"VAN" (Europe Bureau - Aleksey Vesyoliy) :: Young people are among the most vulnerable in society, particularly during a serious economic downturn 1 out of 5 children live in families that are at risk of poverty, and more than one third of young adults (18 and 24) in the European Union are currently unemployed and not in education, employment or training. Social exclusion doesn’t just affect people who are materially deprived. Approximately 1 out of every 3 people in the Europe face social exclusion. Where you live plays a role too. People in rural areas are almost four times more likely to suffer from social exclusion than those in towns or cities. Poverty is one of the main reasons that people can feel excluded. Not having access to health and social services or job opportunities, can also contribute to social exclusion. You may feel you don’t belong no matter how well educated or financially well-off you are.
Social inclusion is about feeling you are part of a community, bonded together by a common identity and shared values. An inclusive society is based on mutual respect and solidarity, with equal opportunities and decent living standards for all - where diversity is seen as a source of strength and not as a divider.
Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.
In order to explore social inclusion three youth field delegates (Vita Baloda, Lauma Dišlere and Linda Rusmane) from Latvia took part in the International Seminar "Youth Social Exclusion: preventing and remedying this vicous circle" which took place from 1-5 August, 2019 in Cagliari (Italy).
International Seminar gathered together 22 participants from 7 different countries: Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Latvia, Romania and Hungary.
During the seminar participatns discussed youths social problems and challenges what young people face being excluded from society due to various factors, for example, financial limitations, ethnicity, lifstyle choises, physical and mental health and a lot of other factors. One of the tasks in seminar was to define meaning of – inclusion, exclusion and limited opportunities.
In every country, certain groups—whether migrants, people with disabilities or other minorities—confront barriers that prevent them from fully participating in their nation’s political, economic, and social life. These groups are excluded through a number of practices ranging from stereotypes, stigmas, and superstitions based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, or disability status. Such practices can rob them of dignity, security, and the opportunity to lead a better life.
Seminar "Youth Social Exclusion: preventing and remedying this vicous circle" had following objectives:
1) to explore the main aspects of social exclusion on three different categories of young people with fewer opportunities identified (experiencing poor living conditions, being unable to participate in the social and political life of one’s community, being unable to enjoy cultural and recreational activities,suffering from health conditions, etc.);
2) to identify obstacles and issues which are causing exclusion and to find solutions to increase inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities and enhance quality of activities with youth;
3) to share best practices among the different partners and youth workers and develop innovative ideas and activities for the improvement of quality of projects and activities on social inclusion;
4) to promote cooperation in the youth field and to create better opportunities for inclusion of young people;
5) to build up partnerships for projects that help youth workers to acquire and improve competences to implement activities addressed to support people with fewer opportunities (disabled, unemployed, migrants).
From a youth perspective social inclusion is the process of individual's self-realisation within a society, acceptance and recognition of one's potential by social institutions, integration (through study, employment, volunteer work or other forms of participation) in the web of social relations in a community. In European societies the concept is relevant to all young people as youth is the life stage when young people make the transition from family dependence to autonomy within the larger society under rapidly evolving circumstances. It has a particular meaning to those young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and live in precarious conditions. For them social inclusion involves breaking various barriers before acquiring their social rights as full members of society.
Creating an inclusive community was a primary goal in the process of European integration from its start and the latest economic crisis placed new weight on this objective. Social inclusion became a key priority in the Europe 2020 Strategy of the European Union, setting a common target to lift 20 million people out of risk of poverty by 2020. This ambitious goal is backed by the flagship initiative ‘European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion' and the Social Open Method of Coordination. The EU financially supports such actions through its Social Investment Package, the new umbrella Programme for Employment and Social Innovation and the EU funds, in particular the European Social Fund.
One of the most exciting activities during every Erasmus+ mobility is intercultural evening. During this event participants presented their cultures through traditional food and drinks, as well dances. For example, participants from Romania thought traditional dance.
Each country had to introduce other participants with organizations which they represented. Presentations gave an opportunity to learn more about goals and objectives of organizations represented in the Seminar. It was a chance to establish new contacts and to find future cooperation partners.
Participants during the seminar represented their experiences in the field of inclusion within three different categories:
- Young migrants and refugees;
- Youth people with disabilities especially in the work environment;
- Young people unemployed and N.E.E.T.
Exchange of good practices through peer to peer method will make participants back in their countries agents of positive changes.
Latvian participants are sharing their impressions and reflections taking part in the Seminar in Cagliari.
Vita: "First impression what comes to mind abot this seminar is positive wibe from other participants. In my opinion, latvians, as a society has a lot to learn from it, because in every situation there is another side of story. These intercultural events is an ideal oppurtunity to generate fantastic ideas how we all could help that part of society who is less fortunate, to improve their quality of life. This seminar gave me a chance to make new friends, generate ideas, share my oppinion and mainly obtain skills that could improve peoples lifes."
Lauma: "Beeing a part of Erasmus+ project widened my horizons, it provided me great chance to get to know new people and gave me an oppurtunity to learn more about other cultures. As well it was a possibility to compare Latvian youth with others and learn more about problems they have to face, and what we as latvians should appreciate and what to work improve. Other participants had a lot of experiance to share and it made me to think – nothing is immposible. Participation in the seminar gave me valuable life experiances and insight on what obsticles youth is facing every day."
Linda: "In this project, I gained great experience meeting new people, sharing experience with other participants from other countries. I gained new knowledge of different things, examples of how things are done in other countries. Being involved in group work, it helped to communicate more with others, to think of new projects, opportunities to help and benefit in the future working with young people who face different disabilities. During the presentation of Latvia, participants from other countries showed great interest about Latvia, and intercultural evening was a great opportunity to get to know more participants from each country from different angles.
I can clearly say that these projects help to widen your horizons, boost social inclusion, help to get to know other cultures, to gain new acquaintances, even new international partners for future projects.
I strongly advise everyone to take part in ERASMUS +, as these projects help you to grow and give you new value."
There is a moral imperative to address social exclusion. Left unaddressed, exclusion of disadvantaged groups can also be costly. And the costs—whether social, political, or economic—are likely to be substantial. Social inclusion is an integral part ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity.
International Seminar "Youth Social Exclusion: preventing and remedying this vicous circle" was implemented within the European Union program Erasmus+ KA1 in cooperation with Associazione ABìCì based in Italy. International Seminar partner from Latvia was Non - Governmental Organization "Donum Animus". Erasmus+ KA1 program provides opportunities for individuals to improve their skills, enhance their employability and gain cultural awareness. Beneficiaries are able to spend a period of time in another participating country gaining valuable experience of life, study and work with the aim of increasing the opportunities available to them in the future. KA1 is the largest action in Erasmus+ with focus on increasing mobility and skills.
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