August 28-31 in Kyiv region, Ukraine, the Council of Europe Project “Internal Displacement in Ukraine: Building Solutions” in cooperation with the Offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kyiv and Strasbourg organized a joint training-seminar “Youth Empowerment Weekend: Building Community Initiatives”.
The activity brought together more than 40 young people aged between 16 and 25 from among internally displaced persons, refugee- and asylum-seeking youth, as well as young representatives of host communities.
Participants of the event were welcomed by Ms Delphine Leneutre from UNHCR Representation to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, Ms Noel Calhoun, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Ukraine (Kyiv) and Ms Olena Lytvynenko, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine (Kyiv).
During the activity by the means of non-formal education participants discovered the concept of human rights and inclusion, shared their experience in local integration, learnt how to conduct needs analysis and to find potential partners.
As one of the outputs of the activity participants have elaborated their initiatives and projects aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, active citizenship and community development. These initiatives will be further followed up and supported by the organizers.