Report. EVS On-arrival Training Session for Volunteers in Russia. Saint-Petersburg,

Transcription

1 EVS On-arrival Training Session for Volunteers in Russia Saint-Petersburg, Report Content: A. Framework of the on-arrival training B. Program overview C. Day-by-day program D. Results of evaluation Report: Ruzanna Ivanian

2 A. Framework of on-arrival training Dates and venue: Saint-Petersburg The training was held in an NGO kindergarten dealing with children at risk, children born from HIV parents. This social environment influenced a lot the dimension of the training giving wider perspective to social work realities in Russia and possibilities for EVS. Team: Ruzanna Ivanyan. The session was addressed to 3 volunteers in EVS projects (1 women, 2 men), coming from Poland, Finland and run in Russian. Name, Surname Sini Eräjää sini.erajaa@gmail.com skype sinierajaa tel Pawel Lassota Mariusz Szczodry orki23@poczta.onet.pl Ruzanna Ivanyan, rouzanna@youthcentre.ru Hosting organisation, Country Regional public nature conservation organisation of Karelia BOO Podorognik office@podorozhnik.org BOO Podorognik office@podorozhnik.org NGO Youth information centre Sending organisation, Country Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitto (FANC) Stowarzyszenie Wzajemnej Pomocy Bona Fides Contact person: Agata Jagoda, evs@bonafides.pl Stowarzyszenie Wzajemnej Pomocy Bona Fides Contact person: Agata Jagoda, evs@bonafides.pl Trainer Applicant organisation (coordinator), Country Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitt o (FANC) Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitt o (FANC) Suomen Luonnonsuojeluliitt o (FANC) EVS Training Budget (3 participants, 1 trainer) Expenses Calculation Sum, EURO Food 3 participants + 1 trainer, 2 days, 20 euro per day 160 Training materials 3 participants, 10 euro 30 Cultural program 3 participants+ 1 trainer*20 euro 80 Trainers fee 2 days, 120 euros, 1 trainer % for 480 preparation Phone, internet, post 30 Rent of the working rooms and equipment 60 euros per day, 2 days 120 Total: euro / 3 volunteers: 300 euro per volunteer

3 B. Program overview 5 April 6 April Discover of local reality Getting to know each other Expectations and fears Short walking tour in S- Petersburg My emotional status now My experience in EVS Curve of cultural adaptation of EVS volunteer Russia: visions and questions Iceberg model of culture and ICL steps EVS as a source for ICL Conflict management Strategies for conflict prevention and solving for future EVS as a learning process Lunch Lunch Forming of own goals Rights and responsibilities of EVS volunteer Evaluation of the day Informal time together Risk prevention Support system for volunteer Non-formal meeting with EVS volunteer of organization Perspectivu Michaela Knopp Evaluation of the training Closing Visit to a ballet Don Kihot Visit to a theatre musical Chicago

4 Training objectives: To prepare volunteers for their stay in Russia and in hosting organizations, To provide some support for their experience as volunteers, To evaluate and reflect on the volunteers' experiences in host organization To raise awareness about, and the capacity to cope with intercultural learning processes during EVS To explore (potential) conflict issues and practice conflict management strategies To support the volunteers learning processes during EVS Topics covered EVS philosophy, partnership: SO (sending organisation) HO (host organisation) volunteer Volunteers' experiences up to now, first impressions of the host organisation, country and culture Personal objectives and expectations of volunteers and HO (conflicts) Personal fears Intercultural issues preparing volunteers for some difficulties, challenges, questions, feelings that they might experience during their stay: EVS process, communication and language, dealing with conflicts, organisational cultures, integration into the local community, identity Setting objectives for the coming months Group building and networking among volunteers / creation of a support structure for the EVS

5 C. Day-by-day program Day 1 1) Good morning, energizer. Introduction to the program. Getting to know each other. After welcome words and introduction the session the volunteers did some exercises for getting to know each other. At the beginning they called their name, country where they are from and the some facts about them that nobody knows. 2) Expressing expectations and fears Each participant was to think about and write down what does he expect from the training. Expectations about the training were: More information how EVS works in Russia To understand what I am going to do after EVS What should I do when I m back to Poland What should I do to prolong my visa and stay in Russia What should I do to stay here for two years after EVS is over? To get new experience and new knowledge! New information, advises, experience! Tips for foreigners in Russia 3) My emotional level Using special picture participants had to explain how they feel now at this stage. 4) My EVS graphic Participants were asked to think individually and draw the line of their emotional status during their EVS marking key events which influenced their personal feelings. In a second stage they had to share it.

6 5) First impressions about the culture of the hosting country The participants were asked to express their impressions about Russia by using coloured papers and creating something out of it. After the work they shared their findings with others, focusing mainly on the emotional aspects and observations. Some issues were mentioned: Unreal things that can happen only in Russia, difference in prices for locals and tourists, language issue, lack of time to do everything which I would like to do. 6) EVS: rights and responsibilities. Participants got a task to write down 3-5 questions about rights and responsibilities of the hosting organisation, sending organisation, volunteer and mentor. When the questions were ready they started the competition asking and answering these questions. The questions which groups asked were: How many hours per week you are obliged to work? Can I take par in EVS for the second time? Which are the rules for getting vacations? If volunteer leaves the project is he obliged to give money back? Who is mentor? Can I change the project? 7) Evaluation of the day Participants were asked to evaluate the day by using special picture. They stressed that the day was good, it was useful to share the feelings.

7 8) Visit to a ballet Don Kihot 2 Day 1) Conflict management Volunteers were asked to draw a conflict first and describe how they understand it. They had to remember situations of conflicts or at least difficult moments during their voluntary service and share with the group. After that they had to choose one story and present it to the whole group as a sketch. Together they tried to find different ways of resolution of presented conflict. 2) Input on types and stages of conflicts Different types of conflicts were mentioned (intra-personal, inter-personal, intergroup, intercultural, national). It was stressed that conflicts are natural and neutral themselves, but bore both the potential for (positive) development and the potential for violence. What mattered was how we dealt with them, how we managed the conflict situation. The second part of the input focused on the dynamics of conflicts and their potential for escalation and de-escalation. then they had to come up recommendations about preventing and solving conflict situations. 3) My EVS objectives are The participants were invited to formulate their own professional, project-related and personal development objectives for their EVS placement. They should also identify potential challenges/obstacles and sources of help/support. Participants made work individually.

8 Objective Challenges/obstacles Support/help Professional Project related Personal development Then some recommendations from the group about risk prevention were gathered. 4) A meeting with EVS volunteer Michaela Knopp was organized in non-formal setting and volunteers could share their experience, ask advises and start creating networking. 5) Networking between volunteers - how we can help each other brainstorming Participants had time to think how they can support each other. Not to be alone 6)Evaluation Evaluation was done using the metaphors of a suitcase and trash bin. Participants indicated what they would like to take and what they would like to throw away. Last round with final comments and thank you words. 7) Visit to a theatre D. Results of evaluation Participants positively evaluated the training, expressing great interest to keep in touch closer for the rest of their volunteer service. They mentioned that they became more aware about ways to solve the problems. Using the metaphor of a trash bin and suitcase they said that they would leave aside bad experience, conflicts, bad emotions. They would pick from the training methods of solving

9 personal problems, new possibilities of conflict resolution, new view to EVS, new contacts, new information. They marked that the training was very intimate, with very positive atmosphere and empathy, good cultural program, they got many answers to questions for themselves, and it was a good break in their work. It was useful to understand better the ideology of EVS, to create connections, to learn about other EVS projects. About the concerns was one - one participant felt repetition from other educational activities, one participants would prefer to have more participants in a group.