YOUTHPASS COMPETENCES

1. COMMUNICATION IN MOTHER TONGUE

Some of the participants state that the youth exchange “Painting Human Rights” helped
them learn to better communicate with people and lose some fear when speaking in public.
More in general, mother tongues were used to express complex thoughts and feelings, to
discover similarities among the languages represented in the project (factor that helped
intercomprehension and overcoming communication challenges), as well as peculiarities of
each one of them.

2. COMMUNICATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The project was very linguistically diverse and the participants had quite different levels of
English. This required flexibility, adaptation and a particular effort in translation in order to
include everyone. However, translation was not always an option, especially in informal
conversations; this proved that speaking the same language is not indispensable in order to
communicate if there is the genuine will to do so.
Some of the participants spoke more than one of the languages of the project and very often
helped in the translation. They argue this experience was interesting and enriching, when it
comes to the use of different languages.
All of the participants, however, improved their knowledge and use of English, especially
with regard to specific vocabulary related to human rights. They also learned words and
expressions in other languages.

3. MATHEMATICAL COMPETENCE AND BASIC COMPETENCE IN SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

The participants developed the mathematical competence especially with regard to

calculation and control of their expenses while living ten days away from home and, for most
of them, in a foreign country.
In addition, during some of the sessions, charts and graphics were shown.
The participants had also the possibility to develop competences related to science while
trying to be as sustainable as possible: they did recycling, used organic dishes, cups and
cutlery, gave the remaining food to those who needed it in Rubì. Moreover, one of the
activities of the project was to collect garbage from the wood of Rubì, raising awareness
about the environmental situation of our countries and how to have a positive impact on it.
As this type of projects requires a great amount of flexibility, adaptation, organization and
problem solving skills, some participants feel they have developed those competences as
well.
4. DIGITAL COMPETENCE

Each one of the groups used digital tools (videos, Powerpoint presentations,Internet) in
order to present and share aspects of their countries and cultures. In the specific, they
named the use of programs such as Windows Movie Maker, Prezi and Powerpoint.
Two participants volunteered to be part of the communication team of the project,
documenting the activities carried on and posting information and news on social medias.
They mainly used their mobile phones to do so.
One of the sessions was dedicated to the role of the medias in delivering information to the
general public and on the importance of the way they do so.

5. LEARNING TO LEARN

All of the activities revolved around learning and non-formal education. Spending time in
groups and carrying on activities that promote discussion and reflection turned out to be a
successful way of learning for all of the participants. They experienced getting out of their
comfort zone and opening their minds to different cultures, life experiences, fears and hopes.
The participants acquired new knowledge regarding human rights and non-formal education.

6. SOCIAL AND CIVIC COMPETENCES

Although the participants came from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain/Catalonia, many more
nationalities were represented: El Salvador, Morocco, Perù, Romania, United Kingdom.
They learned to cope with differences, through mutual respect and tolerance.
They learned to adapt and to manage schedules, mealtimes and activities, sharing common
spaces with people from different backgrounds and, therefore, different habits.
By meeting, getting to know and living with other people, the participants had also the
possibility to learn a lot about themselves.
They learned to face and transform conflicts through dialogue and that differences do not
mean much if people have the same goal.
Discussing about human rights inspired them to incorporate the change they want to see in
society in their daily life.
They learned to work as a team, being always inclusive; they learned that giving and
receiving help makes you feel part of a bigger reality.
Local participants had also the opportunity to learn about organizations and initiatives which
they were not aware of and that are taking place in their territory.

7. SENSE OF INITIATIVE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The participants feel they learned to be more creative and innovative. The youth exchange
helped them straighten their beliefs and finding ways to turn them into actions. They learned
the importance of not being afraid to express their thoughts, take risks and get out of their
comfort zone.
They learned that every member of the group is equally important and that expressing ideas
can give a great input to the entire group. Said so, sometimes it wasdifficult for the whole
group to find an agreement; in order to face this type of situations, they learned also to
sacrifice something for the good of the group.
8. CULTURAL AWARENESS AND EXPRESSION

The youth exchange made the participants more aware of different cultural contexts. They
learned to share and receive from one another, regardless their origins; some of them state
that after this experience they feel “citizens of the world” more than any country. ”...we are all
human beings who live on the same planet and who should love and help each other! It is
unacceptable to think that another human being does not deserve our help and compassion
only because she/he is some borders...away from us. We all win, learn and become more
complete through multiculturalism”.
By being in contact with other cultures,the participants were able to compare them, learn a
lot about other cultures and about their own as well.
The participants learned new forms of expression: through music, literature and art in
general, appreciating the inclusive factor of those forms of communication. The final action
of the youth exchange consisted in painting a graffiti inspired by human rights, with the
purpose of living a positive message to the city of Rubì and to the world, and its creative
presentation to the local institutions, which was made by singing a song (Imagine by John
Lennon). After a complex democratic process, the participants decided that the phrase they
wanted to paint was “Let love be the change”.

9. OTHER SPECIFIC SKILLS

Some participants were able to play guitar, so they used music to integrate in the group,
create cohesion and present the project to the institutions.
The participants feel they grew as individuals.
One participant was greatly interested to the Disney’s Creative Strategy.