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  1. Call for applications: Lingua Franca Leadership Training 2019

    Call for Participants

    World Student Christian Federation in Europe, in cooperation with Otto per Mille Chiesa Valdese, is organising the

    Leadership Training Programme Lingua Franca

    14 – 19 May 2019 , Georgia

     

    What? Leadership Training Programme Lingua Franca Shared Future, Shared Responsibilities: Empowering New Generation of Europeans

    When? 14 – 19 May, 2019

    Where? Georgia

     

    Have you heard that the all time favourite programme Lingua Franca is happening this year in May? But what is Lingua Franca actually?

    Leadership training: to assist student movement-building in Eastern and Central Europe since early ’90s. This was due to the fact that independent youth work had often faced severe restrictions due to political situations until then in Eastern Europe. Lingua Franca works to empower people to be independent, critical and respectful thinkers, and to be such leaders in their communities. Leadership training is our aim for both volunteers who deliver the programme, as well as those who benefit from the programme.

    Language training: English as the main language of political change is the privilege that is not available to everyone. At Lingua Franca, we strive to make this “privilege” more accessible to young people who really need it. During the training, simple English is used, which makes it easier to create group cohesion.

    Our approach is to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and confident to contribute to discussions with different levels of language skills.

    Ecumenical and inter-cultural encounter: another aim of the Lingua Franca has been to bring together young Christians from all over Central and Eastern Europe to discover their own cultural differences and similarities, to discuss  country-specific issues, as well as to inspire them to get active in their home environments to promote tolerance and inclusion.

    Check out some testimonials or pictures from past Lingua Franca events. 

    Why join the Lingua Franca Leadership Training Programme?

    You are an active young person and would like to be engaged even more? Would you like to improve your professional competence on how to develop, manage and promote advocacy strategies and new ways of participation?

    You can identify and share challenges as well as solutions with other young people from different backgrounds? You want to learn how to transfer the knowledge through developing a training course model that can be adapted and translated into local context?

    If you want to learn how to put skills into practice, reflect on empowerment and encourage networking, best practice sharing approaches in the field of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, then join us in Georgia.

    Application Procedures and Deadlines:

    The training is open to students and young people from the WSCF-Europe member movements (SCMs) in Europe, contact groups and partner organisations.

    Great opportunity for young people aged between 18-30 years old (exceptions are possible when justified) from different European countries to reflect and improve their approach to youth empowerment and youth leadership, with a specific focus on advocacy, campaigning and grassroots interventions. Join us in Georgia.

    You can submit your application through the online application form by March 7th 2019.

    Practical and Financial Information:

    Participation fee: Full participation fee is 170 €, which includes board and lodging for the duration of the training course. For the delegates of the SCMs in Europe wishing to be represented at the meeting but not able to meet the costs, there is a possibility to apply for a reduced participation fee. Please contact us at: .

    Travel costs: Delegates are expected to cover their own travel costs to Georgia, but if you require financial support in order to attend, there is a possibility to apply for a scholarship for your travel costs. Please contact us at before buying travel tickets.

    Visas: Visa costs will be reimbursed by WSCF-Europe. We will issue an invitation letter that should facilitate the delivery of visas to attend the training course.

    The preparatory team is looking forward to seeing you in Georgia.


    Yulia Bajelidze, WSCF Global Advocacy and Solidarity Committee Member  

    Christiane Gebauer, WSCF-Europe Programme Coordinator

    Ramy Farouk, WSCF-Europe Volunteer

    Pavlina Manavska, WSCF-Europe Campaign Coordinator

    Natia Tsintsadze, World Student Christian Federation Executive for Europe

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    February 22nd, 2019 1:11 am | Continue Reading

  2. Download your free 2019 WSCF-E Calendar!

     

    Step by step guidance on how to print your own 2019 WSCF-E Calendar:

    1. Download Page 1 and Page 2 of the calendar.
    2. Print the pages on the front and back of an A2 sheet.
    3. Fold the A2 sheet into 4, making sure that on each side you have two white end pages and two central pages with the months and dates on.
    4. Bring the two white end pages together, making sure the calendar takes a pyramid/triangular shape.

     

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    February 13th, 2019 12:54 am | Continue Reading

  3. Daniel Jara

    Daniel Jara
    Mozaik Editor-in- Chief

    Daniel is a 29 years-old theologian and psychologist from Quito, Ecuador. He was raised there and after finishing college he specialized in Intercultural Theology, Ecumenism and Epistemology in The Netherlands, Germany, and Portugal respectively. He is interested in the rich diversity of reflections and practices of the Christian faith around the world and in the needed process to make them understandable to each other.

    He has been involved in youth Ecumenical initiatives during the last years. His vision for MOZAIK is to transform it into a publication of reference among young Christian students in Europe. A journal which is characterized by its special reverence for facts, plurality, audacity, and engagement with gender, sexual, racial and ethnic inclusivity. He is a movie fan, news consumer, books lover and is beginning in the art of Bonsai.

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    February 6th, 2019 12:17 am | Continue Reading

  4. Mozaik: Call for Articles

    Submit by: 28th February

    General Topic: Diversity and Inclusion from a Youth European Perspective

    Diversity is one of the salient characteristics of Europe. Spanish Paella and German Bratwurst, Finnish, Italian, Greek and Czech languages; wherever one looks, diversity is there! Nevertheless, it seems like there are ‘diversities we enjoy’ and other ones that nowadays challenge European identity. What about a religiously diverse Europe? Or a multi-ethnic one? Or how to answer the forces that aim to segregate peoples, nations, religions and ethnic-groups? Is the ‘call of the tribe’, as Vargas Llosa calls it, so strong that it threatens European coexistence?

    During the past year, participants at our conferences in Thessaloniki, Strasbourg and Palermo reflected on these and similar questions. In our 2019 MOZAIK issue we want to delve into these topics. Therefore, we welcome perspectives from European students and people with experience in inclusive social initiatives. We are interested in discovering and reflecting on these experiences and how ethnic or religious diversity can enhance European societies through text, visual art, poetry and other mediums.

    Who do I contact?

    We are accepting contributions of articles up to 2,000 words, with a preliminary deadline of 28th February 2019. For more information, contact Mozaik’s Editor-in-Chief Daniel Jara, at .

    We look forward to receiving your contributions!

    The topic of Mozaik’s next issue is linked to our Work Plan 2018, which was supported through funding received from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

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    January 16th, 2019 12:34 am | Continue Reading

  5. Campaign Photo Competition – ‘One for all. All for one’

    The winners are here! Between October-December 2018, WSCF Europe welcomed  photo submissions from young people around Europe, on the topics of diversity and inclusion. After a long and careful deliberation, the jury has finally reached a decision on what photos and photographers should take away our prizes and warmest congratulations. Here are the winners!

    __________

    1st Prize 

    ‘Unity in Prayer’ – David Barbakadze (Georgia)

    “The photo I took in one of the oldest district of Tbilisi which is famous for its unique multicultural nature. This small historic neighbourhood is often called as ‘center of religions’ as you can find mosque, synagogue, catholic, orthodox and Gregorian churches next to each other. The directions’ sign on the photo indicate all important places in this district among which you can observe mosque, synagogue, Georgian orthodox church and Armenian church. Each of these buildings have its own wonderful old history, but I think it’s not by chance that all of them are standing in the same neighbourhood. For me the district represents an ‘Unity of Prayer’. This is how I also named the photo and why I link it to the theme of the WSCF-Europe photo competition. I think the story of this small district in Tbilisi very much tells us about the importance of coexistence and dialogue among different religions, cultures, ethnic groups. And that, how different we should not be in our believes, we still can live together as those three birds sitting peacefully on the direction’s signs.”

    __________

    2nd Prize

    ‘Colours of the Life’ – Ana Meladze (Georgia)

    “I took the photo during the summer 2016 in Batumi, my favourite city in Georgia. I think that Batumi is really a special city – the “Pearl of the Black Sea,” as it is often called. It is situated in mountainous southwest Georgia on the Black Sea coastline, neighbouring to Turkey. For centuries, it suffered many conflicts between the rival powers, while also nurturing complex religious, ethnic, and linguistic identities. Today, though, the city is very proud of its rich diversity and the cosmopolitan atmosphere. Walking in the streets of Batumi you can meet people of different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. That is why taking the photo of the street blocks coloured by children had a signifiant impact on me back in 2016 and it still has today. That is why I think the photo is related to the completion topics. To me that photo always represented the hope and love for life. Life that every person built throughout the years, like the streets are built by the blocks. Even if sometimes the blocks are grey, they may turn into a wonderful colour if we do colour them. I believe our lives are richer and meaningful with many colours. I believe that the society is stronger with its diverse population and I wish every person how different they should not be from each other should live the life with dignity and respect. Inspired by the city and context I took the photo in and aiming to capture the spirit of togetherness in diversity I named the photo as “Colours of the Life”.

    __________

    3rd Prize

    ‘Imagine a Future Together’ – Nikola Putica (Macedonia)

    “This photograph was taken in Skopje in the middle of September. The photograph title is: ‘Imagine a future together’. On the photograph the children are representing the future as and one of them is ‘levitating’; which shows an absolute progress. Behind them in third ground, you can notice a city light by EU.”

    ‘Lock Me with Love’ – Diana Yeghiazaryan (Armenia)


    “On the bridge Pont des Arts in Paris, people add locks of different shapes and sizes, thus creating a colorful metal curtain along the bridge. The story and thoughts behind this photo are related with the society, where we live. Like the bridge, we add lockers on it, build relationships, usually several ones, sometimes bonding two lockers at the same time. We cannot unlock ourselves from this net, if the lockers and bonds are many. Likewise, the society….when we include people and tie with many bonds, it will be simply impossible to marginalize, radicalize or polarize..”

    __________

    Thank you to all the participants for their involvement! 

    This competition was part of the campaign ‘One for All. All for One’, ran by WSCF-Europe in 2018, with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

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    December 16th, 2018 8:25 pm | Continue Reading

  6. Call for Team Lingua Franca

    We need you! We are looking for Event Team Members and Coordinator!

    First organised 20 years ago, WSCF-Europe Lingua Franca meetings provide a space for language learning, cultural exchange, ecumenical encounter and ecumenical leadership training. The target group of this programme is students from Eastern and Central Europe. About 15-20 students and young adults will meet for a week in April/May 2019 , in Georgia.

    The training provided will focus on two key-areas:

    • Language Training– English will be the main language, but a simple English will be used and there will be sessions focused on breaking down linguistic barriers.
    • Leadership Training– in order to educate people on how to build movements in Central and Eastern Europe.

    To provide a brilliant training and have an amazing time together, we are currently looking for 2 team members and a team coordinator, that will work together from January until May 2019 on how to make this happen. So if you are an open-minded person, willing to learn from and with others, have experience in conference/event organization and are involved with WSCF or local movements, we are looking forward to getting to know you!

    For the Team Coordinator, we look for someone with: a good understanding of what event organisation and management means; a passion for working with people; and who is resourceful and committed to take full ownership of event experience with others. The Team Coordinator should have experience: coordinating a project team; designing/delivering a training /learning programme; and the ability to prioritise. It is key to have experience working with young people and, ideally, experience with Lingua Franca or any “youth access” program. You will be given support to coordinate and learn on the job, and you will be advised on organisational practices and tools to use to organize events efficiently and effectively.

    Deadline for applications:  16 December 2018

    Please fill-in this application form before 16 December 2018, to give us an idea on who you are, what you could contribute and what you would like to learn from this unique event!

    Hope to meet you soon,

    Your European Regional Committee

    For more information, contact Zuzana Babicova () or Christiane Gebauer ().  

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    December 7th, 2018 12:38 am | Continue Reading

  7. Photo Competition: ‘All for one. One for all’ Campaign

     

    The Competition:

    The Photo Competition is part of the WSCF-Europe’s campaign “One for all. All for one”, which aims to contribute to a more inclusive and fairer European society by empowering young people across the continent. Our approach is based on promoting equal opportunity, human rights and respect for human dignity, as core principles of every inclusive and diverse society.

    Through this initiative, we are looking for photos that can share stories of diversity and integration. The photos can be of individuals, communities, situations or anything that, in your perspective, best captures the spirit of the theme of the competition. We encourage you to share with the world photos that can tell a thousand words.

    Every participant can submit up to 5 photos, and we are particularly looking for creative ideas, for images that capture and tell a story. Every photograph should be accompanied by a title reflecting the theme and the essence of the photo. It should be also accompanied by a short description detailing the story or idea behind the photo.

    The Campaign:

    The aim of the “One for all. All for one” campaign is to engage young people and provide them with the tools they need to create effective content, aimed at challenging hate speech and violent extremism. To achieve this overall aim, we set the following specific objectives:

    • to upscale and mobilise grassroots youth initiatives on alternative positive narratives;
    • to develop innovative youth-led approaches and methodologies;
    • to combine knowledge exchanges with action-oriented output;
    • to support and develop young people’s voices to tackle these issues, and form a strong network of youth activists who believe in religious, ethical and human resolution of crisis.

    Eligibility:

    The focus of the competition is Europe, but photos from all over the world are welcomed and accepted. The competition is open to all students and young activists, with a special interest and passion for photography. Both amateur and professional photographers with their own perspectives and stories on diversity and integration are encouraged to submit their work.

    We particularly encourage members of our SCMs in Europe to take part in this competition, as it will be an opportunity to actively engage with our campaign and strengthen our connections.

    How to participate:

    Please send your photo(s) to , before midnight 30th November 2018 (extended). The photo(s) should be high quality image(s) in JPEG, TIFF or PNG format (preferably at least 3 megapixels). You should expect that, if your photo is selected among the best photos, it will be published as a poster or in a large format – therefore, the quality of the photos is important. Each participant can submit up to 5 photos.

    Please send your photos with the following name format: “YourLastName_PhotoTitle” and with a short description. The short description should include the following information:

    • Your short bio (name, age, nationality, profession and/or study, contact information, etc);
    • City and country where the photo was taken and the date when it was taken;
    • The title of the photo;
    • Description on the photo (who or what is in the photograph; what it represents; any information or story you relate the photo to; its link to the theme of the competition);
    • Any comment from the photographer.

    Conditions for participating:

    All photos submitted must be the participants’ own works and must not be edited, but submitted in original form. The person submitting the photo also takes responsibility for not infringing the privacy of any third party – by submitting the photograph, the participant confirms that they have the permission of all persons appearing in the photo to submit the photograph and for it to be published by WSCF-Europe.

    Prizes:

    The competition jury is composed of amateur and professional photographers, human rights activists and experts in communication. The jury will select the best photos and will award three prizes. The winners will be awarded different amounts, and a breakdown of the awards can be found below:

    • First Prize – €150
    • Second prize – €100
    • Third prize – €75

    All photos that enter the competition will also be published on the WSCF Europe website and social media on the International Human Rights Day, on 10th December, as WSCF-Europe will take part in this worldwide celebration. They will also be featured in online and print publications of the WSCF-Europe. By submitting the photo(s), the photographer agrees that the photo(s) will be used by the WSCF-Europe.

    After the selection and communication with the winners, the final results will be available online on the WSCF-Europe website and social media.

    We look forward to receiving lots of amazing photos from young people all over the world! ☺

    This project is implemented with financial support from the campaign partner, the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

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    September 9th, 2018 1:17 am | Continue Reading

  8. Call for Participants: “Humanity Reclaimed: Youth Perspectives on Diversity on Inclusion” Conference

    “Humanity Reclaimed: Youth Perspectives on Diversity on Inclusion” conference in Thessaloniki, Greece
    29.11-05.12 2018

    We often hear people claiming that their faith in humanity is lost for a number of reasons. Sometimes this is attributed to external factors (usually technology and political choices), whilst other times it is connected to collective responses around major humanitarian issues, such as immigration waves from war-zones. Among those who claim that humanity is lost, there is often a sense that societies are backtracking from progress and regressing to older patterns of thinking. Our conference will be an attempt to enhance the dialogue on this issue by answering a number of questions: Why do some people think that humanity is lost? And if so, what do they recommend in order to reclaim it? Is the human condition at the moment all gloom and doom, or are there glimpses of hope that we tend to overlook by focusing on the negatives? And how do diversity and inclusion fit into all of this?

    If you would like to be part of this dialogue, join us between 29.11 – 05.12.2018 in Thessaloniki, Greece for the “Humanity Reclaimed: Youth perspectives on diversity and inclusion” Conference.

    Young people from all over Europe will be gathering to sing, eat, pray, learn and talk deeply about diversity, inclusion, and practices stemming from these ideals.

    During the programme, you will have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops, lectures and small group discussions. These are aimed at creating mutual respect and enhancing understanding of topics such as the subject of how diversity and inclusion lead to a better future for all of us, whilst at the same time recognizing the challenges they pose to societies.


    We particularly encourage you to apply if:

    • you are a part of a WSCF-Europe Student Christian Movement, or
    • you have first-hand experience of working for diversity and inclusion within your organisation/movement/university, or
    • you work/volunteer supporting programs that foster diversity and inclusion in any kind of social setting (for example, but not limited to, educational institutes or workplaces).

    To participate, you can apply here. The deadline is 14th October. The language of the conference is English.

    During a five-day programme of workshops, lectures, and small group discussions we will build a platform upon which to discuss these topics.

    When? 29 November – 5 December 2018

    Where? Thessaloniki, Greece

    Why? Because all too often we hear that humanity is lost, but hopefully our conference will provide a different perspective to counter this viewpoint!

    How to apply? Through this form by  14th October 2018 (extended).

    Participation fee: 170€  (If you have any difficulty funding your attendance, please contact us at: conference2018@wscf-europe.org)

     

    The preparatory team is looking forward to seeing you in Greece, in December.

    Natia Tsintsadze, WSCF-E Executive  

    Pavlina Manavska, WSCF-E Campaign Coordinator

    Knut Natskår Svihus, Norway

    Viltė Keturkaitė, Lithuania

    Paschalis Gortsilas, Greece

    Kristine Evje, Norway

    For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12)

     

     

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    September 1st, 2018 3:34 pm | Continue Reading

  9. WSCF-Europe is looking for a Treasurer!

    Job description:

    WSCF-Europe Regional Committee  (ERC) is looking to fill the role of the Treasurer in between two assemblies. The role shall start late summer 2018 and end at the assembly in late 2019 with the possibility to be considered for another term by the gathered Europe regional assembly of WSCF-Europe. This is an exciting volunteering role, in which you can grow and learn about financial management, as well as management of the NGO and matters of strategic organisational importance. Part of the role is also being a member of the ERC which decides and deliver the programmatic work in which the Treasurer can also participate and be involved in actively.

    Key responsibilities:

    Main Goal: Manage finances of WSCF Europe in a sustainable manner. To manage the work of WSCF Europe as the key decision-making body of the Federation in Europe between ERAs.

    • Prepare and manage the annual budget of WSCF Europe;
    • Ensure WSCF Europe accounts are professionally audited;
    • Ensure office bookkeeping and cash management are completed to a high standard;
    • Meet with partners and donors;
    • Help to write budgets for funding applications and financial reports to donors;
    • Be on the Board of the ERC
    • Actively participate in ERC email communications and Skype meetings in order to make decisions and shape the work of the Federation in Europe;
    • Monitor and evaluate the work of regional staff, give regular feedback and ask for improvement where necessary;
    • Attend four ERC in-person meetings in two years and be an active team member;
    • Represent WSCF Europe at partner events.

    You can read here about the experience of people who were part of the ERC over last decades.

    To be eligible:

    How to apply: Apply by filling-in this online form.

    Deadline: No deadline, ongoing open role until the next WSCF -Europe Regional Assembly.

    For an informal conversation about the role, contact WSCF-Europe Chair, Zuzana Babicova, at . We are looking forward to receiving your application and any informal email enquiries about the role.

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    July 21st, 2018 1:21 am | Continue Reading

  10. Call for project proposals: “All for one. One for all” Campaign

    Following the WSCF-Europe Conference in Palermo, which took place last May and focused on media literacy, WSCF-Europe would like to invite all our affiliated and associated Student Christian Movements (SCMs) to submit wonderful project ideas that capture the theme “All for one. One for all”. The focus of the WSCF-Europe campaign this year is combating negative narratives surrounding diversity and inclusion, and the project proposals should align with WSCF-Europe’s efforts in this area.

    The Campaign:

    The ultimate aim of the campaign is to engage young people and provide them with the tools they need to create effective content, aimed at challenging hate speech and violent extremism. To achieve this overall aim, we set the following specific objectives:

    • to upscale and mobilise grassroots youth initiatives on alternative positive narratives;
    • to develop innovative youth-led approaches and methodologies;
    • to combine knowledge exchanges with action-oriented output;
    • to support and develop young people’s voices to tackle these issues, and form a strong network of youth activists who believe in religious, ethical and human resolution of crisis.

    SCMs and their members have always been at the heart of WSCF-Europe’s work, so in order to achieve all the objectives listed above, we look forward to your engagement and enthusiasm.

    Your ideas and who can apply:

    We want to hear from both SCMs who have participated in out training in Palermo, this May, but also from other SCMs, who did not have a chance to attend the training. For the SCMs who attended the training in Palermo, we strongly encourage you to submit your proposals on the ideas that you have come up with during the training, although these ideas can be changed/adjusted.

    Please note that we can offer support ONLY to SCMs affiliated and associated to the WSCF-Europe region. If you do not meet this criteria, we will not be able to fund your activity.

    What we offer:

    We offer financial support of up to € 2 000 to cover costs associated with your activity. This can include securing a venue, covering any materials used, paying any fees associated with bringing in an external speaker etc.

    We can also offer support in the form of human resources. Members of our WSCF-E team are experienced in the areas of project planning and delivery, events coordination, financial management, communications and others, and are more than happy to support you throughout the stages of planning, delivering and evaluating your activity.

    We also have a wide network of field experts in areas such as: theology, youth work, media literacy etc. We can create links between members of this network and your SCM, securing external speakers that will ensure the success of your event.

    How to apply:

    To apply, please fill in this application form by 15th August 2018 (extended).

    On the form, you will need to describe what the activity that you are planning to organise encompasses, the costs associated with it, and the kind of support that you are seeking from WSCF-Europe.

    Please note that all project ideas need to be implemented by November 2018.

    Contact:

    The WSCF-Europe Campaign Team is really keen to hear your ideas. The team is formed by:

    Pavlina Manavska (Campaigns Coordinator)

    Natia Tsintsadze (Regional Secretary)

    Zuzana Babicova (Chairperson)

    Lina Leonavičiūtė (Global Executive Committee Representative)

    Maria Atănăsoaei (Communications Officer)

    For any questions regarding the campaign and/or the project ideas applications, contact Pavlina Manavska, at .

    The financial support that WSCF Europe offers to SCMs is possible through the funding received from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. 

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    July 8th, 2018 1:18 am | Continue Reading