developing youth leadership poten-

tial for positive social change. AIESEC has a global presence and AIESEC Baroda is an Indian an-

tenna. AIESEC Baroda is responsible for a project called One World whose vision is to present

global perspectives in order to empower Indian youth to positively influence Indian society and the

world community by presenting global perspectives.

Brethren Colleges Abroad (Euro-US forum)

Rooted in the values of peace and justice, BCA promotes international understanding, awareness

of global citizenship and academic scholarship through educational exchange. It is an independent

study abroad program provider for US students with more than a dozen programs around the

world serving more than 100 U.S. colleges and universities.

Foundation for International Education (Euro-US forum)

FIEs mission is to provide high quality educational experiences to the global community. As an

educational organization, FIE is dedicated to active engagement with, and awareness of, our envi-

ronmental impacts and responsibilities. FIE is committed to fostering a sustainable future by im-

plementing initiatives to encourage practices such as ethical consumption, fair trade and education

of those within our community.


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Gujarat Public School BRG Group (MDGs initiative)

The Gujarat Public School (GPS) has a well-established record of dedication to youth empower-

ment and development. GPS has been involved in exchange programmes beforehand and has ex-

pressed great support for the project. GPS has also held a UN Millennium Development Goals Oath

taking ceremony.

Social Justice Coalition (MDGs initiative)

Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is a newly-born movement established in 2008 as a Civil Society re-

sponse to the alleged lack of political leadership in the South African government and its institu-

tions. SJCs main focus is to address the economic and social inequalities that afflict South African

society and the African continent, considered to be at the heart of phenomena like crime, xenopho-

bia, hate crimes and gender-based violence.

Students Forum Institute Bethlehem (EuroArab)

The Student Forum Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental and non-partisan organisation de-

termined to support and strengthen a democratic Palestinian society that is based on justice and

equality by enhancing the political and social competence, confidence and capabilities of Palestin-

ian students and youth.



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Mary Kaldor

Mary Kaldor is Professor and Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Gover-

nance, London School of Economics and Political Science. She previously worked

at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and the Science

Policy Research Unit and the Sussex European Institute at the University of Sus-

sex. Her books include The Baroque Arsenal(1982) The Imaginary War (1990)

New and Old Wars: Organised Violence in a Global Era (1999) Global Civil Socie-

ty: An Answer to War (2003). She was a founder member of European Nuclear

Disarmament (END), founder and Co-Chair of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly,

and a member of the International Independent Commission to investigate the

Kosovo Crisis, established by the Swedish Prime Minister and chaired by Richard Goldstone, which published

theKosovo Report(Oxford: OUP) in autumn 2000. Mary Kaldor was also convenor of the study group on Euro-

pean Security Capabilities established at the request of Javier Solana, which produced the Barcelona report, A

Human Security Doctrine for Europe and in 2007 the follow-up report,A European Way of Security: The

Madrid Report of the Human Security Study Group.

James Skelly

James Skelly is currently a Visiting Professor of Peace Studies at Magee College of

the University of Ulster in Derry, Northern Ireland; a Senior Fellow at the Baker

Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Juniata College in Pennsylvania; and,

Coordinator for Peace & Justice Programming for BCA, an international education

organization. He holds a BA from the University of Minnesota, and an MA and

PhD from the University of California, San Diego. He has served in administrative

and research positions at the University of Californias Institute on Global Conflict

& Cooperation; New York Universitys Center for War, Peace and the News Media;

the Institute of International Studies, at the University of California, Berkeley;

and, the European University Center for Peace Studies in Austria. His research and teaching interests are rooted

in the sociology of knowledge and focus on reality construction related to issues of peace and conflict including a

focus on the moral and political dilemmas of soldiers, which arises from his refusal to serve as a military officer

in Vietnam a subsequent lawsuit against the United States Secretary of Defense helped to redefine the criteria

for in-service conscientious objection. He has written and edited numerous articles informed by these research

interests including a recent special edition of Peace Review on war and the dilemmas of soldiers, and articles

focused on the political and moral dilemmas that confront soldiers in the Iraq war that have been published in

openDemocracy.



Patrons


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Project Manager Christian Eichenmller

Content Manager Mario Giuseppe Varrenti

Financial Manager Fotis Kanavos

Human Resources Manager Prisca Merz

External Relations Julia Batkaeva

Peter Seenan

Fundraising Ignazio Romeo

Maciej Gad

Marta Gutirrez Benet

Public Relations Agnija Kazua

Anna Petrova

Cezary Szczepaniuk

Communication & Innovation Ramn Martnez

Website and IT Thomas Nijzink

Documentation Isabel Prez

Project Team



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Rue Nestor de Tire 15 - B-1030 Brussels - Tel +32-2-245 2300 - Fax

+32-2-245 6260http://www.aegee.org - e-mail:[email protected] Belgium SA/NV 310 - 1586245 - 90; ING Belgium NV BredaBranch 0209963204

AEGEE EuropeRue Nestor de Tiere 151030 Brussels, Belgium

www.aegee.org

BEYOND EUROPE - PERSPECTIVES FOR

TOMORROWS WORLD

Beyond Europe Project Outline 2010-01

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