The Training Course Mediterranean for Gender Equality and Rights – MER, just came to its end. During 8 days, from 15th till 22nd June, 40 participants from 18 different countries carried out this project in the outstanding Convento di Baida, 7 km away from Palermo city center. This TC has been funded by the European Union within the framework of Youth in Action programme, Sub-Action 3.1 – Cooperation with the Neighboring Countries of the European Union.
The training course involved 40 participants coming from a variety of Euro-Mediterranean countries (Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, France, Palestine, Germany, Israel, Algeria, Greece, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Portugal, Romania, Spain, UK). They extensively discussed about sexuality, gender equality, women rights, LGBTQ community and much more, expressing and sharing their views, expectations, their different realities. Most of them were youth and social workers. Their high commitment with the TC let them space to learn and teach, improve and grow, while also sharing their dances & gastronomy, traditions and culture through some intercultural dinners that were open to the local community.
By applying non-formal learning methods such as group building activities, workshops, role-playing games or Theater of the Oppressed, participants have acquired and improved their skills and elaborated project ideas concerning gender, equality and rights. The final product of the TC was a performance on Gender equality in front of Massimo Theatre, in the core of Palermo city center, under the collaboration with Palermo Pride. A “gender machine” was represented by the participants, showing the active process of creating gender, and how society usually just recognizes two genders. But gender identity and sexual identity are fluid and do not always fall into two essentialist categories. Participants raised their voices for freedom, gender equality and LGTB rights with the slogan “I am not my gender”.
Every single one of the participants contributed to the group, learnt from it and participated in many different ways. A sense of us was created, tightened the ties not only between their selves but between the countries that involved and laid the foundations for future collaborations. Speaking about gender equality, LGTB rights or sexuality was a challenge in itself, as in some countries questions about homosexuality are still a big taboo. But through open discussion, understanding and sharing views on the group, some walls were beaten and new acknowledgment raised between all the participants.
The training course was curated by trainers with international experience, who guided and helped participants to obtain, discover and share knowledge, understandings, issues and good practices.
We are sure the wave of MER will have a long-term impact among participants but not only, by creating new partnerships and a good friendship between them all.
For further information please write to violeta.rustarazo@cesie.org
