blog post

Dear Everyone!

We've just finished an absolutely amazing week. I'm personally more than satisfied with the work, the succes and the results. Usually when a project or a phase ends we hear that: "It isn't the end. This is just the begining." Well, in this case that's something even better and more powerful. This is the CONTINUATION. We started together something great and important almost a year ago. We established the basics, the ideas back in Hungary. Then we went to the UK, to Woodrow. I have no words for that week, for the inspiration I get there. We detected the wrost extremist problems in our own countries and decided that we are going to take actions. And we did. I think we exceeded our previous expectations.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who made that happen. Everyone who worked at least a little bit on this should feel proud!! I'm very glad that I was chosen as the project manager for this conference. Usually I'm more scared or anxious when I'm facing this kind of responsability. But now I felt that with such an amazing group failing isn't an option. Thanks for all the groups, for all their leaders. I think it was very important that the 3 country groups were able to work together smoothly.

Some of you might know that on the very beginning of the week I lost someone close and important to me. The only thing that helped me was actually the group. I felt that I had to go on, but it wasn't something heroic to do. Looking back it was a true miracle that I could carry on. I can't be thankful enough to You all!!

However as the project manager I feel that I made a mistake at the evaluation. Insted of emphasizing the enormous great job I underlined one single, little 

thing I didn't agree with. You might remember that it was about a last minute decision during the conference. I focused on this thing without even mentioning the professionalism and values behind this decision. That's not okey! The reason why I'm writing this down is because I learned from this and it could be my story to share. I think when we see only one negative thing without realizing the positive ones then it is an excellent starting point for the extremism. So my message to EVERYONE is "Focus on the positive! Don't bury the things you can't agree with but talk about it! The discussion will be the solution!"

We set the bar quite high again! Let's jump it over next time too!

Take care, Guys!

Dávid (Daud)

Photo from YAE THESSALONIKI DECEMBER 2014

Robin & Saf from the UK delegation outside the venue for the YAE Conference…

Evaluation and follow-up

Calling all project participants! The evaluation survey for Thessaloniki is now live at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YAEgreece

EU Youthpass certificates will be issued to all participants who complete the survey.

YAE Thessaloniki project

I feel so lucky to have been part of the YAE project in Thessaloniki. Thanks to the project I got to meet so many inspiring people who strive to have an impact and make a difference. People who are able to see beyond the differences and connect with those who have the same passion and fire within them. I think we would all agree that the world needs more of these people in order to be a better and safer place for everyone.

I'd also like to thank you all for sharing your stories as these taught as a most invaluable lesson: Sometimes you simply have no control over the bad things that happen to you but what you do have is the freedom to respond to them any way you want. And this is what reveals your true self and defines who you are!

Keep up the amazing job everyone!

Love,

Theo

Pic

Thinking about THE week.

Looking back at this amazing week I have only good things in my mind. I met so many beautiful people with so many strong and touching stories. With some of them we didn't even speak the same language but that did not make it dificult for us to communicate. Every night we would leave the hotel just for a night's sleep but every time we would hug and kiss just as we had a great friendship and knew each other for years.

With some of the guys there I became closer, with others not so much. But I know every single name and remember all the faces with the passionate eyes that looked straight to my soul. 

Then, there is that one person that I believe touched me the most and I will never forget those eyes looking at me the way they did. All the things I learned and heard from that person will always be in my mind and in my heart.

The past few days I gained a unique, unbelievable experience. But most of all I gained some true friends, people that I want in my life and deeply hope will stay in it.

I will miss every single one of them and wait to meet them again sometime. 

This is not the end. This is a new beggining.

 Love, Rhea

That's the end of my reporting folks...

As the week draws to a close and we head off in different directions I feel very privileged to be able to enter into the lives of so many inspiring young people. 

At this age young people are so full of ideologies and energy and their minds still not yet made up. I meet the ones who have joined a project because they want to do something.

I spoke with home a few days ago and heard my wife and children had put up the xmas tree and we're watching a film and I felt very lonely at not being there with them. I thought my xmas had yet to start, but as I sit hear reflecting on this I realise I have received the greatest xmas present a father can receive and that is a present from the young people I'm with here and now, that present is a present called hope. Hope in creating a better, fairer future where people care for each other.

Thank you for this insight and present, I will hold it tightly in my heart for a very long time

Merry Xmas to all young people making a difference out there

Paul (paul@momentumworld.org)

Xxx