For the fourth consecutive year the National Network for Children organized an Autumn camp for child and youth participation. The event was held from 7 to 13 September in the region of Stara Zagora.
The initiative is part of the training cycle of the network “Megaphone” and was conducted within the project “Children and youth participation for better citizenship”, implemented with the financial support of the Programe for support of NGOs in Bulgaria under the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and with the kind donation of the recycling company Bulecopack AD.
The training camp was organized by the youth network “Megaphone” and the National Network for Children. The initiative will continue with a Spring camp and will end with the Annual Meeting of the National Network for Children.
Autumn camp brought together sixteen young people from eight organizations all over the country: NGO “Center Dynamics”, association “World without Borders”, “Social Dialogue 2001”, “Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Bulgaria”, association “Youth tolerance”, foundation “Concordia Bulgaria”, foundation “Pulse” and the School trustee from the town of Boliarovo.
During the camp, youths and adults had the opportunity to go through a program, created by specialists from the National Network for Children. Main lectures and seminars were on the topics of children’s rights. Participants become acquainted with the concept of “The children’s and youth’s participation”, why it is important and how to recognize situations where it is necessary to be implemented. Young participant learned about the mission, vision and activities of the National Network for Children and the network “Megaphone”. The training program also included some topics as “How to advocate for our cause” and “How to speak in public.” In addition to the exchange of information and training sessions young people took part in art and creative tasks.
The whole week working environment predisposed young people to exchange ideas and good practices from various organizations. The training and team games created the spirit of a “team” and united all participants.
“The skills, acquired during the training, helped us to become better in expressing ourselves. We participated with great motivation and finally felt more confident. The qualification and moving involvement of the camp facilitators contributed a lot for the success of the initiative. They created an atmosphere of trust and equality and all of us wanted to continue our work even after the end of the event”, said Janet Licheva, a member of the Club “Domino” at “Dynamics” Centre, Rousse.
The results of the Autumn Camp 2015 are: sixteen new enthusiastic members of the youth network “Megaphone”. Sixteen young people motivated to participate in various initiatives of the National Network for Children. Sixteen people whose voices will be heard.
