Practicing critical reflection

International youth workers mobility activity ‘Practicing critical reflection’ financed by Leargas under European Union Programme Erasmus+

1th-8th of September 2019, Clare Island, Ireland

Countrys: Ireland, Lithuania, Armenia, Albania, Romania, UK, Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Spain.

The Critical Refection is one of the methods that can be used to relieve some of the tensions and to improve the well-being

of the Youth Work practitioners. Critical Reflection provides both: theory and process (framework) that enables youth work

practitioners to manage tensions and work complexities effectively and helps to articulate the value of knowledge that is

generated from the practical experiences. The Critical Reflection can also be used to develop or articulate a model of supervision.

Thus, this project is aiming to demystify the ‘Critical Reflection Model’ and to provide practical tools to navigate through the

fast-changing youth work context. The main objectives of this Youth Workers Mobility Activity are:

Present the theoretical frameworks of the Critical Reflection Models;
Create spaces for participants to critically reflect on their current Youth Work, Project Management and Training practices;
Use critical reflection to develop or articulate a model of supervision (to be implemented in participating organisations as a
follow-up action);
Support the development of competences in a field of the reflective practice and the intercultural learning;
Introduce the European Training Strategy Competence framework and the YouthPass frameworks.

Learning outcomes:

In this training course was designed to meet the needs, interests and expertise this group. Trainers
provided a frame, methodology and support when it is needed. The training process was highly participatory, led by the participants group.

The team: 🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏽🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏽

Aiste Slajute – Project coordinator and Trainer

Originality from Lithuanian, Aiste have been living in Ireland since 2005. She is a founder and a director
of ‘Eurobug, International Youth Work Training and Collaboration’ NGO that is focusing on social
inclusion of the ethnic minority youth. Additionally, she has co-coordinated No Hates Speech
Movement in Ireland, and worked as a freelance trainer in the European field of Youth for the last 5
years. Her formal education background is in a Youth Work as she holds BSocSc degree in Youth and
Community Work from University College Cork.
‘My work has a holistic and person-cantered approach with particular emphasis on empowerment
through active participation. As a trainer, I use creative and engaging non-formal education methods
that can challenge groups, as I am always up for a challenge myself! I believe that Youth Work is about
standing in solidarity with marginalised groups and walking that extra mile towards building a more
inclusive society where diversity is celebrated, and every single person is valued for who they are. And
I feel truly privileged to be a part of so many incredible journeys!’

Amel Yacef – Trainer

Originally from Algeria, has been working in the youth and community sector in Ireland for almost 20
years; she has been, throughout her career managing and coordinating projects with a focus on social
justice, equality and human rights. She has significant experience working with minority ethnic young
people and young people facing injustice and discrimination. She has been a voluntary board member
of organisations working on migrant health, migrant Rights and migrant women issues, anti-racism and
people power lead social change.
Amel is presently a full-time trainer and facilitator and focuses on transformative and compassionate
communication, community building and development, understanding diversity and solidarity building.
She also has extensive experience in contributing and facilitating processes to enable the voice of the
grass roots to sit in its power, and impact political discourse. She is a Muslim feminist and anti-racist
who believes in transformative justice and its values.

Cristina Iancu – Trainer

Originally from Romania, but now living in Ireland, Cristina is a trainer and facilitator who holds a
Diploma in Youth and Community Development Practice, as well as a Ba in Theatre Studies and Ma in
Theatre, Film, and Multimedia. She is a founder of ‘Retold Narratives’ an enterprise that designs and
facilitates socially driven educational programmes for Youth and Community groups and practitioners.
‘I am currently facilitating Creative Writing workshops for children and young people. I am also a part of
‘Making Links’ network that supports minority lead youth and community organisations in Ireland, and
additionally, I am an intercultural trainer for Yellow Flag Programme which is a part of an Irish Traveler Movement.