Our Goal
To contribute to the development of values-based non-formal education for the XXI century and foster debates and changes within values-based organizations, and especially youth movements, in order to meet the needs and aspirations of young people in a better way and offer them motivation and tools to act as real agents of change for a better world: one based on social justice and Peace.
Our Driving Force
Universal values and human rights translated into the practice of active, responsible citizenship at local and global level, through learning by doing, peer education, gender equality, intercultural learning, self-education, youth empowerment, service and social engagement.
Our Purpose
Supporting young people in initiating and managing social change projects at the level of local communities with reference to global issues; developing an international environment of exchange and learning focused on education, social commitment and values-based organizations, in order to equip young people with the needed attitudes and skills to become agents of social change at local, national and global levels.
Why Indaba ?
An indaba is an important conference held by the izinDuna (principal men) of the Zulu and Xhosa peoples of South Africa. Such indabas may include only the izinDuna of a particular community or may be held with representatives of other communities. The term comes from a Zulu language word, meaning “business” or “matter”. The term has also found widespread use throughout Southern Africa and often simply means gathering or meeting. (Wikipedia)
In its original meaning it refers to gatherings that would also bring together members of different communities. We chose it to symbolize the mutual enriching cross-fertilization between researchers, youth-workers, educationalist and others involved in non-formal education experiences in terms of ideas, values and organisational settings.
Our logo
The logo we chose, the “Square knot”, also symbolizes encounter, friendship, union. The colours of the rainbow symbolize tolerance and peace.
The tools we offer
1. World Citizens - an educational programme for young people including the following elements:
- Personal project - How to look at one's future, identify one's strengths and weaknesses, define one's personal development objectives, prepre and evaluate a personal project? /Projet personnel
- Teams and networks: How to form a team with friends? How to set up and plan a common project? How to join or build a network in order to find support?
- Fields of experience: What are the main fields we should explore today in order to get better prepared and play an creative role in social life? What projects, what activities should we develop individually or collectively in these fields of experience?
2. The Magazine : Regular articles on the three main themes of Indaba-Network (Education, Social Commitment and values-based Organizations) and reports on projects developed by young people.
3. The Toolbox: dozens of handouts - documentation papers, tests, learning activities to support young people in developing their projects.
4. Indaba-Academia : Indaba-network ACADEMIA is a space dedicated to:
- Indaba-network's research and development of learning/teaching materials only open to the members of Indaba-Network
- E-learning activites (workshops, seminars, courses, etc.) open to everybody
Working language
The Indaba-network website will include several language sections: English and French in a first step and then also Spanish and Italian. Research and training activities on Indaba-Network will mainly be developed in English, but some workshops will be proposed in other languages also.
The promoters
- Eduardo Missoni, medical doctor, teaches “Ethics and International Organisations” at the University of Geneva (IOMBA), and Global Health and subjects related to Governance and Management of Development Cooperation in Milan (Bocconi University and Bicocca University). Former Secretary General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM).
- Dominique Bénard, psychologist, specialized in educational and professional guidance, former Deputy Secretary of WOSM and Executive Director, Educational Methods, at the World Scout Bureau.
- Michel Seyrat, teacher, journalist and former Deputy Executive Commissioner of Scouts de France. Michel has written several programmes and books for children, adolescents and young adults.
- Lara Paoletti, expert in Development Education, Co-operation and International Solidarity. She works for development NGOs, specially at European level, in the fields of advocacy and training (youth education, intercultural learning, human rights, food safety, project management and fund raising).