SI MONTHLY NEWS September 2008 News - Youth in Istanbul - 1
From SI Exco News
Servas Youth Conference, Istanbul 19-26 July 2008
The youth conference in Istanbul was a most remarkable event. We enjoyed a variety of workshops on world issues as well as many cultural, sport and recreational activities, including two day trips to the old town of Istanbul and the Izmit Mountains.
Some of the issues discussed on the workshops were:
• SYLE (Servas Youth Language Experience) The SYLE is a language exchange programme through which a Servas young member (18- 30+) is hosted by Servas families for approximately a month. The SYLE’s goals are language skills development, cultural immersion and tourism discovery.
I had the opportunity to share my wonderful SYLE Brittany 07 experience on this workshop. You can read the full report at: http://servasyouth.org/newsstuff/index.php?con=true&con_cod=00170
My experience served to clarify how the SYLE works and to highlight its potential. Many people in the audience showed motivation to become SYLE hosts and travellers. They also seemed keen on exploring new possibilities like a "SYLE Youth2" programme for middle aged/retired Servas travellers.
I hope Venezuela will eventually become a SYLE host country, in which case I am happy to be in charge of its coordination.
• Practical Peace (International Volunteering) The term practical peace was introduced by Ann Greenhough, Youth Development Coordinator. It refers to practical ways in which hosts and travellers can use Servas network to promote peace in their communities. Practical peace encourages hosts not only to offer travellers hospitality, but also to provide volunteering opportunities in their local communities.
An example of a practical peace project is my volunteering with PAFRAS (Positive Action for Refugees & Asylum Seekers) in Leeds, United Kingdom. This project is possible thanks to the coordination and unconditional support of Ann Greenhough and David Asher, as well as other families, like Debra Pearlman and Steve Keevash.
PAFRAS is a charity legal, material and moral support to refugees and destitute asylum seekers. Hungry and homeless, far from family and friends, unable to communicate in English yet deprived of access to education, banned from working yet unable to claim social benefits, their every day is a struggle for survival. Having been victims of violence, persecution and poverty in their countries, they cannot go back either.
PAFRAS operates with a small number of employees and its budget relies entirely on donations, therefore the help of volunteers is invaluable. My contribution to PAFRAS is, thus, highly appreciated. Needless to say, the experience of befriending refugees and asylum seekers, and working with Christine Majid, PAFRAS Project Manager and her team, has transformed my life. It has made me more sensitive and aware of the reality of war-torn countries and the suffering of its people. It has enabled me to develop new operational skills and boosted my confidence and creativity. Working with PAFRAS has given me a deeper understanding on how the voluntary and charity sector work. (An article on my full experience Servas-PAFRAS coming soon).
• Servas "Added Value" Servas population is ageing and it cannot rely on a young generation to take over. Is this a consequence of Servas modus operandi? Does Servas need to evolve and adapt to the actual times? This issue raised the following questions (1) what added value does Servas offer in comparison to other hospitality networks? And (2) how can youth registration /participation be increased? (1) As for Servas added value, participants said that:
• Servas offers more than hospitality and tourism; it offers a family and a home anywhere in the world. • Servas experience is not about where you travel, but rather about whom you meet and what you do. • Servas enables like-minded people to network, exchange ideas and resources, and support causes related to World Peace.
(2) As for the question on how to increase youth registration, participants reflected primarily on what discouraged young people from joining Servas. It was concluded that the Servas process was slow, costly and complicated in comparison to other travel networks such as Hospitality Club or “Couch Surfing” where people can register on-line anywhere, anytime.
Examples of what puts young people off are:- making bank deposits or sending cheques to receive host lists, waiting for them to come through the post or having to go pick them up and -in developing countries- having to wait months for stamps and updated host lists.
Registration and host list cost was also perceived as a discouragement for young people.
It was also mentioned that young people tend to discover Servas when they are already travelling and cannot go back to their countries for an interview. Furthermore, asking them to be hosts, and not just travellers complicates the picture, as most young people live on student accommodation or with non-Servas families.
To face up to these challenges participants suggested: • Computerising hosts lists and grant safe/confidential access to them over the Internet. • Allowing young people to be interviewed anywhere in the world, as long as they come recommended by an active Servas member. Enabling young people to join Servas as travellers and day hosts (re-affirming the value and importance of day hosting).
Musical Animation
Another activity I had the pleasure of joining in was the musical animation. In the evenings, we had joyful musical moments, including Turkish singing and dancing, led by Ozgue Karadenizli, Tugrul Nakiboglu, Oguz Karadenizli and Ozgur Nevres. We also sang songs from around the world led by an enthusiastic international team including Fabrizio Sforna (Italy) and Tugrul Nakiboglu (Turkey) on the guitars, Minna Aho on the flute (Finland), Oguz Karadenizli on the drums (Turkey) and I with the vocal leadership.
On the last evening of the conference an All Stars Night was held. All participants performed to the best of their artistic abilities. I was given the chance to sing Venezuelan music accompanied with my Cuatro (traditional Venezuelan instrument). Also, as a symbol of friendship between Venezuela and Turkey, Ozgue Karadenizli and I sang the emblematic “Yolanda” by Pablo Milanés. On my part, I joined the Turkish music group for a beautiful traditional Turkish song.
uploaded by Amelia
