The programme at the VSS2009

The program of the VSS 2009 consists of workshops, leisure activities, a community project and much more! Check out the current program:

NEW: The full workshop programme is now available as a overview PDF.

If you are a participant, you can sign up for workshops once we have confirmed your final payment - just log in and then choose workshops in the right hand menu.

Arrival and departure times

There are many options to come to the VSS 2009 - please see our travel page for in-depth information. If you want to use the free airport shuttle, you need to be out of the airport (including grabbing your bags!)

At Ataturk Airport at 16:00
SAW Airport: 17:30 and preferably book return flights after 12:00 on tuesday

(Preliminary) list of workshops

This is the preliminary list of workshops that can - and will - change until the VSS. It should give you a good idea about the workshop topics that will be offered and that you can participate in:

What is creativity? Where does it come from? How to stimulate it?

What does creativity mean in a more psychological view? Where does it derive from? How can I become more creative? If you ever wondered about those questions you are more than welcome to join us in this workshop.

Improvisation in training and workshop

Material you planned with is missing? Only half of the expected participants arrived in time? You have to unexpectedly lead a plenary session? In this workshop we will look on different strategies to react to unexpected changes.

Creative and innovative approaches in problem-solving (with case studies)

In this session you will use your creativity and innovation to solve problems in a team. We will first explore the theme in general and then break the outcome down to our daily AFS business.

Different roles in a team and how to use them

This workshop will be held by two trainers: Hitzegrad Anne and Menke Inga. Team work plays an important role in AFS work. In this session participants will get to know strategies on identifying the different roles in a team. You will learn how to use those different roles in order to have a successful team work, efficiently using the different roles.

Team-Building games, when, which, why?

There are many activities used to bring people together, get the groups energy level up and help them act as a team. Although these activities are generalized as Group Building activities it is important to know which ones to use with whom, how and when. Apart from learning and experiencing different team building activities, this workshop will give you a chance to explore possibilities of better placing and using these activities according to the context that you are working in.

Inclusion of Migrants into AFS organisations

How can we gain minorities as regular program participants and after their participation integrate them into our AFS organisations? These minorities being e.g. immigrants, handicapped persons, person from different economical situations or religiously diverse backgrounds. This workshop will also show different strategies of benefiting from working in diverse groups.

Volunteer development in a local chapter

Have you ever heard of "concentric circle recruitment"? How can you find the right person for the right job and how can you prepare him for it? This session will focus on the development of a local chapter, showing ways of empowering volunteers. It will also try to leave some space to sharing of best practices of the participants.

Visualizing information

Using visualization between at least two persons aims at improving the transfer of knowledge. Examples of such visual formats could be diagrams, images or even drama - the basics though, is the written word! In this workshop we will start off with those basics, have a look at your needs and might even become creative if you bring some topics that you would like to present and work at with the group.

Dream Journey

This workshop will look at AFS's vision for the future and the place of AFS in the future. We will explore the endless possibilities that the future holds for exchange programs in general and AFS in particular. How do you see AFS in the future? "Internet" (facebook, skype, vs.), or in general "information technology" - how can we use it more efficiently in order to reach our mission?

Stimulating creativity in groups

Are you creative? How do you stimulate your creativity? What can be done to stimulate the creativity in a group? How do you create a creative environment where people are encouraged to be creative and innovative? During this workshop you will get inspiriation and ideas as to stimulate creativity.

The Youth in Action programme: Volunteer projects without borders

Did you know it's possible to get European funding to do a chapter exchange? Or to get together with AFS volunteers from other countries network, have fun and create projects together? This workshops will present the Youth in Action (YiA) programme, its background and specific actions relevant to AFS volunteers and volunteer projects. It will specifically focus on how volunteers can make use of it and what actions are the most relevant for AFS volunteers/chapters if they want to start a project. You will also get some "Tips for creating a good YiA project."

Innovative P.R. methods

Newsletters, websites, posters...we all know these well. But what else is out there? This workshop will invite you to investigate new methods of promoting AFS and its mission, find new, creative and unusual ways. It will focus both on internal and external public relations.

The place of AFS in a persons life

Why do I volunteer? What does it bring and take? How do I grow personally and professionally? What are my strengths and weaknesses and how can I work with them? What motivates me and where am I going? This workshop will be with YOU about YOU - are you curious? Come and join!

Networking (HOW TO?)

This workshop will focus on networking from a more theoretical point of view. Together with others you will learn how to address other NGOs and potential partners; how to create added value together; how to define needs and what does cooperation and partnership brings and takes. Practical examples will strengthen the learning outcome of the workshop.

Supporting intercultural learning at schools (180min)

While AFS exchanges provide very valuable intercultural learning experiences to young people through intercultural exchanges many ICL opportunities that actually exist within our very own communities are usually not recognized and taken advantage off. Intercultural competences such as empathy, awareness of multicultural settings and the perception of reality as a social construction are becoming essential not only for the personal development of young people, but for their social, political and professional lives. Through this workshop we will look into possibilities to increase young people's interest towards intercultural learning and broaden their competences within the formal education settings. This workshop will also provide a chance for you to share the outcomes of the recent EFIL Study Session on ICL through Active Participation of Young People in their School Communities as well.

How to promote less popular destinations

The promotion of less demanded destinations is a well known issue among all AFS Partners. In 2008, the Stop UnderEASTimation Seminar took place in Czech Republic to discuss about the theme. This Workshop will share the outcomes of the EFIL Seminar and develop further strategies on the issue.

Introduction to the European youth policy

Youth issues are an important part of the European political agenda and many decisions European politicians take influence our daily and AFS life. Topics such as school and non-formal education, youth mobility or volunteering are the fields where young people can and should have a say. In this workshop you will learn about the general overview of the European youth agenda and about ways you could get involved there as an AFS volunteer.

How to improve re-entry orientations

In May 2009, EFIL organised a Seminar about Re-entry orientation, its dangers and possibilities. The Workshop will share the outcome of the Seminar as a starting point.

Introduction to European institutions

What is the difference between the European Council and the Council of Europe? What role does the European Parliament play? Which European bodies deal with issues of AFS interest - education, culture, mobility? You will receive a short overview of how the different European structures and institutions work.

Educational content of the European Citizenship Trimester programme

If your country is or plans to get involved in the new European Citizenship Trimester Programme, this workshop is for you. We will talk about the connection of European Citizenship topics to the AFS exchange and intercultural learning, and how to include this content in the orientations of the Trimester participants. We will also gather you input for the programme of the joint End-of-Stay camp in Brussels.

How to use outdoors methods in intercultural learning

This workshop will be held by two trainers: Belohlavkova Jana and Cerna Jitka. Non-formal learning doesn't always have to take place indoors. Let's get out into the nature and use it as a resource for creative methods! Concrete outdoors methods and their role in intercultural learning will be presented in this workshop.

Motivation of volunteers

How do we motivate people to volunteer for AFS and stay active? Motivating volunteers and keeping this motivation up is a very important challenge that all AFS chapters face. This workshop will explore different answers to the very common question of "how do I motivate volunteers?" and explore various methods that exist within the different AFS organisations used to help motivate volunteers.

Knowledge management

One big asset of AFS is its knowledge. How do we work with it, how do we transfer it to our new volunteers? Do we write down how to do a camp? This session could incorporate all kinds of best-practice sharing. (Strategy, structure, guidelines, manuals, vs.)

Introduction to being a great liaison

This session will focus on methods that would guide volunteers who are or will be liaison/counselor/contact person to exchange students. You will also learn about conflict resolution and mediation as the key to become a great liaison.

AFS publications

This workshop will be held by two trainers: Cemci Cem and Yavuz Ali. From single articles to magazines, newsletters and reports: AFS volunteers produce many publications each year - both for AFS internally as well as for other stakeholders. This workshop will introduce you to the world of publications, give you the opportunity to train your writing skills and learn about publications from other AFS countries. There could be best practice sharing and networking among volunteers that write newsletters and publications as well.

Volunteer life cycle (180min)

The 'Volunteer Life Cycle' is one model that is often used within AFS to explain the world of volunteering. The lifecycle differs from country to country and depends on many circumstances. Starting from this model, we want to explore motives for volunteering, 'organizational culture', ownership and empowerment.

The art of delegation

Do you often have the feeling that you are standing alone with all the work to be done? Or maybe you have the thought that it will take longer to explain the task to someone else than to do it by yourself? Or is there nobody around to do the things as good as you can do them? Many reasons not to delegate. Let us find some reasons for delegation and afterwards discuss how it can be done best. It might give you the time and energy to be innovative and creative elsewhere..

Innovative and meaningful EVALUATION

Feedback and Evaluation are used at almost every level of the AFS organization. But how can we improve this part of AFS and how do we implement it better? Furthermore, how can we encourage constructive criticism?

Global responsibility

Have you ever wondered about the world getting smaller? Are we more dependent or independent on each other than before? How come that an action on the other side of the globe effects our everyday life? This workshop will aim to discover the concept and elements of Global responsibility, presenting different views and perspectives.

Intercultural Dialogue Day - Coordinators Meeting (180min)

The coordinators of the intercultural dialogue day will meet during the VSS in this session. Please don't join if you are not a intercultural dialogue day coordinator!

It's never too... early

This workshop will teach participants how to present simple ideas about cultural differences and diversity to little children. What would we tell them? Simple important things - that people in different parts of the world say hello in different ways, live in different houses and eat different things in different ways. How would we do it? In a form of a game, and this would include for ex. 'cooking' and imaginary meal and eating it. Typical AFS activities, slightly altered considering the young audience, work very well too.

Photo (competition)

Do you like taking pictures? Looking for something more than the traditional holiday photos? Let's explore together the inspiration around us. No matter how experienced photographer you are, sign-up and don't forget to bring your camera to the VSS.

Modern Communication in Volunteer Work

As different modern communication tools are being used more and more we have to consider if this is something we can use in AFS. Can we use Facebook to get information to more people? Can Skype meetings replace traveling to different meetings? What Internet tool can be used for what purpose? What is possible and where are limitations?

Chapter Exchanges

Through this workshop we will have a look at the different steps that needs to be taken towards successful chapter exchanges within the AFS network and hopefully already start establishing connections and even setting up plans towards future chapter exchanges.

Non-Formal Education and AFS

Non-Formal... what? If you ever wondered what is behind this expression and others such as active participation on the learning process or experimental learning then this workshop is for you. NFE has always been a key component of the AFS experience and we'll explore (in a non-formal way!) how both are related and how NFE can be used to improve AFS activities.

Let go without controlling yourself

There are different methods (including singing methods and some ideas from the world of Improvisation Theater) to 'train' and explore spontaneity and creativity on this very personal level. We'll experience them together in this Workshop.

On perceptions and stereotypes

'Europe & Islam: the Myths Behind the Stereotypes.' Stereotypes... we all have them and we usually say we can handle them. Can we? This workshop aims to look at how we perceive and conceptualize reality and what role do stereotypes play in this process. We will discuss the cognitive implications of stereotypes and how we can use them in a constructive way, in order to connect and get to know the 'Other'. (A classic yet still actual topic in the intercultural work.)

Powerpoint Karaoke

Do not worry: we are not going to sing. Aren't we? Well actually we really do not know yet. Have you heard about 'PowerPoint'? A fantastic computer software for presentation. You have used it before? That's good, so you are ready for the next step: Hold a presentation that you have not seen before, you won't know the content and - even worse - you might not understand it! Become the master of spontaneity and creativity! Show everybody the ultimate in our PowerPoint karaoke contest. You have not used PowerPoint before? Never mind, it's not difficult - YOU can do it, and if you rather want to watch, that's fine as well.

Advocating for long term exchanges in Europe (180min)

For AFS volunteers, the benefits of long term exchanges are often obvious, yet sometimes curiously difficult to put into words. Equally known are the difficulties exchange students face, such as getting their exchanges recognised by schools. This workshop will map out the European landscape by identifying key thematic areas, key actors and institutions, will help put words to the convictions we have about exchanges, and will look at how all this fits into the representation and advocacy work of EFIL and its partners.

Fundraising through Networking

AFS volunteer's life does rarely lack new tasks and challenges, but we often miss sufficient (e.g. financial) support to realize them. Creating networks, looking for synergistic effects in our surroundings offer one essential solution to this dilemma. Together we'll focus on defining both our projects basic needs and our particular AFS expertise, pin down our strengths and weaknesses. The better we know what exactly we want and what we're able to offer, the easier it should be to win our potential partners.

Frisbee

Ready for an active siesta? Come and join! Sports shoes and clothing highly recommended.

Singing

Listening to music is great, but what about taking the active role for a while? Am I musical enough? Skip the question – this leisure activity is for all fans of authentic musical expression!

Turkish for beginners

The title says it all.. This leisure activity is extra handy for those who are planning to stay longer in Turkey. Get ready for the situations when none of the local support team members are around and you want to discuss the advantages of Intercultural Learning process with a Turc.

Turkish for beginners

The title says it all.. This leisure activity is extra handy for those who are planning to stay longer in Turkey. Get ready for the situations when none of the local support team members are around and you want to discuss the advantages of Intercultural Learning process with a Turc. Trainers: Saatcioglu Ece and Dereli Yalcin.

Beach volleyball

Morning energizer for everyone who loves the unique combination of beach and volleyball!

Swimming

Refreshing activity for I-love-to-be-in-the-water-all-day-long people.

(Face) massage

Now this is something you really deserve after all the hard work througout the VSS. Giving and receiveing massage will be the main content of this leisure activity.

Hike / Bike

Another active leisure activity for the ones who want to explore the surroundings of the venue.

Brasilian samba

Didn't dance enough last night? Here is something to improve your samba skills...