In a bid to catalyze impactful change and foster collaboration, representatives from diverse partner organizations converged at the Training Academy's office in Rome on the 28th of July. This consortium meeting, a pivotal event within the Empiric project co-funded by the European Union, bore witness to insightful discussions, strategic planning, and a shared commitment to driving positive transformations in the realm of youth engagement and migrant support.
The gathering commenced with a comprehensive review of the last training session, which unfolded in Berlin in June 2023. The partners, hailing from various backgrounds including Training Academy, EFSAS, the Afghanistan Committee, and Adiyaman Kultur, engaged in open dialogues to extract valuable feedback. Challenges such as language barriers, questionnaire participation, and aligning training objectives were addressed with utmost attention. Through collaborative exchanges, it became apparent that refining communication methods and enhancing clarity were paramount for future training sessions.
A standout moment of the meeting was a remote address by Mr. Fabrizio Chillemi, the visionary force behind "Idee in Movimento". Through his direct involvement with refugees, Mr. Chillemi illuminated the intricacies of the immigration system, touching on challenges faced by both migrants and local authorities. His insights paved the way for discussions on systemic improvements at the European level, ranging from efficient first arrival centers to standardized immigration laws and freedom of movement within the EU.
The Training Academy representatives took center stage to unveil the methodology for the upcoming training course scheduled in Turkey from November 6th to 10th, 2023. The training will span three days with three sessions per day, strategically designed to empower youth workers. The collaborative efforts in refining the pre and post-surveys showcased the shared commitment to meaningful progress.
Awareness was raised about the significance of social media in amplifying the project's impact. To address this, the organizations collectively established a "communication committee" comprising representatives from each partner organization. This committee, entrusted with information dissemination and ensuring adherence to a well-defined calendar, solidified the commitment to effective communication.
A pivotal aspect of the meeting centered around the forthcoming E-Handbook, envisaged as a comprehensive resource capturing the project's essence. Discussions revolved around its structure, components, and inclusive policy recommendations from each participating organization. The commitment to a collective policy recommendation template provided by EFSAS further underlined the collaborative spirit.
Towards the meeting's conclusion, the organizations acknowledged the need for an extension to meet the project's expectations comprehensively. A mutual consensus was reached to dedicate a future Zoom meeting to holistic feedback, embracing the project's overarching journey. With eyes set on the horizon, participants agreed on the importance of this collective evaluation.
As the day wrapped up, the partners mutually agreed to skip the August Zoom meeting and earmarked September 6th for the next engagement. The mid-term meeting showcased a robust commitment to driving change, facilitating connections, and collectively striving towards the project's ultimate goals.
Through candid discussions, collaborative planning, and shared insights, the Empiric consortium meeting underscored the power of united efforts in shaping a brighter future for youth engagement and migrant support. The resonance of these discussions is set to echo throughout the remaining journey of the project, embodying the collaborative spirit and drive for meaningful change.