A STEP TOWARDS DISCOVERY

INFO PACK

E.V.S.IN SAINT QUENTIN (France)

ABOUT US

FDMJC Aisne is a NGO/Association that gather Youth Club in the northern part of France.

These Youth Club are named « MJC » for « Maisons des Jeunes et de la Culture » (Houses for

Youth and Culture).

“MJC” promote non-formal education and are actively involved in the field of

youth, culture, sports, active citizenship, fight against discrimination and much

more.

MJC has a national “declaration of principles” which states that their aims are:

To allow access for all to education and culture / To build a more inclusive

society / to encourage sense of responsibility and citizenship practices / to

promote the transfer of knowledge / to encourage cultural expressions and practices / to be

open to all without discrimination / to be respectful of personal beliefs / to prohibit all ties

with a political party, trade/labor union or a confession.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

"A step towards discovery" (ASTM) is a mobility of individuals project within the framework of

the activities of the European Voluntary Service. The project begins on 1rst of January 2017

and will last 10 months. The project has two activities.

The hosting of 2 young volunteers (Spanish and Latvian)

on the City of St Quentin (Aisne - Haut de France) from

the 1rst of February to the 31 of July 2018 (6 months)

and an advanced planning visit (January 2018). The

project is carried out by the "Fédération des MJC de

l'Aisne" (FDMJC02), which is also the Europe Direct

Information Center.

The FDMJC02 will act as coordinating and hosting

organization. The FDMJC02 has built a partnership with

Intercambia (Malaga - ES) and World Our Home

(Rezekne - LV). The 2 partner organizations have a solid experience of sending young people

on EVS. They send dozens of them every year across Europe and are recognized (by the

authorities) and identified (audiences) at local and national level.

The young volunteers will act in the schools and social centers of the city of St Quentin in

order to promote international mobility. They will

conduct intercultural workshops and contribute to the

activities. They will facilitate and lead intercultural and

linguistic workshop. They will also realize a "city guide" (in

order to promote the international mobility) with other

volunteers. Indeed, the city of St Quentin ranks 18th in

the cities with the highest poverty rate and more than

47% of the under-25s are unemployed. In this context, it

is essential to support and promote mobility.

The main task of the young volunteers will be to promote international mobility and the

various existing program to target audiences (schoolchildren, young people ...) but also to

prescribers. In a context of impoverishment, these populations encounter many difficulties

and many obstacles to move towards international mobility. They encounter many obstacles

(technical, financial, psychological ...). However, this type of activity seems likely to enrich

career paths, both individually and professionally.

Volunteers, through their actions, commitment and presence, will help to lift its barriers. The

main expected impacts on the territory are the involvement of young people and local actors

in international mobility projects. It is also expected that there will be a strong awareness of

the benefits of international mobility by all the players in the territory.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Title of the project : A step toward discovery

Type of activity : Key Action 1 - Learning Mobility of Individuals, European Voluntary Service

Place : Saint Quentin (France) 160 km from Paris / 110 km from Lille / 180 from Brussels

Duration : 6 months from 1rst of February to 31th of July 2018

Activity : The volunteers will intervene together in the schools of the city and the social centers.

They will animate:

Saint Quentin

Intercultural workshops and practice of foreign languages (English, Spanish, Latvian).

Animation related to cultural differences, empathy (type of animation "The Derdians"

adapted to the target audience). These interventions are based on non-formal

education methods (no top-down intervention, but learning by doing). Discoveries of

other cultures (cooking, music, dances ...)

Animation of meridian breaks: support for extracurricular teams for student lunches /

setting up and animation of artistic, cultural, recreational and sports workshops for

young people students.

Workshop and information session in high schools: information session on mobility

devices. These workshops aim to promote international mobility and open the

possibilities of young high school students.

Profile of the volunteers :

2 volunteers from 2 different countries (Spain and Latvia) Age between 18 and 30 years old.

Motivated to learn about a new culture and living abroad.

Motivated and willing to learn Spanish.

Interested in work with youngsters and children.

Able to create a project, organize activities, work in a team, social skills, etc…

Motivated to get to know the local people.

Open minded personality.

Able to share new ideas and express your culture and country to other youngsters, for

example.

We value positively other aspects like: having experiences in volunteering in your

country, abilities in handcrafts, having experiences in work with youngsters, use of

social networks, etc…

Accommodation : The accommodation will be in a flat in Saint Quentin : 39 rue Thiers - Saint Quentin PLAN

The kitchen, the living room and the bathroom are in a common part but the rooms are

individual.

The apartment is furnished, the kitchen is equipped with dishes and hobs, the bedding is new.

Volunteers will have unlimited internet access with a computer in the apartment.

A few words about the city of Saint Quentin : Located in Picardie in the department of Aisne, the city

of Saint-Quentin is composed of about 56 000

inhabitants. The city, which borders the Somme, was

largely rebuilt after the Second World War. He enjoys an

important partimony Art Deco but also historical and

religious. Among the buildings not to be missed: the Saint-Quentin basilica and the town hall.

Picardy is also a region for gourmets! It is obviously impossible to miss the famous cheese of

Maroilles in this so powerful smell ... Discover the lamb of salt prairie of the Bay of the

Somme, the Picardy string (salty crepe) or the flamiche, the cream with quiche and leeks. In

terms of activities in Saint-Quentin, besides the classic (cinema, swimming pool, bowling ...),

you will have the opportunity to start quietly in a bacôve, exploring the Marais de l'Isle.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

The volunteer will receive € 115 of pocket money per month.

During the week, it will be able to eat every lunchtime in collective catering, for the

other meals, each volunteer will receive 4.70 € per meal.

Each volunteer will benefit from a pass to borrow free city buses.

Volunteers will have a bike for other trips.

At the end of the voluntary service, the volunteer will receive the Youthpass Certificate.

Bed linen is provided.

CONTACT US !

FÉDÉRATION DÉPARTEMENTALE DES MJC DE L’AISNE Adress : 28 rue du cloître

02000 LAON

France Phone : 0033 323 263 450

E-mail : laurenttoulmonde@frmjc-picardie.com

PIC : 939604275

Contact : Laurent TOULMONDE