Movement, Community, and Nature: A Journey of Empowerment for Youth
01-08.08.2023, Smolnik, Pohorje, Slovenia
In the heart of the wild forest of Pohorje mountain an ERASMUS + training course unfolded. 29 international participants gathered to embark on a transformative journey towards self-discovery, well-being, and empowerment.
The participants discovered the interconnectedness of movement, community theatre and nature – a synergy that can ignite personal growth and inspire a brighter future. The program aimed to equip youth workers with tools to enhance their own mental health and well-being while also strengthening their capacity to support the holistic development and empowerment of young people.
To create a multifaceted learning experience the training's innovative approach combined experiential exercises, body movement and somatic techniques, experiential pedagogy in nature, symbolic theatre and theatre of the oppressed (mainly rainbow of desires tool). A big part of the training course was also Open space workshops led by participants, through which youth workers networked and shared much knowledge and tools.
Few results of the training course were a movie, a local action and learning materials!
Testimonials
And what did we experience and learn?
»I learned how to be myself, how to take care of my inner child, that I can embrace my playfulness and my vulnerable side, that it's more than ok to cry if you feel like it, that I don't have to please anyone...
I learned to love myself first and to say no. I learned to stay grounded and to embrace nature more.
I learned to feel what I need, I learned to rest and to feel enough, I learned to express myself in different ways.«
»I still feel the wind's blow, the grass dew on my feet«
(The serene environment of Pohorje mountain became a canvas for introspection, mindfulness, and self-discovery.)
»I remembered and emphasize that we live once, and I have to give more time for myself, to listen more my feelings and my body, all my problems are very common with the problems from other people«
»I learned to rest more and to be enough. Well - being instead of well - doing. This is what i will talk about with the youngsters who i work with. I also will apply more active listening and only help when youngsters ask for it. Giving them more open space to listen to them instead of finding solutions. Empower them more.«
»I have learnt how to trust connect with other participants. I have also learned to be more empathetic and self-conscious.«
»I left this training with a lot of tools for my profesional activity, with new friends and potentially partners but also warmth and silence in my soul. Surely, after this course, i became a better person: as a youth worker, teacher, a teacher trainer, student mentor, european project coordinator, but also in a more private manner - as a woman, mother, and wife!«
