EUROPEAN/NORTH AFRICAN YOUTH EXCHANGE ON MIGRATION

"Migration: the Illusions and the Realities"

Introduction

This is a youth exchange programme that forms part of our efforts to foster understanding of the issue of migration and a campaign for tolerance of other cultures and religions. It supports our work with the youth on the theme: "Towards a new conception of migration" ; an effort to create a frame-work within which young people especially those of minority/migrant youth groups, could be involved in the solution-seeking process at the European level. It is also in line with our development education mission of establishing the links between migration, racism, xenophobia, cultural and religious intolerance and the North-South dichotomy.

Objectives

• To sensitise participants about the root causes of migration, providing them a space to jointly educate themselves and deliberate on creative initiatives of addressing these issues. An opportunity to exchange perceptions and view-points, learn about the dreams and frustration, the gains and adversities of migration and encourage the development of tolerance for and solidarity with "victims".
• To draw attention to the role of the European Union and the countries of the south in tackling the root causes of migration. The conference will also focus on the European Union's "migration policy" and its importance in the fight against racism, xenophobia and intolerance.
• To strengthen ties and working relationships with youth groups from southern countries, especially those making efforts from within to find solutions.

Content and Methodology

The programme will involve several levels of interaction and learning. It will involve keynote addresses by experts in plenary sessions and the sharing of experiences and ideas during interactive workshops. There shall be a chance to analyse information and migration projections for the 21st century, as well an opportunity to consolidate resolutions into concrete lines of action. There will also be an occasion to explore the Tunisian reality; the people, their land and their culture.

The programme shall be structured such as to respond to the expectations, the needs and the interests of participants. The aspiration will be to create a democratic atmosphere of tolerance, to openly address the theme of the conference.

Language

With the facilitation methods to be employed and the use of simultaneous and consecutive translations (for small groups), we hope that language will not be an obstacle to participation. The main working languages for the plenary sessions will be English, French and Spanish. In the working groups it will be possible to communicate in German, Dutch, Italian and Arabic as well.

Participation

Participation is open to all; with special emphasis on youth groups and organisations working with first and second generation immigrants from the large Urban centres of Europe. They may be full-time, part-time or voluntary youth workers. The participants from North Africa will be from partner organisations in Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. The conference is intended to accommodate a total of 45 participants from Europe (East and West) and North Africa. A selection procedure will be adopted in order to have a good balance of participation; geographically as well as gender wise; ensuring participation of young people from different socio-cultural backgrounds.

Planned follow-up activities

As follow-up to this event we hope to forward the resolutions and petitions of the conference to various institutions and organisation such as the European parliament, the EU Migrants Forum, lobby groups and youth organisation. These resolutions shall also be formally presented during events and happenings. One such event being the London Notting Hill Carnival this summer, where some of the petitions will be highlighted with floats banners and slogans.