As some of you know currently we have two different projects in the Donetsk Youth Debate Center. This and the follow up blog will be presenting these projects.
Bring European Awareness to Ukraine
Axel
What is European Awareness for you?
For me European Awareness is the understanding of different cultures, that nit necessarily means that somebody has to have a broad knowledge of the different European cultures and countries or appreciation of such, but rather the ability to respect and to handle cultural differences, for me that particularly means the differences in between Sweden and Ukraine. Although Ukraine is a part of Europe for me, it is definitely a very different and weird part of our continent.
What do you do to promote European Awareness?
I think that the knowledge of foreign languages opens a lot of doors. Here many people think that you can really only know one language, but I beg to differ. This is also something I try to teach my students. I also conduct singing clubs, there I focus on intercultural exchange, mainly through discussions.
What do you want to achieve until the end of your project?
Well, I want to show and prove to teachers, students and also parents that there is another way to teach English: in an informal and relaxed way. And that this works just as well or even better than the formal education here in Ukraine.
Maggie
What is European Awareness for you?
When I think of European Awareness I think of understanding, understanding different cultures, different traditions, different points of view and so on. European Awareness for me is linked to European values, such as equality or freedom of speech. All of these ideas already exist in the Ukraine but it takes someone different, someone like me, to bring it to the surface.
What do you do to promote European Awareness?
I particularly focus on human rights education. When I talk to kids, students or adults I can see that there is a lot to do here until people in Ukraine have reached a state of awareness. As I said before it already exists, they can hear it on the radio or watch it on TV. What they need is to think about controversial topics, because I think they do not, or way too little. They need to heard different opinions or listen to statements to actively make up their mind. And that’s were I play my part. I try to confront them and basically tease it our of them. Once they think about these topics, not only during my lessons but also at home, I have been successful. I don’t want to force my opinions on them, so I only make them think. This is how I promote European Awareness.
What do you want to achieve until the end of your project?
My goal is to make a difference. Sounds way too cheesy, but it’s true. As I said before I want to know that I made people think. Even if there is no outcome, or not the outcome I am hoping for, it is important to me that they at least considered different opinions or thought about their own opinion. This is enough of a difference to me.
Jorge
What is European Awareness for you?
I think European Awareness is, being aware that you are not the only one country, but that all of us, whether you are from Spain, Sweden, Austria or Ukraine, all of us are related. We all have to deal with the same problems, the crisis, poverty, education and so on. You cannot live isolated from your neighboring states, but rather work with them to solve each others issues. I think that that’s a great advantage of the European Union. Since the Ukraine is surrounded by European Union countries it is definitely important to work on European Awareness in this country.
What do you do to promote European Awareness?
I introduce the people here to different countries, not only mine but also the ones of other volunteers. I introduce them to different cultures, traditions, languages and different ways to think, through presentations, speaking clubs and language courses. For me knowledge is key, the more you know the more accepting, respectful and therefore more likely to at some point be part of the European Union you are.
What do you want to achieve until the end of your project?
For me EVS is not only about me, it is about sharing my knowledge with others. It is amazing to have a possibility to have a cultural exchange. My aim is to open the eyes of people here. They should be able to perceive everything with knowledgeable eyes. They should be able to work together on one big goal, for many it is to become part of the European Union. This is what I want to do. I want them to, when they have the possibility to join this great institution to be ready.