Do you want to contribute to the development of future cities and communities? Are you frustrated by mechanisms of silencing and structural discrimination in our society? Often in the media, we hear about young people through the lens of threats and problems – in this project, young people are the source of knowledge, understanding, and innovation!
Update: The application form has now been closed. Thank you for all the applicants!
Now you have the opportunity to work in the Helsinki metropolitan area with a group of young people (8–15 youths) of your choice, and together with a group of young people develop the selected neighborhood. You will choose the youth group you wish to work with and which area you will work. Your goal is to support young people in identifying and highlighting their perspectives on the strengths and places for improvement in their residential area. Where do young people identify peace in their neighborhood? What in their own area makes them feel belonging? Why is it comfortable for them to be in those places, and how could that feeling be increased? What do young people want to tell others and, for example, to city decision-makers about their own neighborhood?
We offer the opportunity for six early-career professionals or students to develop their group facilitation skills, dialogue methods, practical peace work, and participatory urban planning. We value diverse language skills, especially the ability to interact in languages spoken by young people in Helsinki.
In this summer job opportunity, you can utilize your own networks and skills under guidance and as part of a larger international network of young actors. In practice, this is about a 60-hour work package for which we pay a salary of €1000 in total. Additionally, we provide quality training for the tasks and cover the costs of participating in the training sessions.
Could this be for you?
You are a young person aged 18-30 living in the Helsinki metropolitan area and locally active
You are motivated and enthusiastic about learning new things
You are ready to commit to a project for six months (approximately 100 hours of activity in total) and to work with young people during the summer
You are able to participate in training sessions held in May-June (in Helsinki on May 15th and May 28th, and in Crete from June 7th to June 9th.)
You are proficient in the English language and interested in international cooperation
You already have some experience in working with young people. You commit to an anti-racist approach and the inherent dignity of all people
Why?
We want to strengthen the voices of young people in urban development and promote local communities and residential areas as places of peace, belonging, and communal existence. We support young people in examining urban space and expressing their own perspectives effectively, as well as creating visions for a more equitable and peace-producing public space.
What?
Training and experience in group facilitation: You will learn about planning and implementing a dialogical group process, as well as how to guide young people to work together safely and meaningfully in various groups and situations towards common goals and sustainable change.
International learning and work experiences: We offer opportunities for meaningful tasks in urban development and community planning through our partners. During the project, you will have the chance to meet new people, places, and cultures.
Power to influence and ability to change: By participating, you gain a network and tools to influence and make positive change in your environment.
Expand your network: By participating in the project, you have the opportunity to meet new people and build an international network for making change together.
You will receive compensation and a certificate for your work: We pay you a fee of €50 for facilitating each workshop (approximately 12 workshops) and a total compensation of €400 for planning, participating in training, and overall project implementation. Additionally, you will receive a comprehensive certificate of the skills you have learned and the work you have done.
How and when?
The participatory group process requires commitment to the process from May 1st to October 30th, 2024. You commit to participating in two training sessions in May (May 15th and May 28th) and an international training in Chania, Crete from June 7th to 9th. Travel costs for all participants will be covered. Additionally, the work includes facilitating meetings with the youth group you and your co-facilitator plan according to your schedules, approximately four times a month from June to August.
For further information, please contact Ansa Kilpeläinen from the Peace Education Institute (ansa.kilpelainen@rauhankasvatus.fi) and apply by April 2nd!