here - Ayudh
Transcription
here - Ayudh
WELCOME We are happy to receive you at AYUDH’s Youth Initiative “Together We Can” at M.A. Center Germany. This guide is designed to provide extra information on the program, and important guidelines and practical advice on how to make this youth initiative a memorable experience for all. Please read the following information carefully, and don’t hesitate to contact your Country Youth Leader for further clarification. Contact details are given at the end of this document. PROGRAMME .......................................................................................................................................... 3 summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 what is a youth initiative? .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 who stands behind the initiative? ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 in focus: .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 speakers: .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 workshops ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Hip Hop Dance .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 AnanDao -‐ Martial Arts, Yoga, Inspiration & Energy ........................................................................................................................ 13 Bingoma -‐ African Drumming ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 RespAct project – Counteracting Cyberbullying in Schools ............................................................................................................ 14 Back to Grazing – a Horse Experience ..................................................................................................................................................... 15 Permaculture Gardening ............................................................................................................................................................................... 15 How to Change your World – AYUDH Project Management ......................................................................................................... 16 HOPE – Harps of Peace ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Vegan Raw Lifestyle ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Sensitive Balance ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 IAM Meditation for Youth (age 15 – 25) ................................................................................................................................................. 18 Photography and Graphic Design .............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Let’s Clown Together! ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Creating OdenWorld ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Thai Yoga Massage .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 ORGANIZATIONAL .................................................................................................................................. 21 youth under the age of 18 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 22 community service (“seva”) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22 helping hands ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 before the summit ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 after the summit ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 camping ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 participation fee ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 translation-‐sets ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 arranging your trip .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 A) travel by plane .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 24 B) travel by train ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 C) travel by car ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 timing of travel arrangements ................................................................................................................................................................... 25 safety ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 code of conduct ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28 pack-‐list ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 frequently asked questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 30 checklist ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 contact .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32 PROGRAMME summary We are very happy to invite you to the 11th European AYUDH Youth Initiative ‘Together We Can’ taking place from 12th – 19th July 2015 at M.A. Center Germany, near Frankfurt. Youth from 20 countries are expected to take part in yet another amazing AYUDH Youth Summit. The general theme of the initiative is how we can use the strength of community and collaboration to contribute to a more peaceful, happy and sustainable world. During the youth summit, talks will be held by Br. Shubamrita, Bri. Dipamrita, Lucia Rijker, Manish Pandey as well as other renowned personalities from the fields of science, politics, arts and personal development. One central element of the initiative will be the RespAct project to counteract cyber-bullying in schools. For this, AYUDH will collaborate with students of the Theodor Litt School in the nearby town Michelstadt. A huge event in the school on July 13th will kick-start the RespAct project, giving an opportunity for international youth to meet and exchange with local students. Jointly we will develop a strategy to raise awareness about the effects of bullying and work towards establishing a school culture of respect, tolerance and inclusion. Another highlight of the week will be the concert at the end of the week, displaying the creative talents of AYUDH and presenting the results of the RespAct project to the public. The show will include world music, dance and a special appearance of Dundu, the human giant. Dundu (www.dundu.eu) has been created by an internationally renowned group of artists who have performed across the world using the giant human marionette as a symbol of unity and equality of all human beings. A large variety of workshops will be offered: RespAct Project Development, AnanDao Wudang martial arts, Hip-Hop Dance, African Drumming, Photography and Graphic Design, Permaculture Gardening, Clowning, Thai Yoga Massage, Therapeutic Harp-playing, Vegan Raw Lifestyle, Self-awareness through interaction with horses, Sensitive Living, IAM Youth Meditation, Artwork and AYUDH Project Management. Apart from that there will be a sports tournament, a video-shoot, meditation and yoga sessions, singing, games and a big summer festival to conclude the week. If you register before July 1st the participation fee for the whole week is only €120 (afterwards €150). A limited number of youth can join the week as ‘helping hands’, doing four hours of community service per day and paying only half participation fee (€60 or €75 after July 1st). Register fast, since spaces are limited! Youth who still have school during the time of the camp can obtain a letter from us that certifies our initiative as a non-formal learning programme. With this letter you can ask permission of the school to take leave for the duration of the camp. The camp is open to youth between the ages of 15 and 30. Youth, as well as people over the age of 30, are welcome as volunteers to support the initiative. If interested, please contact [email protected] This year, there is no partial refund of travel costs. Therefore would be good to book your tickets as soon as possible to get a good deal. www.megabus.com has good deals from most European cities to Frankfurt/Darmstadt. In many countries, we will arrange cheap group travel to Germany, so please contact your national youth leader as soon as possible to find out which cheap means of transportation are available. List of contacts is at the end of this document. what is a youth initiative? The characteristics of a youth initiative are that the youth design a project that directly benefits society and that the participants will be very actively involved in all phases of the project – planning, preparation, implementation and spreading of results. Therefore, to participate in this initiative does not only mean to come for one week of fun and entertainment to M.A. Center Germany, but to become part of an international working group that thinks, plans and acts together even before and after the camp to create a long-lasting impact in society. who stands behind the initiative? “Together We Can” is organized by youth for youth. A team of AYUDH members from all over Europe has been working together since many months to prepare and create an exciting, enriching and entertaining programme that allows you to get engaged and involved, contribute with your talents, ideas, creativity and enthusiasm to this project. AYUDH (www.ayudh.eu) is an international youth movement, dedicated to empowering young people to become compassionate leaders in building a peaceful and more sustainable future. Our programmes help youth to express their creative potential, gain self-confidence and implement their own ideas for how to make the world a better place. AYUDH is part of Embracing the World® (www.embracingtheworld.org), a global network of charitable activties. AYUDH and Embracing the World have been inspired and founded by Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi), one of the world’s most renowned humanitarians and spiritual leaders of this time. Amma’s entire life has been dedicated to alleviating the pain of the poor and those suffering physically and emotionally. Amma inspires, uplifts and transforms through her physical embrace, her spiritual wisdom and her humanitarian activities. Her boundless love and compassion crosses all barriers of nationality, race and religion. When people ask Amma about her religion, she simply replies “my religion is Love.” Ø Watch “Embracing the World” – the movie documentary about Amma and her charitable work Ø http://vimeo.com/90720748 M.A. Center Germany – Seminarzentrum Hof Herrenberg e.V. is a non-profit Organization and the legal host and venue of the programme. (www.hof-herrenberg.de). The center is located in an area called Odenwald, about one hour from Frankfurt. It is a spiritual community dedicated to the values and teachings of Amma. The youth initiative is supported by the Sparkasse Odenwald Foundation. in focus: RespAct project with Lucia Rijker - an initiative against (cyber)bullying in schools We all like to post pictures, videos and comments of ourselves and others on social media. But quite easily, the line is crossed between fun and entertaining posts and those that can be disrespectful and hurtful to others. If repeated and spread to a larger audience, such posts are called cyberbullying. Statistics show that one out of three students in Europe has been a victim of cyberbullying, which can have long-lasting effects such as depression, anxiety and lower academic performance. Merely adopting strict rules and measurements in schools has a limited potential to improve the situation. What is required is a holistic approach involving students, teachers and parents to create a school climate of mutual respect, tolerance and inclusion. The RespAct project aims at supporting schools in creating this holistic strategy. Lucia Rijker, six-time world champion in (kick)boxing, has been working with AYUDH during the last year to develop the RespAct project. Drawing on her background of facilitating selfempowerment workshops with young people across the world, Lucia now plays a key-role in the AYUDH initiative. As part of ‘Together We Can’, AYUDH will work together with the Theodor-Litt-Schule in Michelstadt, a ‘middle-school’ close by M.A. Center Germany with 500 students from grades 5 10. For months prior to the Youth Summit, students and teachers will be conducting a survey in the school, asking feedback and suggestions from students and faculty to assess the situation. A large kick-off event with Lucia will take place on Monday 13th July, where all participants of ‘Together We Can’ will meet the 500 students. It is an opportunity for both sides to get to know each other, crossing barriers of language, culture and nationality. Together they will reflect upon the results of the school survey and come up with suggestions for improvement. The kick-off will be followed up by a dedicated workshop in the school, where 20 students will collaborate with 20 international AYUDH members to further explore the three key aspects of the RespAct project: ‘respect yourself’, ‘respect the other’ or ‘respect the community’. The collaborative sessions will be led and guided by Lucia Rijker, teachers from the school and an international team of AYUDH members who study and work in the field of education and psychology. As a result of the workshop it’s participants will come up with a student-led strategy for the school to be implemented in 2016 in order to nurture a positive school-culture of respect, awareness and empathy. Another goal of the workshop is to encourage a lasting connection between the students and AYUDH members, who can keep in touch over skype to further promote and develop the project. your RespAct presentation To ‘break the ice’ with the students during the ‘kickoff’ event in Michelstadt, each national AYUDH group will present a 2-minute scene to highlight one of the three aspects of the RespAct project: ‘respect yourself’, ‘respect the other’ or ‘respect the community’. These short presentations can include any creative elements that your country group is passionate about – acting, singing, video-art, beatboxing or acrobatics. The main objective is to give the students a positive message in relation to the project, in fun and creative ways. The scene will be prepared together in your country group on the first day of the Youth Summit. If you already have suggestions on how the presentation can be planned, please contact your country youth leader. OdenWorld – a cultural festival to conclude the week It has become a tradition to turn the last night of the AYUDH summit into a celebration of AYUDH's talents and creativity. This year, we want to take it one step further and invite the public to this event. During the last year, a new huge event hall has been built at M.A. Center and the AYUDH performance will be the first big event to open it’s doors to the public – a ‘trial run’ for Amma's program which is scheduled to take part later this year. The theme of the evening is aligned to the main topic of the week: Showing the strength of togetherness and community in creating something of impact and value, something unique and beautiful. We wish to cross the borders of cultures, musical styles and art-forms, displaying the variety of AYUDH talents as well as introducing local bands and performers. The title ‘OdenWorld” reflects this ambition: ‘Odenwald’ is the name of the region where the AYUDH summits have taken place during the past ten years. And literally – during the summit youth from across the world are guests in this region and enrich it with their dynamism, creativity and dedication to create a better world. They in turn take something back from the Odenwald to spread in their home country. Regional performers include the African drumming band ‘Bingoma’, the school-band of the TheodorLitt-Schule (our partner school for the RespAct project), the youth-brass band of Langenbrombach and local Hip-Hop dance group. A highlight of the show will certainly be the performance of ‘dundu’ , the ‘giants of light’, who will dance, interact and perform together with us. For the past eight months, AYUDH had made an online call to all youth out there to submit their talents. ‘OdenWorld’ will include the submissions we got – and we can promise you that it will for sure be a fun and spectacular night! And of course, it wouldn’t be AYUDH if not ALL youth participating in ‘Together We Can’ would get a chance to perform together. During the week we will rehearse a choreography for ‘One Heart’, our theme song 2015, which will be the final performance of the night. But don’t worry - it will be simple enough for all of us to learn, so whether you like it or not – we will surely get you to dance and shake it out. If you are too shy, just remember: together we can!! On top of that we will run our own drinks and food bar (all non-alcoholic and vegetarian) and merchandise stall for the event. The Vegan-Raw Lifestyle workshop will prepare delicious snacks and smoothies, and alcohol-free cocktails will be offered. The OdenWorld Art-Workshop will make sure we turn the event hall into a beautiful and unique atmosphere. ‘OdenWorld’ will also be the platform to present the results of the RespAct workshop to the public, and promote the values of respect, diversity and inclusion. As you can imagine, all of this will require quite some preparation work, so we will need lots of helping hands during the week to get things ready and running for the final show. If you like to get more involved in the festival preparation, please contact: [email protected] together for 2016 The best ideas are created together. For example, during an ‘Open Space’ session in 2013 some AYUDH members came up with the idea to visit the EU parliament on the occasion of our 10th anniversary. We thought this was crazy, but in the end, this is what happened, and it was pretty awesome. During ‘Together We Can’ we will facilitate another collaborative process by which we invite all of you to let us know what you feel are the most urgent problems and issues that young people face in todays world. Your ideas and feedback will be the base to find the theme for AYUDH in 2016, around which all our projects and the summit 2016 will be focused. sports-tournament Like in 2014, we will have an awesome Sportstournament where you get to try out different and new sports styles. Fun for sure!! getting ready for the day We all know how hard it is to get out of bed in the morning. AYUDH will make it more fun for you! Every morning we offer a variety of activities that get you ready for the day. Yoga, meditation, Qui-Gong or running can give you a boost of energy and a focused mind to make the most of your day at AYUDH. music-video shooting Like every year we will spend some time shooting a music video to a new AYUDH song. Our song for 2015 is called ‘One Heart’. This year, its gonna be a big party to shoot at night, with the glowing ‘dundu’ doll and lots of special effects. One part of the shooting will have a focus on different dance styles. So if you want to get out there and be part of that aspect – please let us know. By the way: students from the Theodor-Litt-Schule will also join us for the shooting. They can't wait to be a part of the AYUDH music video history ;-) please be aware… The goal of this youth initiative is to provide an environment that helps youth to grow on a personal and spiritual level. This is why alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited at our event. There are many opportunities for participants to celebrate and have fun during the week – but without intoxicants. In respect of the spiritual background of M.A. Center Germany we expect participants to adhere to a certain code of conduct (at the end of this document). This also includes to dress in a modest way – means that more parts of our bodies should be covered than uncovered J speakers: As every year amazing speakers will share with us their vision and experience on the topic “Together We Can”, and give us the chance to ask questions. br. shubamrita, monk, meditation teacher (india) bri. dipamrita, leader of the ngo ‘embracing the world – france’ (france) manish pandey, actor and director (UK) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3419321/ lucia rijker, sports legend, actress (USA/netherlands) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucia_Rijker workshops The workshops will give you an opportunity to go deeper into the topic of the week ‘Together We Can.’ According to your talents, skills and interests, you can attend one workshop for the duration of the full week. This year, students from the Theodor-Litt-School Michelstadt will also join us in some workshops. And here goes the list: Hip Hop Dance Summary: In this workshop, you will be introduced to Hip hop culture, rhythm and dance moves. We will learn how to battle each other with respect, develop some moves and – altogether – create a free choreography with the potential to break all boundaries. We will learn to feel Hip hop as a culture that uses music to gather people together. Workshop leader: Laura, Spain I have been dancing for more than 10 years; I am specialized in Hip hop but love any kind of dancing. Choreographing has always interested me. I am working at the moment to expand my love for Hip hop and urban culture through the great music of Lockin, Popping and House. AnanDao - Martial Arts, Yoga, Inspiration & Energy Summary: When body and mind work together, you will be able to achieve great things. If you are physically strong but your mind is half asleep, or physically weak and simultaneously very alert, you are not at the top of your game. With Martial Arts Training you will strengthen your body, make your heart still and transform your mind into a light, free butterfly. Workshop Leader: Ralf Shifu (Germany) My name is Shifu Ralf ZiXü and I have been practicing Daoist Arts like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yong Chuan and Meditation for more than 25 Years. In Mount Wudang, China, I found my Master Yuan Xiu Gang and an intense way of inner healing and development. I'm truly fascinated about what Martial Arts offers to this day. I'm very happy to offer this workshop to so many young people so that we can enjoy this way together. In that way I follow a long tradition and the wish of my Master. I will be joined by my wife Noa Vrinda Devi. Bingoma - African Drumming Summary: In this workshop you will be able to experience a polyrhythmic feeling, which is the heart of the Malinke Music (from Guinea). This includes 3 bass-drums, hand-drums, clavé and shekeré. You will be able to explore all the different instruments and bring your soul to our African roots. The goal is learning and playing 1 or 2 traditional rhythms of the Malinke People. First we will work on the basics and if we work together with awareness, we will be able to make music together! Maybe we can even bring it to the stage! Workshop leaders: Bingoma, Germany Peter, Max and myself are part of the music group ‘Bingoma.’ Hof Herrenberg is our base, where we practice every Monday. We feel so connected to AYUDH, because we have played several concerts for you. We enjoyed your positive energy so much, that we want to share music with you again - this time adding the new component of creating music with you in the workshop training. RespAct project – Counteracting Cyberbullying in Schools In collaboration with the Theodor Litt School and Lucia Rijker Summary: In the RespAct workshop, 20 international participants of ‘Together We Can’ are invited to work together with 20 students from the Theodor Litt Schule in Michelstadt to reflect on the issue of cyberbullying and find solutions that can be implemented in the school in the long run. The workshop will take place in the school and provide a unique opportunity for intercultural exchange, collaboration and an innovative approach to create a school climate of respect, tolerance and inclusion. Workshop leaders: Interactive sessions and group work will be led by Lucia Rijker, teachers of the school and a team of AYUDH members who study or work in the field of education, social work or psychology. Back to Grazing – a Horse Experience Summary: Horses are always in the present moment - they are giving and free of any expectations. They reflect our feelings and reveal our masks. In this workshop, we will teach you the basics of horse training, from looking under their hooves to the top of their backs. You will be able to feel a horse and work with him, and maybe to understand the treasure of this practice when individuality disappears and both man and animal are one together. Workshop leaders: Heike Neder (Germany) Doris Flascher (Germany) Juris Bormanis (Latvia) Flavia Pinto (Portugal) Kerstin Lubjung (Germany) This year, the Stables Team of Hof Herrenberg Stables joined together in order to provide a more practical workshop with horses and simultaneously allow each of you to deepen your experience and develop your individualized relation with our hooved friends. Having gone through very different equine paths and life experiences, all of us share a genuine love for horses. Gathered together by Heike Neder, we work in developing a space where horses can feel good and free. Permaculture Gardening Summary: In this workshop we will create a beautiful and unique garden TOGETHER. We will need your creativity and hands in order to set up a garden that not only produces food for us human beings, but that also provides a home for animals while being visually appealing, easily maintained and free of any synthetic pesticides and fertilizer. Workshop leaders: Eric, Germany, Nico Gemio, Spain We are Nico and Eric and we love to garden in a way that is respectful to the environment (including humans). We work to create beautiful places where people feel at home and nature is healthy. We have been developing Hof Herrenberg’s garden since 2014 and we're looking forward to teach you some of what we've learned so far, while learning from your ideas and perspectives as well. How to Change your World – AYUDH Project Management Summary: Do you have an idea that can change the world? Something that can change your community, your environment, your life and the lives of those around you? Everything starts with an idea. In this workshop, we will teach you how to bring these ideas from your head and let it fly out to the world. We’ll help to make it happen. We will teach you the skills you need to succeed as an innovator and a vehicle of change. From art projects to parades, from street-feasts to statistics, from gardens to governments - let's see how we can make a difference. Workshop leader: Eoin, Ireland Creating change is a lot of fun. Having an idea and watching it grow and blossom is a magical experience. I've learned lots on this rollercoaster ride of life. I'm happy to share my experiences and through this workshop see together how we can see your ideas grow and blossom. HOPE – Harps of Peace Summary: By playing together in harmony and creating a space where we share the magic of music, we can make a difference in the lives of many in the world. So join us for our third year of the AYUDH HOPE-Harps Of Peace workshop and learn how to create healing music on the harp and share this vision of healing through sound. The small harp is one of the easiest instruments to learn and in only four days you will be able to play some Bhajans, as well as songs of Love and Healing. Throughout the week we will introduce you to this instrument, and later you will be able to apply to take it home with you, have regular Skype classes and commit to keep developing and sharing this healing music throughout the year. Workshop leader: Christina Tourin, USA Christina Tourin is a second-generation harpist having started playing at the age of 4. She studied at the Mozarteum and McGill Universities. She is the founder of the International Harp Therapy Program and Rainbow of Sound programs worldwide. You will be in good hands learning from Christina as she is known as the one of the leading educators in learning how to play the harp. See PlayHarp.com for more information. Vegan Raw Lifestyle Summary: Are you familiar with this situation: You go to your favourite coffee bar and suddenly find the window display full of yellow smoothies, red muffins and green cakes? No wonder – vegan raw food has lately become a real hype around the world and has established itself as a widely acknowledged healthy and popular alternative diet. This workshop will introduce you to the world of zucchini spaghetti and herbal energy-boosters. In short, you will learn what a vegan raw diet is all about. We will go out into the wild, collect herbs from the area and prepare delicious and complete meals, snacks and drinks. Workshop leader: Astrid, Germany The need for more energy and a better awareness of life were the reasons that led me to change my diet into a raw food one two years ago. I have been having a wonderful experience since then, which I am very happy to now be able to share with you. I am also a qualified raw food coach. Sensitive Balance Summary: Research shows that 1 out of 5 (15-20%) of all men and women in every population are born with a more sensitive nervous system. They may be more vulnerable to stress, easily feeling overwhelmed by loud noise, conflicts, war, life changes, perhaps more affected by complex and chaotic situations. On one hand you may be gifted with empathy, creativity, intelligence, intuition and imagination, but on the other hand you may be more tired after school, studies, work or social activities. You may be introverted and some people may think you are quite sensitive. This workshop will help you to understand and work to your advantages - be more friendly to yourself, avoid overstimulation and create more inner balance and peace in your life. Workshop leader: Martin, Denmark Since 2002 my wife and I have a private psychotherapeutic practice specialized in helping Highly Sensitive Persons finding their ways to create more balance in their lives, jobs and relationships. IAM Meditation for Youth (age 15 – 25) Summary: "The remote control of our mind should rest firmly in the palm of our hand." Amma You will learn the Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique® for youth, a simple combination of yoga and meditation that takes just 20 minutes a day. With regular practice, the IAM-Technique® benefits you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually with simple, safe breath-focuses exercises and visualizations. This technique is very helpful to reveal our full potential. Workshop leader: Satyaja, Germany I have been teaching meditation and yoga since eight years. Every month I also teach a group of youth in a prison in Düsseldorf, Germany. Seeing the impact and change that this meditation technique has had on these young people has really reinforced my convition that meditation can be a tremendous tool in personal empowerment and transformation. My professional background is as an artist and journalist. I graduated with Diploma from artschool Düsseldorf and have had several international exhibitions. Photography and Graphic Design Summary: The eyes are one of humans’ main tools to decipher and interpret the world. A strong image is one of the most powerful means we can find of communicating a message. In this workshop, we will start by exploring the visual and artistic opportunities that photography has to offer, as well as developing our Photoshop skills to edit and refine the images. We will also introduce typography into our illustrations in order to spread Amma’s message of peace and compassion. Workshop leaders: Photography: Aleksi Vishvanath, Finland Aleksi works as a freelance photographer, journalist and editor. His images are breathtaking compositions of people, places, stories. Check out his website: http://www.aleksilausti.com Graphic Design: Mimi, Austria Mimi is a graphic designer and has collaborated with AYUDH for many projects. She has a passion for working with youth and empowering them to express their own creativity. http://www.seelosdesign.at Let’s Clown Together! Summary: ‘Clowning is about the freedom that comes from a state of total, unconditional acceptance of our most authentic selves. It teaches us how to respect our doubts and fears, and opens the door to joy,’ (Jan Henderson). Clowning is something we do not need to learn. We are all already clowns. ‘Our’ clown is somewhere, inside us, waiting to play and make fun…of everything, including all our emotions – whether we call them ‘good’ or ‘bad’. During this workshop we will explore curiosity, playfulness & creativity. We will focus on a wonderful state of Joy and Truth through warm up exercises, individual and collective games, improvisations and other surprises. Workshop leaders: Gati and Chaitanya, Belgium Gati and Chaitanya are two Belgian people who met by chance three years ago on Amma’s tour. Psychologist Gati studied theatre in Brussels and currently lives in Amritapuri, India. She is mostly involved in clowning in Embracing the World’s hospital ‘Amrita Institute of Medical Science’ (AIMS), as a relational clown with kids of Kerala where her heart is filled with joy and love. Impassioned by human relations, cooperation and sharing of joy, Chaitanya studied NLP (NeuroLinguistic Programming) and started clowning after years of theatrical improvisation and interactive singing seva with elderly people. In 2014, she graduated as a ‘Relational-Clown Practitioner’ in Gestalt Therapy. Creating OdenWorld Summary: OdenWorld is our 2015 Performance, a big festival of music, dance and magic. In order to make it as special as possible, we want a to create a beautiful ambience which can be experienced as soon as one enters the hall. For this purpose, we will create a team of artists who will work during the week in transforming and customizing space. So, get creative and come up with a unique decoration for the hall and entrance foyer, as well as our food and merchandise stalls. Your ideas will make the difference! Workshop leaders: a team of artists and graphic designers who bring their professional experience towards working on exhibitions, advertisement and marketing projects across Europe. Thai Yoga Massage Summary: Thai Massage is an active technique of meditation, which allows us to develop the art of listening to ourselves and others, as well as freeing our blockages through stretching, direction of energies and a conscious breath. It is a preventive form of healthcare, as well as an auto-regenerative technique. In this workshop, you will be able to discover and explore this ancestral art, which has its ancient roots in both the traditions of Ayurvedic medicine and the Indian Yogic philosophy. You will learn some basic techniques on how to offer some care to yourself, as well as to others. Workshop Leader: Adarsh, Belgium Massage is like music to me – one enters into resonance; it is a combination of listening to the rhythm, dance, fluidity and movement. I am a musician, as well as a practitioner of Thai Massage, Shiatsu and other healing body techniques, as Osteo-Thai and meditation-relaxation therapy. I have been shaping my own practice after years of travelling across Thailand, India, Japan and Canada. Amma brought me also to this path of acknowledging myself and the others. I am thankful I can now share these tools, which allow us to connect with our inner self, as well as to deepen the communication with the world around us. ORGANIZATIONAL youth under the age of 18 As per the German Law, your parents will need to fill in and sign a letter before we can accept you for participation at the Youth Summit. If you are under the age of 18, please get in touch with your Country Youth Leader, writing a quick email to state your interest in coming to AYUDH. The list of contacts is at the end of this document. community service (“seva”) The functioning of the youth summit is only possible if everybody helps in the community service. Upon your arrival you will be assigned a task that you will do throughout the week, like vegetable chopping, serving meals, etc. helping hands If you commit to do community service for 4 hours every day you can participate in the camp for half of the participation fee (60 Euro before July 1st, afterwards 75 Euro). If you are interested, simply fill in the corresponding section in the online registration form. We are looking forward to your help! before the summit As every year, there will be a lot of help needed before the camp to complete all the work. If you like to come already on July 7th to help with the preparations, please contact [email protected]. We can only accommodate a limited number of people, so please check with us before you book your flight. after the summit Everyone is invited to stay and help for one or two extra days after the camp and leave only on Monday, 20st or Tuesday, 21nd July 2015. The stay during those two days will be free of charge. Your help is greatly appreciated! For staying one or two days longer you don’t need to contact the seva team – just book your flight that way. camping Only youth over 18 are allowed to camp during the retreat. Boys and girls can not share the same tent. If you like to camp, please bring a tent along with you. M.A. Center Germany has very comfortable shower and bathroom facilities for campers. participation fee The participation fee for the full week is only 120 Euro if you complete your registration before July 1st. Afterwards it is 150 Euro, so please register fast! If you commit to do 4 hours of community service per day the participation fee is only half (see ‘helping hands’ above). We are able to offer the camp for such a good price due to the co-funding of the EU and the voluntary help of so many people who offer their work free of charge. This is an amazing example of selfless giving and we want to thank all those people for their generous support of our initiative! The participation fee needs to be paid upon arrival in cash at the Welcome Desk. translation-sets Like every year, a Swiss company, KTR Kongresstechik, is lending us equipment to enable simultanious translation. This enables all of you who need translation into French, German, Italian or Spanish to wear a wireless headset and listen simultaniously to the translation of the talks. NEW! This equipment is extremely sensitive and valuable. Therefore, everyone who wishes to use a translation set will be asked to make a DEPOSIT for it this year. You can indicate at the onlineregistration form if you need this kind of translation set, and you will be asked to make the deposit of 50 Euro upon arrival. Of course you will be given back the money at the end of the summit if you return the headset in perfect condition. At this point also a big thank you to Beatrice Rychener from KTR Kongresstechik for her trust and generosity to lend us this equipment year after year. arranging your trip This year, there is no partial refund of travel costs. Therefore would be good to book your tickets as soon as possible to get a good deal. In many countries, we will arrange cheap group travel to Germany, so please contact your national youth leader as soon as possible to find out which cheap means of transportation are available. List of contacts is below. A) travel by plane FRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Trip from airport to M.A. Center Germany takes around 2 hours. You have 2 options: 1.) By Bus to Darmstadt and Train to Bad König • By bus (AirLiner) to Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof (Main Station); departure every 30 minutes from: Terminal 1: arrival area B, bus station 14 or Terminal 2: arrival area D and E, exit H Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/nenbv8k (scroll down to find the schedule) • From Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof (main station) by train to Bad König. Schedule: www.bahn.de Select your language in the top left corner. • We will pick you up from Bad Koenig train station. 2.) By Train to Bad König • • • By train, in Terminal 1, find Area B, on Ground 0, Book your train ticket to Bad König either from an automated service or better from the counter where you will be able to get a print out of your trip including the changeovers. You may either have to change trains in Frankfurt Main Station, Hanau or Darmstadt. We will pick you up from Bad König train station FRANKFURT- HAHN AIRPORT Trip from Frankfurt-Hahn airport to M.A. Center Germany takes around 4 hours By bus to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) and by train Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof to Bad König: • • The bus departs from Frankfurt-Hahn Airport: in front of Terminal A Tickets to Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof available from the driver on the bus or the ticket shop in front of terminal A Schedule: http://tinyurl.com/os3z86b • From Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof (Main station) by train to Bad Koenig, takes one hour. Schedule: www.bahn.de Select your language in the top left corner. • We will pick you up from Bad König train station For you information, a bus ticket from Frankfurt Hahn to Frankfurt Main Station should cost you € 14. The train ticket from Frankfurt Main Station to Bad Koenig should cost you € 11. These prices may be subject to slight variation (as of May 2013). B) travel by train • • • • • If you want to book a train ticket in advance in your country, you will probably not find the destination “Bad Koenig”, so please book to “Darmstadt” instead. At Darmstadt train station you can book the remaining ticket to “Bad Koenig”. You can book this ticket at the green ticket machine “RMV”. First press number 43 and then “Einzelfahrt”. To find out the train schedule from Darmstadt (main station) to Bad Koenig, please visit: www.bahn.de Select your language in the top left corner We will pick you up from Bad Koenig train station C) travel by car Please use an online routing program like www.googlemaps.com This is the address: M.A. Center Germany Seminarzentrum Hof Herrenberg e.V. Hof Herrenberg 1 | 64753 Brombachtal | GERMANY Phone: +49 6063 579933 timing of travel arrangements Participate in the Youth Summit is possible only if you stay for the full duration of the camp. You should arrive on Saturday, 11th July 2015 or Friday, 10th July AFTERNOON/EVENING. Please do not come before Friday, 10th July, unless you have communicated with [email protected] and they have confirmed that you can come earlier to help set-up. Please also note that the last train connection from Frankfurt Main Airport departs at 22:00, from Frankfurt Hahn at 20:30. Transportation cannot be arranged for you after that. Departure: We would like all participants to stay until the very end of the youth exchange. We understand that in some cases it might be difficult to arrange travel, but please plan your departure from M.A. Center after 13:00 on Sunday, July 19th 2015. This means earliest departure: • • • • By flight: Frankfurt Main at 16:30 By flight: Frankfurt Hahn at 18:00 By train: Darmstadt at 14:30 By train: Bad Koenig at 13:30 As mentioned before, it would be great if many of you can stay for two more extra days to help with the cleanup. Eco-Note: We wish to minimize the impact that we have on the environment through our youth exchange. We therefore encourage you to inquire about eco-friendly ways of transportation, like coaches or trains to reach M.A. Center Germany. safety In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, M.A. Center Germany has created the following policies: What we provide: • • • • Participants can turn to their country youth leader at any time during the exchange if they should feel unhappy or have any problems. There will also be a Help-desk, which participants can turn to A feedback box is in place, allowing anonymous feedback Regular feedback sessions with the country youth leaders ensure that the participants can express their needs and problems during the exchange Youth leaders will be accommodated in the same houses as participants What we expect: • • • • All participants to act responsibly and follow the code of conduct outlined below at all times Participants need to arrange their own insurance, valid in Germany, which covers medical assistance (including after care), accident and serious illness (including permanent or temporary incapacity), permanent disability, death and repatriation in case of serious illness, accident or death, civil liability, the loss of identification and travel documents and damage or loss of luggage We strongly recommend that participants acquire the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This is a free insurance plan which is given by your insurance company. For safety reasons all participants are requested to carry their insurance card with them at all times during their stay at M.A. Center Germany Please be aware that the Odenwald, the area where M.A. Center Germany is located, has ticks that may carry infectious diseases. Please be careful when working in the gardens and grass, use tick spray, check your body regularly for ticks and take a shower every day. code of conduct 1. Behaviour: • Be respectful of yourself and others, regardless of their gender, nationality, social background and sexual orientation • Attendees are responsible for their own personal safety and the safety of others 2. Attendance: • All activities have to be attended, unless they are marked “optional” • The general bedtime is 23:00 and has to be respected by participants of all ages 3. Accommodation: • • • Please sleep in the room assigned - if you have a problem bring it to a youth leader Males and Females are to be in separate bedrooms, intimacy is not permitted during the camp Camping is only permitted for youth over the age of 18, boys and girls not sharing the same tent 4. Leaving the camp site: • • • Youth under the age of 18 need to go in a group of at least three people (according to German law!) You must notify the information desk before leaving, and after returning back to the venue. Stay on site during regular activity times and after 6pm 5. Health: • • • Alcohol and drugs in any form are strictly prohibited during the whole stay Not respecting this guideline will lead to expulsion Smoking is permitted only in designated and clearly signed areas 6. M.A. Center: • • M.A. Center Germany is an ecological demonstration site – please use the facilities with respect for the environment The horse stables can not be entered, unless permission is granted pack-list FOR SLEEPING • Sleeping bag and pillow • Sheets to cover the mattress and pillow-covers (in exceptional cases this can also be borrowed from the M.A. Center for €5) CLOTHING • Sturdy shoes, sneakers, slippers • Combined clothing for warm and cold weather, enough for 7 days. Please dress modestly • Swimming dress (there is a swimming pond at M.A Center Germany) • When packing clothes, please also be aware that some physically active workshops might require you to change clothes afterwards. • A pair of blue jeans for the show on 18th July • Comfortable, loose clothes for yoga & meditation • Sports clothes and shoes, if you like to take part in the tournament • Rain jacket and sun protection (Hat) HYGIENE • Personal Hygiene items • Towels MEDICAL • You are obliged to bring all necessary medication with you, as indicated by the doctor. If you do have bee/wasp sting allergy you are requested to bring two emergency kits with you. Youth under the age of 18 need to hand over their medicine to the responsible person at M.A. Center upon arrival, including a written note by their doctor indicating how the medicine needs to be taken. This person will keep the medicine safe and provide them to you in accordance with the doctors instructions • If you have severe allergies or dietary restrictions please make arrangements to bring what you may require for your diet • Spray against ticks DOCUMENTS • Passport (plus one copy, to be kept separately from the original passport) • Insurance card OTHER • Torch • Sun lotion, insect repellent • Paper & Pen • Pocket Money for snacks at the kiosk and the shop • Refillable water bottle frequently asked questions Q: Which language is used most commonly during the youth exchange? A: All talks and workshops will be conducted in English. During the talks we provide simultaneous translation into Spanish, French, Italian and German. Q: What if I don’t want to participate in a particular activity? A: All young people must participate in all activities. The AYUDH Summit is committed to the development of the participant’s life skills through group activities and exposure to diverse educational experiences. Q: Can I be together with my friends in the same workshop / group? A: During certain times you will be together with the youth coming from your country. During workshop times you will be part of a mixed group with youth of all ages, from different countries. We encourage the cross-country mix of youth in order to create a platform for intercultural exchange. Q: Who is Amma and how is this youth exchange related to her? A: M.A. Center Germany is inspired by the teachings of Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi), one of the most respected humanitarians and spiritual leaders of this time. Participants do not necessarily need to have met or know Amma. However, during some talks and workshops, Amma’s teachings might be mentioned. Spiritual practices like meditation, yoga and chanting will be offered on a voluntary basis. We hope that participants will feel comfortable with the spiritual background of the youth initiative. Q: What Will Happen When You Arrive? • • • • You will be welcomed at our check-in desk You may need to provide any information on yourself missing from our records and sign the participants list You will be allocated with a community service for which you will be responsible throughout the week You will be shown your room or camp site checklist • • • • • • • • Do I know the address and contact number of where I am going? Have my parents been given this information? Do I have a valid passport (and visa, if required) and photocopies of these with me? Do I have any medicines that I may need for the duration of my stay with me? For youth under 18, who need to take prescribed medicines: Do I have a written note by my doctor, indicating how the medicines need to be taken? Do I have sufficient insurance for my stay in Germany and do I have my insurance card(s) with me? Do I know who I will be able to talk to if I am worried or unhappy about anything when I am on my trip? Am I ready for my trip? (or do I have any questions, worries or concerns to clarify before I leave?) We are looking forward to welcome you soon at M.A. Center Germany! contact Country Germany Denmark Austria Switzerland Finland France Greece Spain Portugal UK Ireland Belgium Netherlands Italy Slovenia All other countries Email [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] M.A. Center Germany – Seminarzentrum Hof Herrenberg e.V. Hof Herrenberg 1 64753 Brombachtal GERMANY Phone: +49 6063 579933 / Fax: +49 6063 579953 www.ayudh.eu / [email protected] Aum Amriteshwaryai Namah