Earthquake of the Heart
Detraumatizing children and youth in the earthquake zone of Chincha, Peru. The aim is to transmit social values such as overcoming fear, conflict resolution, increase self esteem and enhance communication and team building skills.
An ongoing project.

www.earthquakeoftheheart.com

ACT OUT - Working with Street Kids
Using theatre methods to help young people living on the streets or in risk thereof to promote personal development, self-confidence, intercultural exchange and reintegration into society.

The object was to teach youth workers from China, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Germany and Austria skills of how to create “Theatre of Life” plays with young people at the edge of society. As a result, theatre pieces were developed in all partner countries and performed for public audiences.
Produced material: a workbook, a DVD, theatre scripts .

Project website: www.act-out.org.

Project duration: Nov 06 – Oct 07.
Supported by the European Commission in Brussels, Youth in Action program.

Intercultural InterACTion
Awarded by the European Commission as „Best practice project on European level“

In July 2007, for one week, in the beautiful wilderness that is West Cork Ireland, training was held for youth workers and youths. It involved 22 participants from 11 countries with the purpose to teach the Galli theatre technique, empower youth and increase intercultural understanding.

Theatre work and in particular The Galli Method is useful in working with young people and intercultural groups, as it the breaks down barriers, inhibitions and facilities open an honest communication.
Supported by the Irish National Agency “Youth in Action” program, action 4.3.

PEACE – Power Exchange through Acting

interCultural Experience

The main goal of the project was to contribute to the understanding of cultural differences in European countries, especially on non-verbal communication, and remove communication barriers in direct intercultural interaction.

The main resource for gathering information about the different cultures was the historic archetypal knowledge we find in fairytales, myths, legends and sagas of the respective countries. To access this knowledge learners were shown how to use the Galli Method to discover cultural specifics in a creative way. The knowledge gained through the process was then shared in public performances, workshops and conferences with a culturally mixed audience of learners such as teachers, social workers, distance students, seniors, the unemployed, and the broad local community. 2006 - 2009.

Supported by the European Commission, Grundtvig program.

Acting for a drug-free life

“Acting for a drug-free life” was a training conducted in Baku, Azerbaijan, in July 07. The training aimed to teach professional European youth workers effective teaching modules for social inclusion with a special focus on drug-prevention. In nowadays society it is very difficult to convince young people that taking drugs is harming their lives and inhibiting them from leading a successful and responsible life. Drugs are not only harming the body and health, but also influencing the character of a person. People who are taking drugs are less likely able to take on responsibility – not only for themselves but also for other people like partners, children or in their professional life. They lose their interest in communication, teamwork and intercultural exchange and do not pursue a career that can nurture them. Through acting and theatre young people can be attracted to work on drug prevention.

Supported by the Austrian National Agency “Youth in Action” program, action 3.1.

Stairway to Change
An intercultural youth project
The project composed from 5 partner organizations from Europe, Africa, South America and North America wants to help marginalized young people in an artistic way to get a voice to express themselves and exchange their opinions, feelings and visions about the current cultural, religious and societal situation in their countries. The way to express and exchange will be through making a documentary film. The project is supported by the European Commission. The project started on Dec 1, 2008.
www.thedoorisopen.eu


The Will to Dream
Using theatre and video in adult prison education

Increasingly theatre and video have become an important aspect in helping prisoners and ex-offenders gain confidence, realise their potential, avoid recidivism and even find new careers. Arts groups such as the London Shakespeare Workout in London, the Prison Arts Foundation in Belfast, and the Galli-Group in Vienna, alongside formal institutions like Mountjoy Prison in Dublin and City College Manchester, have for many years been actively involved in this process. From this background ‘The Will to Dream’ emerged, focusing on the practical use of theatre and video in adult prison education, particularly in countries in eastern and central Europe with limited experience of these areas. The project concentrates on developing strategies, approaches and learning material to encourage and promote theatre and video in adult prison education, including the involvement of professional practitioners. Supported by the European Commission, Grundtvig program.
More information: www.willtodream.com

2006 - 2009

PAN – Prison Arts Network

This initiative arose through discussions between the European Prison Education Association, an NGO of the Council of Europe focused on Prison Education, and the Comenius Big Picture Network, exploring post-16 non-advanced arts education, during which the need was identified for creating a specific European network focusing on prison arts education. Issues of special concern related to the context, support, strategies and practice of delivering arts education for adult offenders and ex-offenders in a European context.

Project website: www.panproject.org

The project duration is 3 years. The project started in October 06. Supported by the European Commission, Grundtvig program.