Editor's choice April 2009

A Visit From Over Seas

A group of policy-makers from Germany visited St Martin’s Youth and Community Centre, to gain an understanding of the youth service within the Highgate area.

The visitors had a very eventful and informative afternoon. They watched a documentary created by Isambard Films that discussed issues surrounding citizenship within Birmingham. A presentation about the 1 love project was given by Russell Green from Stanhope Youth Centre and Simon Walker from Friction Arts. Together they discussed the steps that are being taken to make Birmingham a city of change and possibilities. They highlighted the need for communities to focus upon commonalities not differences. An interactive workshop took place giving the German visitors a chance to explore and understand the meaning of 1 love, this was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole group and produced a lot of interesting feedback.

The cultural exchange was organised by the British Council, in total 16 people came on 3-day trip to Birmingham. During their stay they travelled to different areas of Birmingham visiting youth centres and community projects. The group was made up of German policy makers and youth workers who used the exchange to learn about different methods of youth engagement.

The British Council part funds European youth exchanges with the aim of bringing together groups of young people from different backgrounds, providing them with an opportunity to meet, discuss and confront various themes, whilst learning about each other’s countries and cultures. The visit was a way of creating a link between Germany and Birmingham.

Sarah from the British Council said, “I feel that it has gone well, the interaction has been positive. The German participants have fully embraced the different youth services that we have visited in Birmingham, they have been sharing and learning. ”

Gwen Bunse from German Ministry For Youth, added “The exchange has been very interesting, its has given us a lot of new ideas that we incorporate into out youth service in Germany. Hearing about different experiences and seeing successful projects that started off from the impossible has been inspirational.”