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Tar Éis Óir <TarEisOir>

"Irish Gaisce Award Holders Association"

	Tar Eis Oir Slovenia - Ireland Challenge	119 dni temu
	A group of young people will be putting their Award skills to the test as they navigate their way across the Slovenian Alps as part of their Gold Award Expedition. The six-day expedition, taking place between 31 July and 9 August, is the first phase of the Slovenia - Ireland Challenge, a pan-European youth exchange between young people taking the International Award. The project is the first such international initiative between the two countries. "Both M.E.P.I. (Slovenia) and Tar Éis Óir (Award Holder’s Association, Ireland) have invested tremendous combined efforts to realise this first joint international exchange project, firmly rooted in the core principles of being safe, challenging, educational and fun, and true to the values of the International Award for Young People. Through this project we strive for the participants from both countries to learn more, dream more, do more and become more", says Andrew Forde, Expedition Leader. Survival skills The participants, all from different educational, social and geographical backgrounds, and each with varying physical ability, will have to call upon their knowledge and skills to see them through. The group will have to plan routes, navigate their way through the mountains and ensure the safety of the team. Supervisors will be keeping an eye on the team, but it's very much down to them to complete the journey themselves. "I can`t wait to start, because the preparations, fundraising, trying to keep fit, worrying about 1001 things, borrowing various parts of equipment from generous friends, etc, are kind of killing me right now!" enthuses Katja Jezeršek from Slovenia. "I am nervous too. I have a feeling that the project (especially the survival part) will be hard… but that is what we are looking for, right? Something difficult, something challenging, something different." Exploring identity As well as practical skills, the participants will explore the idea of a shared European identity, expanding their knowledge on pan-European (and global) issues, such as human rights, environmental protection and active citizenship. "We want to promote a culture of understanding and tolerance between people of different cultures, customs, opinions, backgrounds and ethnicities, to enjoy the richness of diversity," explains Andrew. Community work Individuals will also be required to engage with the local community and in environmental protection activities in which they have been exploring. It is hoped that this trip will help develop their understanding and appreciation for the environment. "I’m doing this expedition because it's going to be an adventure and a challenge," says Rachel Hearne from Ireland. "It's not often that one gets the opportunity to spend a week trekking in the Alps - that's a wonderful experience in itself, but doing it 'the hard way' will be quite unique. "I hope to learn a lot from the survival aspect of the expedition whilst enjoying the great outdoors and learning about Slovenian culture from our fellow adventurers. One can't get to the top by sitting on one's bottom!" A follow-up project is planned to take place in Ireland in 2010. Pictures from the expedition will be available in August.
	opublikowane przez Tar Éis Óir