Power4Youth Member Evaluation of the Event :-)

Members did a "post-it" evaluation immediately after the event and a week or more later, did an online evaluation. Here, we share with you (and with each other), the feedback and impact this P4Y project had:

 What were the best parts about this event?

"I learned so much from others. It's great to meet new people, hear they stories and learn from their experiences and other counties care system etc."

"Meeting new people, interacting with them and making sure they have a great time. It was awesome to hear a few participants say they felt included and accepted immediately."

"The best part was the acquaintance with people who have experienced the same that I have experienced myself, namely to live outside biological family. Also seminars themselves, exchange information and work with young people and nice opportunity to be in a country like the Netherlands."

"For me, it was a big opportunity to know about others' country care systems. Till now, it was as a black hole for me."

 

What information, or skill, or thoughts did you have at this event that you value or will use again?

 "That there are young people in many other countries, who want to change the care system. When we get together, we can do really big things, big changes."

"The part about the positive/negative thinking, visualisation and the information on care systems in other countries."

  

"Can we be the change we want to see in the world?"

"I think we should stay together, in contact and work as a team of young people from different countries. In my opinion our voice can be really strong."

"I think more people should learn about P4Y. You should more often have such seminars to exchange information. And then will there be change."

Learning?

Over 86% of participants said they learned "loads more" or "more" about P4Y; 

80% learning "loads more" or "more" about Youth in Action; Everyone said they learned more about other care systems in Europe! Over two thirds said they "loads more" or "more" about themselves and social media and 80% said they learned more about how to BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD 

Special thank you's to all the wonderful participants, our facilitator Sarah, the board and members of P4Y who designed and volunteered at this event, our partner organisations, Youth in Action and Jean Anne for coordinating the whole thing. There is a very clear message that youth with care experience WILL be the change we want to see in the world, are strong advocates for themselves and other youth and that together, we can acheive so many things!

Will they listen?

Power4Youth members during the European Seminar in April, made significant contributions to a European Parliament Exhibition event by sharing some of our life messages, our thoughts on the role of family, and our strong and clear messages to policy makers and civil society. Some of the photos at the exhibition are of Power4Youth members (which we made during our European Seminar) as we wanted to share a strong visual association between the messages, showing that there is a young person's voice, story and rights behind each message. Our coordinator, Jean Anne Kennedy will also be at the event to volunteer at the exhibition and talk to people.

More information about the upcoming event in Brussels: This unique and powerful exhibition will highlight that for over a million children in Europe, the right to a family life is still not realised. Visitors will hear from young people themselves and from experts in child development and fundamental rights about the detrimental effects of institutionalisation, and the benefits of prevention and alternative care. In a Europe of rights, no child should have to grow up in and institution; with policy support and funding from the EU, they won't have to.  

Eurochild, Hopes & Homes for Children (HHC) and Absolute Return for Kids invites you to an exhibition, vernissage and expert Round Table beginning of June in the European Parliament in Brussels.

• Expert Roundtable: 6 June, 16:00 – 18:00, European Parliament, Brussels, ASP A1E-1 followed by a:
• Vernissage at ASP Ground Floor (outside the members' restaurant), 6 June, 18:00 – 20:00
• Exhibition: just outside the members' restaurant, open between the 4–7 June 2012

Speakers at the roundtable include Dr Charles H. Zeanah, a leading global expert in early childhood development, and renowned children’s rights expert Dr Maria Herzog of the UN’s Committee for the Rights of the Child and president of Eurochild. We will then hear from the Commission and European Parliament Presidency at the vernissage which follows (speakers tbc). The whole event is hosted by Mairead McGuinness, MEP. You can register here: roundtable and vernissage
For more information, contact Jean Anne at jeananne@power4youth.net or Eurochild updates

What did our participants want to achieve together? (Part II)

How will Power4Youth promote "Be the change you want to see in the world"? The YOUTH will be the change. Here is some quotes from the young people about why they want to participate with Power4Youth in 2012:

"We would like to support and promote young people in care in implementing changes in their lives and the lives of other. We would also like to promote quality care of young people. We would like to be involved in consultations and in discussions and decision – making in our country. We feel that this seminar can be a great contribution to our thinking and experience, we hope to learn new skills and come back home with new information."

Lucie, Czech Republic

"My reason and motivation to participate in this seminar is that I can share my way of life after leaving my institution and enter my host family... Because I volunteered for the Foundation (For Our Children) engaged in projects related to integration and training of children to leave their upcoming institutions believe that they will gain experience that would help me for my work in Bulgaria - Planning and imagining things (as a former graduate of the home for children deprived of parental care), how share experience gained after I left the institution on how such children should be able to collide with real life beyond."

Yanko, Bulgaria

"Find ways to help youth in (alternative) care in Malta."

Bernard, Malta

"I am excited to see our organisation developing and am very interested in forging our future plans together. As an experienced young person, I am eager to help others that need guidance or help. I will also happily contribute with whatever skills that might be useful and unique for me."

Kersti, Estonia

"To be part of the international event that gathers many ‘life experts’ that have gotten help from the system and are now contributing to improving it, it is always great to change experiences and good practices. I now work also as a youth educator, for more than 3 years now and can apply the knowledge and practical information directly to the young people I work with. Also I can contribute with my experience, as a child from alternative care system, but also and educator who has already a certain experience."

Meelis, Estonia

"Our group has already arranger seminar for youth in care. Our next aim is to build up a youth in care network in Finland. After the seminar I would like to know more about best practices and ideas in different countries and try those in our own work when building up a network."

Sami, Finland

"I am very interested in meeting young people from other countries who have been in care. I hope to share my experiences and learn from them also, about the things that are good and how I can use this information to make things better for other young people in care and change the system in Ireland and make it better... Using social media to raise awareness of the issues, what’s wrong with the system and what needs to change to make things better for young people in care... Get involved in bringing information to the people who make decisions... Help other young people get involved and speak up for themselves"

Dean, Ireland

"I would love to exchange life experiences in fostercare and learn from people around Europe. Coincidentally at the moment I am gathering people all over the Netherlands who have lived in fostercare. This initiative is at its very beginning. This conference is something different though. The reason I got so enthusiastic about it, because it is an opportunity to be able to change something in the policy of fostercare and learn about it and to have a voice in what is happening in fostercare."

Madeliene, Netherlands

"I would like to make the existing network stronger, build on what we already got. I can’t wait to share experiences and make plans on how to expand our network. The non-formal learning method is known but still a bit new, and I love to work with it to expand my knowledge and ability to advocate for youth in alternative care."

Marit, Netherlands

"My main motivation is the desire to acquire new knowledge. At the end of the seminar I would like to know enough that I could transfer the lessons learned in my organization."

Julijana, Croatia

"I’m hoping to gain further insight into the possibilities of what Power4Youth can do and how I can best use the skills I have to offer. My experiences working as a consultant care leaver and previous training have meant that I am able to offer mentoring, support, guidance to other care experienced people.  Amongst other things I have been working on some training which aims to be delivered by care leavers for care leavers."

Ian, UK (England)

"I can share the experiences what we have done in Finland and support to use these methods also in other countries. ... I believe I can find something what I really want to be doing. And as I said, I hope I can hear stories what other guys have done and get new ideas how to develop our work in Finland"

Pipsa, Finland

To read more motivations from other participants, visit: P4Y Participant Motivations (part 1)

Ruzzel, Norway : Franceska, Bulgaria : Danielle, Ireland : Chelsea, UK (England) : Ada, Norway : Zeljka, Croatia : Radka, Czech Republic : Cristian, Romania : Miko, Netherlands

What did our participants want to achieve together?

How will Power4Youth promote "Be the change you want to see in the world"? The YOUTH will be the change. Here is some quotes from the young people about why they want to participate with Power4Youth in 2012:

“I want to learn more about the other countries experiences with the child welfare and what kind of system they have in different countries. As well as I want to share with others about my experiences with the Norwegian system”  

Ruzzel, Norway

"I interested to participate in this specific initiative in my capacity of a foster child in the past 8 years. I see the difference for a child between growing up in an institution and a family."  

Franceska, Bulgaria

"My motivation to participate stems from my original positive experience in 2008. I was overwhelmed by the power of peer support and I would like to learn/gain advice as to how I could bring that to Ireland at a more local level. Now that I have finished my studies I would like to become involved in advocating for children and young people in care at a more global level."  

Danielle, Ireland

"Having a positive & professional relationship with other care leavers and to gain a better understanding of the law and local authorities regarding care experienced young people across Europe.  To improve the lives of children currently in the care system in the foreseeable future."  

Chelsea, UK (England)

"I want to learn how to cooperate with youth organizations internationally, and learn more about “Power 4 youth” as I find it very interesting, I also believe our  organization has a lot to offer the conference. I can inform our members, and continue the work I'm already doing for my organization. I can also help set an example for other people that are or have been under care."  

Ada, Norway

"I would like to continue work with Power4Youth and thats mean to attend on their trainings. I hope to learn new things and activate myself more in work of P4Y. I am not sure at this moment, but surely I will talk about this training and  implement my knowledge from this training in to work with young people from care in Croatia. "  

Zeljka, Croatia

"We would like to support and promote young people in care in implementing changes in their lives and the lives of other. We would also like to promote quality care of young people. We would like to be involved in consultations and in discussions and decision – making in our country."  

Radka, Czech Republic

"I would like to meet young people like me, from different countries,  that grown in alternative care system, to share experiences, to help each other in finding best solution for childrens from alternative care system."  

Cristian, Romania

"Whatever way possible"  

Miko, Netherlands

Power4Youth's European Seminar was am overwhelming success last weekend. So exciting to have young people from: Estonia, Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Finland, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Norway, Romania, Croatia and Finland. Each country was represented by one, two or three young people, each sharing some of their stories, their country's facts and experience or offering their opinions on European Youth in Care. We exchanged information, networked and learned about other countries and their care systems. We also had a lot of fun, did alot of group activities and also learned about social media. Each represented country then developed an action plan, with 1-2 aims of how young people will "be the change we want to see in the world". We all left energised, with new friendships and with enthusiasm to do more for other young people!
Keep updated as we share our action plans, more photos and content and some of our messages!

You can also link to us on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Power4Youth

Gettin' Ready and Countin' Down!

Dear Participants!

Well, flights are nearly all booked, materials are being bought and it's TIME TO GET EXCITED! This update is for preparation and your arrival plans!

What to bring:

1. Bring a jacket/coat in case of rain. The weather is quite mild in the Hague (Den Haag).
2. Bring a personal artifact - something of personal value that you are willing to talk about.
3. Bring a towel!
4. Bring any computer, video-camera, camera, phones or electronic devices you would like to use to create social media content!
5. Bring all accompanying wires, adapters and chargers you need for the electronics.

What to DO BEFORE you arrive:
Please read your emails early next week. I will be sending you some documents over the weekend. It would be really helpful to READ THEM before you come. It will include an introduction to Power4Youth, a paper on De-Institutionalization in Europe, information about what to expect during your three days in the Netherlands.

What to DO WHEN you arrive:

1. When you arrive at Schiphol (Amsterdam) Airport, a P4Y volunteer meet you. After you collect your luggage, you go through the 'Arrivals Door'.
2. Keep your eyes open for a 'Power4Youth' logo in someone's hands!
3. If for any reason you do not see someone, call me (+31 68 3036300) and I will connect you. Then walk towards STARBUCKS so they know where to find you. (Don't forget to put my number in your phone or write it down!)
   
4. There are 24 young people joining this event- when you arrive in the airport, we will put you in groups of 3-4 because the planes arrive less than 90 minutes apart. Together you will get a train to Den Haag HS.
5. The train leaves directly from the airport more than 6 times in one hour. The P4Y volunteer will show you where to buy your ticket and where the train leaves from. It will cost €7.60 (single journey). The train journey is 30-35 minutes
   
6. When you arrive to Den Haag HS, there will be another P4Y volunteer meeting you at the train station! Get out of the train, go down the stairs to the main hall. They will walk with you to the hostel- it's a 5-7 minute walk from the train station.
7. 
   View Larger Map
8. Ta-dah!! You will have arrived in The Hague safely! On Friday evening we will have a casual dinner together and a small Welcoming Gathering after dinner.

SEE. YOU(th). NEXT. WEEK.!!!
(Any questions? Need more info? Email me! JeanAnne@Power4Youth.net)

(Please note: if you are the two (lovely) people arriving on Thursday, I will pick you up from the Airport and I'll go on the train with you. If you are the one (lovely) person arriving via Eindhoven, I'll send you your arrival details before Friday!)

Our Partners! :-)

Hi!
Happy Friday Everyone!
Today we want to introduce you to our project partners. For every country that we have representatives from, we are linked to an organisation that supports youth in alternative care in different ways. We also have an international partner, IFCO, who was one of the Quality4Children partners where Power4Youth holds its origins.

In April, youth will represent partners from Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Romania and United Kingdom. These are the names and logos of those organisations: For Our Children (Bulgaria), Forum za Kvalitetno Udomiteljstvo Djece-udomitelji za Djecu (in English, known as 'Forum') (Croatia), Informační středisko Mikuláš, o.p.s. (Nicholas Information Centre) (Czech Republic), Estonian Association of Care-workers (Estonia), Pesapuu (Finland), Empowering People in Care (Ireland), International Foster Care Organisation (International), National Foster Care Association (Malta), Power4Youth (Netherlands), Landsforeningen for barnevernsbarn (National Association for Child Welfare) (Norway), The Aurelia Trust (Romania), and Foster Care Associates (Core Assets) (United Kingdom).

You can stay updated through Facebook and our website. We will also be adding a YouTube channel, a Flickr photo Album and more!