XL, l'house organ di OPES anno 1, n°7, numero doppio agosto | settembre 2019 | Page 47

its close collaboration with OPES, with whom it shares
objectives and planning, has now lasted for over four
years. The YEU structure is designed by young people for
young people, and involves an active audience of up to
thirty years, mainly voluntarily. The objectives are directed
towards the realization of activities for young people, to
promote closer cooperation and better understanding
by encouraging the exchange of information, ideas,
and opinions. In short, all activities that fit perfectly with
our daily work and with our project “Europe behind the
corner”.
Non-formal education: a winning tool.
During our Belgian experience, we are deepening the
use of non-formal education methodologies, particularly
appreciated and widely used in the EU. This methodology
can be explained with the “learning by doing” which
means learning directly on the field. The learning process
consists of the interaction between the learners and
the concrete situations they experience. No teachers
are giving “ex-cathedra” lessons: young people, youth
workers, educators (trainers) develop knowledge and skills
together, in a “horizontal” relationship. The principles of
non-formal learning are:
• use of participatory methods focused on the learner;
• planning based on the interests of young people;
• the assessment of failure or success is never individual
but collegial (right to make mistakes);
• made in environments and situations where training
and learning are not the only activity;
• the learning context should put the participants at
ease;
• activities are guided by learning facilitators, both
professionals, and volunteers;
• activities are planned based on objectives and target
specific groups.
This educational tool aims to increase tolerance and
awareness among young people from different
countries, cultures, and traditions, using a global
education dimension and intercultural learning activities.
Although not yet fully recognized, organizations and
associations such as OPES undertake to promote non-
formal education as a virtuous educational method: it
should be noted that education today is no longer just the
traditional one given in school and university classrooms,
but also the one acquired through social actions promoted
by youth organizations or, more generally, by volunteering
associations. Although, over the years, the importance of
non-formal education has been recognized as increasingly
important, there is still a certain delay in the usability of
the skills acquired in the world of volunteering within the
professional context. As it’s happening in other countries
XXL / Agosto - Settembre 2019
that are starting to recognize these skills, even Italy,
although slowly, is adapting.
Our Belgian adventure continues... As Civil Service
volunteers, halfway through our experience, we can be
satisfied: our human and knowledge baggage has greatly
expanded compared to the arrival, as our language skills,
and if for someone it will be the beginning of a new life
here, in this small country so different, composite and
cosmopolitan who can say it? We highly recommend this
experience for both human and experiential baggage
it brings. Brussels is an extraordinary city and thanks to
the participation in the OPES project “Europe around
the corner” we are actually discovering what it means to
be part of the Europe. Its positive sides, its distortions,
the generous ability of many organizations that make
themselves available with professionalism and humanity
to the promotion of values ​​that we desperately need
today: Europe is not only a geographical expression nor
an empty political union, but a heart teeming with projects
and aspirations. You realize in person that in Brussels
take place centralized proce s ses that can change the
reality of many local communities thanks to their impact.
What matters is to try never to feel strangers to these
communities and, as far as possible, try to “think global
but act local”. Experience i n its complexity has all the
elements to intrigue, activa t e and then release the best
energies enclosed in ourselves!
Civil Service Volunteers
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