The central idea of this workshop is to give a method to the youth workers through the basic skills of popular music to be used in different areas of civic participation. This method can be implemented as a tool for social inclusion, promoting European values developing young people´s creativity, encouraging reflections about diversity and about common origins. Using music as a tool in youth work further has the potential to cater to people´s needs for expressions (cultural, abilities, emotional and intellectual). Making music together will encourage a positive attitude in the participants and thus create the grounds for constructive conversations. Rhythm connects all participants.

The language of percussion with sign is a system of signs and gestures performed with the hands and body which allow a conductor to coordinate the rhythmic improvisation of a group. During the sessions can be used the palms of the hands or any type of instruments. The participants should look at the conductor at all times even during their performance or while talking to each other to decide rhythms or changes.
Experience the power of music – the rhythm of life!

Self-harm is a behavior that has long been exhibited by adolescents, who have suffered some type of trauma, nowadays we can see that this behavior is increasing rapidly among youths . But what is really behind this and what are tools social workers can use to help at-risk youth?
We will discuss some of the psychological and social reasons, for example social media, that accompany this type of behavior, taking into account the different personal experiences.
This topic will be approached not only from a theoretical point of view, but also from our extensive professional experience working with adolescents, who exhibit this type of conduct. We will provide different tools, that based on our experience, help youths to through a very difficult period of life.
As a social worker is our responsability to take this type of behavior very seriously, to show empathy and at the same time not to stigmatize adolescents, but rather to support them in finding another way to express their distress.

The gender-based violence workshop aims to raise awareness and foster understanding about the prevalence, impact, and complexities of violence based on gender identity and expression. The workshop provides participants with a comprehensive overview of various forms of gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and harmful cultural practices. Through interactive discussions, presentations, and case studies, participants gain insights into the root causes of gender-based violence, such as patriarchal norms, societal attitudes, and power imbalances.

How can we access the wisdom of our bodies? First of all it needs presence and slowing down to listen to what the body communicates. Through this body awareness we can develop a sensing capacity – an opens a door to body wisdom or intuitive knowledge.
We will work with a methodology called Social Presencing Theatre (SPT) designed to cultivate this body awareness and hence the art of presence. It “is not “”theater”” in the conventional sense, but uses simple body postures and movements, alone and in groups, to dissolve limiting concepts, communicate directly and to access intuition. More information about the methodology you can find here: www.arawanahayashi.com

The aim of the workshop is to emphasize the empowerment of disadvantaged youngsters through the experiences of two projects run by Outward Bound Romania: Youth+ and Diversity and Inclusion. There will be two case studies, presented to the participants, in order to draw attention to the positive effects of empowering disadvantaged individuals and communities to gain self-confidence and organizational competencies to improve their own lives.