In early June, a high-level delegation from Germany visited Athens and Thessaloniki. The German experts of international youth work were seeking information about the political and social situation in Greece and talked to Greek project partners of international youth work. In one of the meetings the delegation met Kelly Manoudi from our ewoca³(+) project partner Hellenic Youth Participation. We talked to Kelly about the visit and the situation of international youth work in Greece.
Kelly, you have been meeting the German delegation in Athens — how was that for you?
There weren’t many people, about 24 in total. At the beginning the Parliamentarian State Secretary Caren Marks told us about the whole process of the German-Greek Youth Forum and the plans to intensify the German-Greek youth exchanges and voluntary service. We also met volunteers from Germany that work here in Greece. And of course we also told the delegation what we are doing over here, our future plans and our ideas for Greek and German partnership. Many representatives of the Greek youth organisations also focused on financing problems of the european youth projects at the moment. So we also talked about other funding opportunities for projects in Greece.
What do you think about the idea of the German-Greek Youth Forum, witch is supposed to be the first step to build a German-Greek Youth Office?
I am convinced it is exactly the right time to do that. The relationship between our governments tensed up. When young people from both countries come closer, this can also lead to a better future for the relationship of our countries. Despite political differences and historical problems we have with Germany, I want to underline that there are also positive experiences that we can build our efforts on: People go to Germany to work and study, and we need strengthen the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices.
At our organisation, we are part of an ewoca ³(+)-partnership with Germany and Belarus, and this summer we will have our first workcamp together in Weimar/Germany. But we are also planning to do bilateral exchanges with Greek and German people. We want to invite German youths to work together on stereotypes, tolerance and inclusion. And the idea is that afterwards a group from Greece will go to Germany and do the same over there. If we will get the funds, we will definitively do that. It would be great if the German-Greek Youth Office would more projects like this possible.
Besides your ewoca ³(+) partnership and your plans for German-Greek youth exchanges, can you tell us a little bit more about your organisation Hellenic Youth Participation? What are your goals?
We are a quite new organisation, established two years ago, but we have many members that are engaged to our vision. We are focused on empowerment and education. We are taking part in European conferences like the European Youth Event and the World Forum for Democracy. We try to give people the opportunity to widen their horizons and come closer with other young people from Europe, to be equal with them and share their needs and thoughts, and exchange cultures. We also offer classes of foreign languages. It is a very important aspect to grow in Europe and to communicate with other people and different cultures.
What kind of influence has the social and economic crisis in Greece on your work and on the international youth work in Greece? Which problems arise due to the crisis?
It is difficult to realise all the projects we want to start, because of the fundings, which have been cut. But on the other hand because of the crisis the younger people are more motivated to go abroad. They want to gain more experience and become more qualified abroad for their future employment. We can say that most young people in Greece are unemployed. Those young people need solutions to their problems in Greece, so that they can gain their experiences here.
Concerning the situation in Greece right now, how do you think international youth work can play a positive role?
Youth work helps people by empowering them and gives them opportunities to develop their skills. This is of course even more important in difficult situations, because working in these projects also gives a bit of hope to them.
What do you think Germany could do to help the institutions and initiatives that are working in the field of international youth work in Greece?
It’s a great idea to establish a Greek-German Youth Office in order to support the exchange and collaboration of young people from our two countries. Our main problem is that we need fundings for our work.
Five months ago a new Government was elected in Greece. Are there any changes for your work because of that?
It is too early to say that. The new government is only there since January. Right now everybody is focused at the financial negotiations with the Euro Group. For the moment I don’t see any changes for our work, but for sure I can say more people get interested in international youth work and European projects every day. And now as the summer is here, also the young people that go to university or school have more time to participate.