tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70047932671619008622024-02-07T06:12:03.203+00:00The Mog BlogHopefully gonna use this blog to link evrything together. Let the listening and sharing begin...!Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-17926380171386788902009-06-08T12:21:00.005+01:002009-06-08T12:36:19.113+01:00Unconference in Wales around young people and Social Media!!!!!!!<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />Following on from a conversation I had the other day with <a href="http://www.timdavies.org.uk/">Tim Davies</a>, it looks like we'll be getting our own unConference here in Wales in September. Clear your diaries for around the week of 24th September.<br /><br />The venue is <a href="http://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/">Glyndwr Uni</a> in Wrexham and the whole day is gonna be based around young people and social media.<br /><br />At the mo we're looking for any interest in attending/contributing as well as some sponsors.<br /><br />Please, if you wanna get involved contact me or leave us a comment and we'll get back to you!<br /><br />I'll post more details as I get them.....Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-18437966091987446602009-06-08T12:00:00.003+01:002009-06-08T12:37:30.134+01:00Connected Generation 2009 - unConference - exploring youth engagement in a digital age<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />The Connected Generation Unconference is coming up on Saturday July 11th in London! Looks like a great event. You can register for free and get more info <a href="http://connectedgeneration09.eventbrite.com/">HERE</a>. Be quick as the places seem to be running out!<br /><br />If you're going from Wales, let me know and we can hook up?<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://www.timdavies.org.uk/">Tim's</a> overview of the day:<br /><br />"If your work involves young people, then understanding and engaging with social media and online technologies is a must. This event is an opportunity to explore big ideas, and practical realities of weaving the web into work with young people.<br /><br />As an unConference, the exact programme is created on the day by the participants, who will convene conversations, provide demonstrates and share their insights. However, themes that are likely to be explored include: <ul><li><strong>Communicating with young people online </strong>- from promoting youth services and positive activities, through to hosting two-way dialogues with young people in online spaces.</li><li><strong>Social networks & youth participation </strong>- how can Facebook, Bebo, MySpace and Ning be part of the participation workers toolbox? And how does social networking have the power to change the face of participation? </li><li><strong>Digital inclusion for young people</strong> - making sure that all young people have the access to technology and the skills they need to get on in the digital age; </li><li><strong>Practical action -</strong> how to make sure online engagement is based on safe-and-sound foundations; getting policies in place; and making sure the technology and staff skills are available to make the most of online engagement; </li><li><strong>Hands-on learning</strong> - exploring different social media tools that you can use in your work, and sharing tips with other participants about the best way to use them; "</li></ul>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-26063791448456023232009-06-08T11:48:00.005+01:002009-06-08T12:00:13.441+01:00DS4 Digital Storytelling Festival 17th June 2009<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />The DS4 (Digital Storytelling festival) is on 17th June in Aber. I'll be there doin a presentation on our work with young people and digital stories - especially around the future of DS and what opportunities are out there at the mo and upcoming. Here's the details:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw1KAmdr3WTBCtyyp9XjQzODssepTHcStzSapU1GdB68jZXeHIUrnTUtbQw-2hWJ1wMajbu_Yt-gOU4AS3TqVQs7ijGI7VIfOx4i5-Z2xZ5Wfa8H9SXMm5fBYyieJaIeJGJLuQfH3nTE/s1600-h/DS4+pic+JPG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 441px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZw1KAmdr3WTBCtyyp9XjQzODssepTHcStzSapU1GdB68jZXeHIUrnTUtbQw-2hWJ1wMajbu_Yt-gOU4AS3TqVQs7ijGI7VIfOx4i5-Z2xZ5Wfa8H9SXMm5fBYyieJaIeJGJLuQfH3nTE/s400/DS4+pic+JPG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344909290835497682" border="0" /></a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-52258555677939382582009-06-01T17:30:00.009+01:002009-06-01T17:47:20.329+01:00My effort at a flash based Learning Event Generator<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />This is my effort at a Learning Event Generator that I was talking about in Finland<br /><br />The original idea and inspiration is from <a href="http://www.newtools.org/"><b>John Davitt</b></a> all I've done is added some sound effects and an initial input box to type in your own task.<br /><br />(No, you don't have to do the 'why is mog soo cool' task!)<br /><br />I do love the LEG and it's a great way to get people instantly involved and being creative<br /><br /><b>TRY IT OUT!!!!</b><br /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" width="500" height="400" id="LEG" align="middle"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain"><param name="movie" value="http://chris.mog1.googlepages.com/MOGsLEGforweb.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><embed src="http://chris.mog1.googlepages.com/MOGsLEGforweb.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" width="500" height="400" name="LEG" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"><br /></embed><br /></object>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-82879266670229882262009-05-31T09:50:00.003+01:002009-05-31T10:15:19.320+01:00The Digital OpenFound this over at <a href="http://digitalopen.org/">http://digitalopen.org/</a><br /><br /><h2 class="heading">Welcome to The Digital Open!</h2><br /><span style="color: rgb(248, 128, 23);">What can you make with technology that will change the world—or even just make life a little easier or more fun?</span><div class="content clear-block"><br /><p>The Digital Open is an online technology community and competition for youth around the world, age 17 and under.</p><br /><h3>Ready to join us? <a href="http://www.blogger.com/user/register">Sign up</a> and start exploring!</h3><br /><p align="center"><object id="ep_player" name="ep_player" data="http://cdn.episodic.com/player/EpisodicPlayer.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.episodic.com%2Fshows%2F53%2Flpbi42pm16ac%2F2%2Fconfig.xml" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="281" width="500"><br /><br /><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.episodic.com/player/EpisodicPlayer.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.episodic.com%2Fshows%2F53%2Flpbi42pm16ac%2F2%2Fconfig.xml"><br /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed src="http://cdn.episodic.com/player/EpisodicPlayer.swf?config=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.episodic.com%2Fshows%2F53%2Flpbi42pm16ac%2F2%2Fconfig.xml" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="ep_player" name="ep_player" height="281" width="500"></embed></object></p><br /><p>The top project in each category will earn a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/about/prizes">fantastic prize pack</a> and be featured on <a href="http://boingboing.net/">Boing Boing Video</a>! Collaboration is encouraged! Remember, the future is yours to make! We want to hear your ideas, inventions and plans for changing the world through technology.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><div class="wrapper contain"><br /><div class="share right"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://w.sharethis.com/widget/?tabs=web&charset=utf-8&style=default&publisher=79afd7f6-da74-4c6e-9bd9-3c199659901d&headerbg=%2337a037"></script></div><br /></div></div>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-46801275634943244522009-05-26T10:58:00.004+01:002009-05-26T15:25:59.777+01:00Conclusions (Study Visit to Finland)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />I've been thinking about this for the last week or so. There's been so much to take in and think about. How can we here in Wales introduce and build on what we witnessed out in Finland? What lessons can we learn? How can we make sure this sharing of good practice and new ideas continues?<br /><br />I'll start with the last question as we discussed this while we were out in Finland. One of the last exercises we did was to project to the year 2012 and what would information services for young people look like in our respective countries. I don't have the diagrams we made here although I believe they are on their way to me (thanks Elias). As soon as I get them I can post them somewhere along with the presentations.<br /><br />My idea was to set up a <a href="http://www.ning.com/">Ning</a> site where maybe we can begin sharing these ideas and plan how this study visit can develop. I know we were discussing some kind of visit here to Wales? I'd really like to move ahead with this and see what develops and how we can use the outputs to inform and develop wider networks (e.g. EYCA and ERYICA?).<br /><br />We can discuss this on this blog with a fantastic new tool I found out about from <a href="http://www.timdavies.org.uk/">Tim Davies</a> who was using "<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php">Cover it Live</a>" to "instant blog" a conference around <span class="altcaster_replaytitle" id="txtTitle">Digital Inclusion and Social Capital here in the UK - check it out in action <a href="http://www.timdavies.org.uk/2009/05/20/digital-inclusion-and-social-capital/">HERE. </a> This tool is great and may serve as a useful (and open source) solution to holding online youth work and discussions as it has built in moderation as well as a toolbox for storing media and picking up twitter feeds . The interface can be placed on a web page with no fuss. @all on the study visit: Maybe we could schedule an online meeting using CIL in order to discuss how we move forward with our findings from Finland. I've opened up the comments on my blog so you don't need to be registered in order to leave a comment. Let me know what you think and I can organise it here. Maybe we can invite some information workers from the Wales network and beyond?<br /><br />I'd like to point out a comment left on my blog from Tim (many thanx Tim):<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Really enjoying reading your updates from Finland - and have noted down the Digital Generation elements in the Youth Strategy as key ones we should be learning from in UK.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Where should we be looking to capture learning coming out of efforts to put all of the good ideas from the Finnish Youth Strategy into practice?"</span><br /><br />Again I'd really like to emphasise how</span> impressed I was at the Digital Generation aspects of the youth policy in Finland. Elias, maybe you have some ideas of where there may exist already some examples of this online?<br /><br />For me, there seems at the moment to be something of a gap in provision between digital inclusion, youth work and information work. In my presentation I was banging on about the lack of difference in these fields but yet practitioners have been able to "set up camp" as it were often in the most remote parts of this one field; sometimes erecting lines of defense and distinct policy borders.<br /><br />The "joined up thinking" and open source philosophy which for me is at the heart of youth work, is often clouded and complicated by the interpretation of policy makers who sometimes allow only a few favourites into their ivory towers (at the worst), or produce policy based on Chinese whispers that come from the ground.<br /><br />For me, all of these activities go absolutely hand in hand; digital and media literacy is essential as we move forward to an increasingly digital future. In Finland there seemed to be a massive call for "online youth workers", which is fine if there is equality of digital access, whereas here in the UK and definitely in Wales, the idea of universal digital literacy and access is still just that; an idea.<br /><br />At Canllaw Online, the Gwireddu project aims to try and create equality of access for young people by providing digilabs (over 100 at present) across Wales, especially in those areas most deprived, as without access then there can only be exclusion for those young people; the same young people who lost out in many other policies and initiatives due to lack of access and support.<br /><br />To promote and deliver digital equality and minimize digital exclusion, it's crucial for us to provide not only the means of access but FACILITATED access: youth workers who provide information, facilitators who promote digital competence and media literacy and not (as I heard a <span style="font-style: italic;">politician</span> say recently) just providing internet access in libraries and community centres. Is this where young people are? If they are at these places are they confident and literate enough to use the kit effectively and creatively? Are they able to develop and produce content?<br /><br />As well as this, there are of course the inevitable "banned" sites within local authority access points. In the case of the politician I mentioned earlier, despite his show of media competence through having a facebook profile, a twitter account etc, young people in Wales, far from being more connected to decision makers are in fact being excluded from them by virtue of these sites being banned in most local authority provision.<br /><br />Our call at Canllaw Online is for facilitated access that provides opportunity, in the best tradition of youth work, for open discussion, for the promotion of media literacy and digital competence as opposed to censorship which in itself can be a contributory factor to exclusion, especially for those (great number) of young people who have no access at home.<br /><br />Another action point to come out of this for me is the often hypocritical nature of youth work and the "one way" traffic of empowerment. It strikes me that the Finnish youth policy has been truly informed by both practitioners and young people across the country and thus reflects a real dialogue between all interested parties. As youth workers we are always extolling the virtues of empowerment and encouraging participation based around the UNCRC, for young people; but what about us as workers?<br /><br />It seems to me to be often the case that youth workers feel that their opinion is not important, decision makers are "not interested" in how we feel about youth work on the ground. Perhaps we need to be more empowered as workers in order to express and input into national policy. In terms of information work, we always recognise that information for young people should be CRAP (Concise, Relevant, Accurate and fit for Purpose), with this as our mantra (especially the fit for purpose part; being age and audience specific) all we need do is be aware of our client group and present the information accordingly.<br /><br />That is, we can employ our "youth work skills" to engage with all people regardless of age and therefore empower ourselves to contribute in a louder voice to policy, instead of having to be reactionary to policy in which we feel our voice has not been represented; after all, would we stand by and allow the voices of young people to be treated in this manner?<br /><br />Wow, that was a bit much? Didn't expect all that to roll out! But then again, whenever I get the chance to work with people from other countries, there seems always so much to bring back, and so much to share.<br /><br />This blog is being fed into the Youth Information Wales (YIWC) network too, so I'd be really interested to find out how everyone feel s about how we may be able to work together with our European colleagues for mutual benefit and for the benefit of the young people involved.<br /><br />As well as this I'd also like to point you in the direction of <a href="http://ukyouthonline.ning.com/">UK Youth Work Online</a> where there are many discussions around digital engagement as well as links to research, new ideas etc. from across the UK.<br /><br />Hopefully we'll soon have a space where we can begin to develop and implement some of the learning outcomes from the study visit. @Study Group; please let me know if you want to meet up online and I'll get started.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One Final Point</span><br /><br />When I returned from Finland, it was the final day of the EYCA conference in Cardiff organised by Canllaw Online. Around 100 members from all across Europe attended and the conference was a fantastic success. All of the effort and organisation form the Canllaw team was volunteered as we have all been made redundant in the last 2-3 months.<br /><br />We are a small team and I think the level of commitment and enthusiasm to the development of resources for young people (both on and off line) here in Wales and in Europe has been shown to be pretty much unstoppable.<br /><br />I've been unemployed since the end of March this year, but I believe that there is still much to done and I am committed to continuing this work. My great thanks to all who have, and continue to support us and the work that we believe in.<br /><br />As a final treat, I invite you to witness the traditional Welsh folk dancing...perhaps this explains a lot about the Welsh (keep you're eyes peeled around 1:18...yes we all dance like this here!!!!!). <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UxU8s7Au0A">CHECK IT OUT</a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-3719123851595585622009-05-21T12:41:00.004+01:002009-05-21T13:20:57.889+01:00Friday 15.05.09<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So the last day had arrived, and after rather a late night (although sometimes it's hard to tell with the light in Finland) we arrived at the town hall for presentations from all the participants plus a tour of the surrounding buildings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03yRivNBSbWKURqd49Mu5h7VL4GQTafyU13WzA6EiAVDmcE7L8W9OUIK69nLWgF9YeBlnuYVFZvrTjbj_ezVW_W7PW27T_-eu7HOaSKApe88qsr3oZB3oWbcOkOyISLuy8sQ6h8xQFCI/s1600-h/15052009110.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03yRivNBSbWKURqd49Mu5h7VL4GQTafyU13WzA6EiAVDmcE7L8W9OUIK69nLWgF9YeBlnuYVFZvrTjbj_ezVW_W7PW27T_-eu7HOaSKApe88qsr3oZB3oWbcOkOyISLuy8sQ6h8xQFCI/s320/15052009110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338247647242530498" border="0" /></a>I'll post the presentations somewhere when I receive them and post a link. Suffice to say there was much discussion and enthusiasm (and drinking water for me!).<br /><br />We also had a tour of the surrounding buildings all designed by <a href="http://www.seinajoki.fi/english/general/alvar_aalto/">Alvar Aalto</a>. Follow the link for more info.<br /><br />We had a fantastic tour and ended up at the top of the bell tower with fantastic views over Seinajoki.<br /><br />We had some discussion on how we take the findings from this study visit forward which i'll elaborate on in a later post.<br /><br />The evening was the official reception at the wonderful manor in Tornava. My great thanks to everyone here for a great evening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3z-uOXiRAYTIvrcdYKybe4kLOcL2SIsafzqcfvw7WMCHOIqx877Kp1CZE9OHeJuI9NmE-RnNVzMUMxc2INNn5BJ68N3v_1TKXJjlAqZSS3AXhW1sA3bWIM-R94jkxUVUkkvmKoJiEuo/s1600-h/n790893129_1666833_5945212.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3z-uOXiRAYTIvrcdYKybe4kLOcL2SIsafzqcfvw7WMCHOIqx877Kp1CZE9OHeJuI9NmE-RnNVzMUMxc2INNn5BJ68N3v_1TKXJjlAqZSS3AXhW1sA3bWIM-R94jkxUVUkkvmKoJiEuo/s320/n790893129_1666833_5945212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338250239649491618" border="0" /></a>Then, unfortunately back to the train for the journey home....<br /><br />My great thanks to everyone for such a great time: we saw some great practice, talked to some great people, we had great fun. Thanks:<br /><br />Belgium: Femke, Ringo, Stevie, Gee and Sam<br />Slovenia: Matjaz, Sanela, Anja and Simona<br />Wales: Rachel and Kath<br /><br />and especially to the mega hard working Finns:<br /><br />Elias (the master)<br />Heidi and Hanna<br /><br />See you all in Wales soon???Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-87205737334450851992009-05-21T12:27:00.003+01:002009-05-21T12:37:10.911+01:00Seinajoki youth council (Thur 14.05.09 pm)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />What a day it had been so far., and then off to we knew not where...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6x0OiEiP7dCyH03J8QFrfKyU7aM7CcPgHH7Qd3wJf_Aajf_EcpUKl_Zjt8OQp4Lb3CNHcIk6ZGV3vmfhXDmnz8rsEVPDxMiONd0s5SPdygk2PDxXYQQQEVq5zll8moMgTpDdN5g33rM/s1600-h/14052009109.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6x0OiEiP7dCyH03J8QFrfKyU7aM7CcPgHH7Qd3wJf_Aajf_EcpUKl_Zjt8OQp4Lb3CNHcIk6ZGV3vmfhXDmnz8rsEVPDxMiONd0s5SPdygk2PDxXYQQQEVq5zll8moMgTpDdN5g33rM/s320/14052009109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338237646342170466" border="0" /></a>We arrived at a fantastic youth provision (often <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">referred</span> to as a youth house in Finland) where the youth council of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seinajoki</span> had very kindly arranged to cook us dinner!<br /><br />I got hammered in table tennis by the guy in the picture second from the right, which underlined to me my need to brush up on my youth work skills!(Joke).<br /><br />We helped prepare the food and it gave us a chance to meet and talk to the guys which was a really nice opportunity. The youth council comes from schools all across the area and aims to input and lobby on local matters. During their presentation (in fantastic English) they described how "meeting the man" can sometimes work out and sometimes not.<br /><br />It seemed to me that the problems we often face here in Wales, in terms of getting local decision makers involved and interested and trying to break down the stereotypes of young people, are just as relevant in Finland.<br /><br />However, the youth council seem to be pro-active in representing the views of other young people on matters that affect them.<br /><br />This was a really great night and the young people were really friendly and talkative - despite the downhill decline of my table tennis skills.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-60633595494161999342009-05-21T12:05:00.004+01:002009-05-21T12:19:45.675+01:00Quick Visit to Seinajoki Skate Park (Thurs 14.05.09 pm)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So I didn't really know where we we were going and then we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">turned</span> up here:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUc8AVFiIfpZEHhPYm3RKoUQFXrhcKkpISDpuOH9AJQ1cNy_WeA2SLJabcfxKPmN7CHMoLk5rcFUn7574g1FUhV7EUSiaXNTz4G9Lo7zHL_fka5E3U69x62FiC2l_q-feIrmgsGBbh9I/s1600-h/14052009107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUc8AVFiIfpZEHhPYm3RKoUQFXrhcKkpISDpuOH9AJQ1cNy_WeA2SLJabcfxKPmN7CHMoLk5rcFUn7574g1FUhV7EUSiaXNTz4G9Lo7zHL_fka5E3U69x62FiC2l_q-feIrmgsGBbh9I/s320/14052009107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338233939275647026" border="0" /></a>An indoor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">skatepark</span> run and maintained mostly by young people. Man, I loved this place but unfortunately there wasn't a spare board so i could have a quick blast around!<br /><br />This place is so nice; the lines are awesome and I could spend a whole day here just carving it up.<br /><br />Anyway, the whole thing is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">run</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">and</span> organised by the young people with some help from local youth workers. They run film nights, competitions and all sorts in order to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">fund raise</span> for events and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">maintenance</span>.<br /><br />I found a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">youtube</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">vid</span> of the park being used <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrmGccldipA">HERE</a>. It's often the case that young people are criminalised for "hanging around" and "causing trouble", I know this form first hand experience, but when you see this kind <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">of</span> pro-active, empowering work being truly led by young people themselves, you really want to shout about it and celebrate it.<br /><br />At least I do, but then I'm a bit biased towards skating stuff.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-1747912474573836902009-05-20T21:05:00.005+01:002009-05-21T12:04:53.901+01:00Visit to Rytmikorjaamo (Thurs 14.05.09 pm)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G4c3J3Wf3gjYnoauZ_ewpSShXfSUjLONwcmAp5ONjHQGk15_7wlpe3cq6SO5yHuX0zNdgJIskoG5HV7a6Q2kpoq72B5gedTEJqjsA1SK4oMJ6B0KI42X13cyXuBWAbcbjexcaUsfB3w/s1600-h/14052009105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8G4c3J3Wf3gjYnoauZ_ewpSShXfSUjLONwcmAp5ONjHQGk15_7wlpe3cq6SO5yHuX0zNdgJIskoG5HV7a6Q2kpoq72B5gedTEJqjsA1SK4oMJ6B0KI42X13cyXuBWAbcbjexcaUsfB3w/s320/14052009105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338000084897446914" border="0" /></a>This is a great live music venue in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Seinajoki</span> which sees many live events, local bands and offers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">practice</span> rooms and facilities for up and coming bands at a reduced rate.<br /><br />The guys were telling us about a project they're involved in called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Louhimo</span> where they go out to local schools with music equipment (guitar, drums, keyboards etc) and give the young people a taste of music with the aim to produce a "song" often within as little time as 45 minutes!<br /><br />It's often the case that these young people have never picked up an instrument before and to give them a taste of music and all the attached soft skills that go with that is a great idea. Again, even though it's about working in schools, the schools themselves seem to be very much on board and the project is very successful. It reminds me of Community Music Wales, where the idea is very much the same.<br /><br />Although the music scene in Finland seems vibrant it would appear that there is not a lot of interest in buying music nationally, so unfortunately it is often the case that bands are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">aiming</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">success</span> outside Finland, although at this project they are also trying to bring the music back home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF40C-3QwsT8IEhrAV1vpSoriwUwsuuJap6h8jLB1EkdX5t3M1C_OZ2L1mnVdOmNbCPO_hAVtfEGovPGBw_DuFli_6lHa0vidplnGrsSlC45HI5SVvL4u9v0jRJLAHNW63psbuFRA2pw/s1600-h/4417_1145584673251_1036540675_30509873_4039994_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF40C-3QwsT8IEhrAV1vpSoriwUwsuuJap6h8jLB1EkdX5t3M1C_OZ2L1mnVdOmNbCPO_hAVtfEGovPGBw_DuFli_6lHa0vidplnGrsSlC45HI5SVvL4u9v0jRJLAHNW63psbuFRA2pw/s320/4417_1145584673251_1036540675_30509873_4039994_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338231212927686370" border="0" /></a><br />A really interesting insight to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">the</span> Finnish psyche was offered up by our guide here, who suggested that Finnish people in general are quite reserved and take some time to "come out of their shell" as it were (<span style="font-style: italic;">a bit like reverse Belgians??? He He</span>) and for this reason are often shy of performing. He said this may be the reason that metal is so popular in Finland as "you don't really need to be a great singer"; a fantastic observation!<br /><br />I feel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">that</span> music is often a great vehicle for youth work and the associated <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">skills</span> it aims to encourage and celebrate. This coupled with pro-active information work always makes for fantastically empowering and exciting project work. We definitely had a great time here!!!Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-82024057741382120432009-05-20T14:14:00.005+01:002009-05-20T21:04:59.476+01:00Policy and Structures of Youth INFO work in Finland (Thus 14.05.09 pm)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So, after being hospitably fed at the high school in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ilmajoki</span>, we were of back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seinajoki</span> to find out about some national policy and projects and wider European work in Finland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn3w788x2V2wGgzjtzutZow2ofGfmgcKxGzNJo_mS2-NPzdzXPCma6OAS2jxAigTKKWrBVYIl-aK66Pz6qUqTvjxnn6E_WOkAUuJX-9GbboQKlFxYpHAOUzPa3nn_Tnu5u5fGm_zsTjw/s1600-h/15052009111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHn3w788x2V2wGgzjtzutZow2ofGfmgcKxGzNJo_mS2-NPzdzXPCma6OAS2jxAigTKKWrBVYIl-aK66Pz6qUqTvjxnn6E_WOkAUuJX-9GbboQKlFxYpHAOUzPa3nn_Tnu5u5fGm_zsTjw/s320/15052009111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337896382353910946" border="0" /></a>The ministry of Education in Finland is the co-ordinating body for national youth information and counselling services. These services have been strongly influenced by the Finnish Youth Act (2006) which seems very forward thinking in it's approach, also the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ERYICA</span> Charter (see the young person friendly version <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YTwoA7FOqA">HERE</a> plus the charter itself <a href="http://www.eryica.org/en/content/european-youth-information-charter">HERE</a>) and the Finish Governments Child and Youth Policy Programme 2007-2011 (get the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">PDF</span> <a href="http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Julkaisut/2007/Lapsi-_ja_nuorisopolitiikan_kehittamisohjelma_2007-2011?lang=en">HERE</a>).<br /><br />Altogether there is a lot of national support for youth information which is reflected in the attitudes expressed especially within the youth policy programme. I only briefly thumbed through the document but I would recommend a look to all. I'm definitely coming back to Wales with that document as a great example of how policy can be forward thinking and far reaching; insightful whilst being able to provide concrete challenges. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">attitude</span> to new technologies and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">internet</span> use, once <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">again</span>, aroused my interest and maybe there's a leaf or two in Chapter 6 "Digital Generation" we could use? Comments please!<br /><br />The next part of the presentation introduced a novel and exciting approach to E democracy via <a href="http://aloitekanava.fi/"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">THIS</span> SITE</a> (Finnish only). This site (launched 2008( allows young people to voice their concerns and put forward ideas that they feel are relevant to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">their</span> local areas. The ideas are posted and then voted on by peers, when the voting reaches a certain level the ideas/concerns are passed on to local decision makers. The service also allows decision makers to take into account the views of young people before making decisions. Although the site is only in Finnish, a cursory look can show the mechanics of operation.<br /><br />This service is being rolled out across localities all over Finland and for me offers a fantastic engagement and e-democracy tool which we can all benefit from. We even discussed later how this tool may be an open source forum...I've had some ideas around that too!<br /><br />Suffice to say, I felt this was a great idea <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">although</span> there have been concerns regarding the speed at which the process operates; in that it can take a long time for these concerns to be addressed.<br /><br />Finally was an update from <a href="http://www.eryica.org/">ERYICA</a> (European Youth Information and Counselling Agency), especially around the <a href="http://www.eryica.org/content/projects">Meet the Streets</a> Project which is developing to it's next stage which involves a tour bus!! The project aims to collect the views of young people across Europe on the future of youth policy and how current policy effects them. Using "in your pocket" technology and open source editing and publishing this really is a fantastic information project.<br /><br />If you're reading this in Wales please go and look at the Meet the Streets link above and if you want to get involved please contact me and we'll provide everything you need: training, equipment etc. The next phase of the project really sounds exciting and it's a great opportunity to get involved!!!<br /><br />So, I think the state of policy in Finland seems to be extrememly encouraging and we can all take something from that. At a local, national and European level i feel we can all offer something!!! Please get in touch with me if you want to get involved...Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-27828299129785165822009-05-20T13:29:00.002+01:002009-05-20T14:12:56.704+01:00South Ostrobothnia Folk High School (Thu 14.05.09 am)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So, after the JIBBO centre, we moved on to the folk high school, about five minutes away:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z4LHAYo0T0qDZBUsUktTFBA84tp5HZeSfgRsneRNVBhAZeshBKtgdbYGkd3Nq56iREuD_oZjX5NC-F5J86iRckwpMlPqGpedm5rvuBwg5l9wNohoeYTvSJqdRaeEsxKk3VVV3EgLwgk/s1600-h/14052009101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z4LHAYo0T0qDZBUsUktTFBA84tp5HZeSfgRsneRNVBhAZeshBKtgdbYGkd3Nq56iREuD_oZjX5NC-F5J86iRckwpMlPqGpedm5rvuBwg5l9wNohoeYTvSJqdRaeEsxKk3VVV3EgLwgk/s320/14052009101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337887860569692258" border="0" /></a>A really impressive building and grounds, especially in the lovely weather!<br /><br />This is a private (fee paying) school that offers a vocational youth work qualification. This qualification is free and is recognised as a national youth work qualification in youth work.<br /><br />The training is very much "on the job", so if anyone is considering providing a placement for a worker, <a href="http://www.epopisto.fi/en/general_information.php">this is the place to start</a>.<br /><br />I won't go into too much detail as to the programmes on offer here as all the info you need can be found using the link above. However, if you're interested in offering a placement to Finnish students just get in touch with me.<br /><br />For me, the really intersting point that came out of this visit was around age. The course is aimed at 14-19 year olds and Satu (Teacher, Educational Subjects) expressed some concern at people of this age choosing a career who's main area of work is aimed at themselves.<br /><br />In Wales, with the development and introsduction of the degree course in youth and community work, there may well be a similar issue as we see more and more young people choosing youth work as a career option withouht, perhaps, the experience to back it up.<br /><br />As Satu expressed, it can be difficult for younger people to fully appreciate a youth work situation without relevant, professional experience. The paralell here in Wales can often mean there is a disparity between those with the experience and insight and those with the qualification.<br /><br />Another point that junps out at me from this is the inclusion (and once again the mutual exclusivity) of youth work as part of the wider vocation of information work. Here in Wales, it is often the case that workers are given the guidelines and mantra of youth work as to "offer information, advice and guidance" without necessarily investigating and exploring the implications and reach of "information".<br /><br />Of course there are arguments on both sides and the very fact that a national qualification that raises the profile of youth work is by no means the least important. However, I certainly feel that there is always room for reflection and actoion based on that reflection in order to improve the quality of our services.<br /><br />I hope this is a discussion that will go on.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-16517524436629995402009-05-20T12:56:00.003+01:002009-05-20T13:24:24.826+01:00JIBBO - Ilmajoki (Thu 14.05.09 am)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">JIBBO</span> is the youth information and counselling umbrella organisation for the region and we visited a centre set just within the grounds of a school in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ilmajoki</span> (just down the road from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Seinajoki</span>).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnjmltF4zRknoRSYCTVpJJe2S6aaWAeR4d-swZX2beVunnJjnTi_qVlwCfsOyaf0mBxkcEHw3ylxwvP4OLd-iC4hmr8KMf4DaoKrQ23AAbBm8qkZeF5PpLsKp82o4BZAtuQwUansrzXo/s1600-h/14052009099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnjmltF4zRknoRSYCTVpJJe2S6aaWAeR4d-swZX2beVunnJjnTi_qVlwCfsOyaf0mBxkcEHw3ylxwvP4OLd-iC4hmr8KMf4DaoKrQ23AAbBm8qkZeF5PpLsKp82o4BZAtuQwUansrzXo/s320/14052009099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337875259166061458" border="0" /></a>This is a great information centre with really friendly youth work staff who are pro-actively providing information services to young people in the area.<br /><br />There were a couple of points that came up during our brief visit here which I think are very applicable to work here in Wales and maybe in the wider world of youth information work.<br /><br />The first was the concept of working in schools. Oh yes, the classic situation where, even though this particular information centre is within the school grounds, there has been some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">resistance</span> to information provision. I think, from listening to the staff, it's a matter of understanding the relevance of information and how it can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mutually</span> beneficial for workers, teachers and young people. The staff at the centre expressed how it has been a struggle for the last year or so to be "accepted" by the formal educators and has required a pro-active approach in terms of engagement with the school to promote the value and importance of information work.<br /><br />However, it would seem that the work is paying dividends for both the school and the information centre with mutual referrals and signposting as well as the opportunity for joined up workshops and events. I feel that this example really shows how information work can be a "seasonal" venture (e.g. providing pro-active information depending on the time of year; info around exams perhaps?) as well as a preventative service (e.g. providing pro-active information <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">relating</span> to monitoring of enquiries; providing workshops/specialists in response to an increase in enquiries around housing/bullying etc.).<br /><br />The second point raised concerned my ongoing internal ethical discussion around the often mutual exclusivity of information work vs issue based/traditional youth work. The staff here felt that their information work was very much a "part" of their youth work, a part of their working week when they were required to provide purely information work.<br /><br />For me, youth work is very much a part of information work; it's all about how you see and reflect on the way you work and the methods you employ dependent on the situation that arises. Now, I don't want to start going on about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">praxis</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Friere</span> and so on as that's for another post, but I'm really becoming fascinated with youth work approaches and the inclusion or otherwise of the wider field of youth information work that harnesses and encompasses many youth work based approaches.<br /><br />Although this was very much a flying visit, it did provoke a lot of debate for me which I hope will provide some comments here.<br /><br />More info on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">JIBBO</span> <a href="http://www.jibbo.net/index.html">HERE</a> (Finnish only)Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-43435993932358851962009-05-20T12:03:00.006+01:002009-05-20T12:43:54.949+01:00Seinajoki youth dept (Wed 13.05.09 pm)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span></span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So after some 4 hours on the bus we arrived in the city of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Senajoki</span></span>. The journey was long <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">although</span> it did provide an opportunity to witness the Finnish landscape. For me (I'm just a boy form the Welsh valleys like innit?) it was very flat. I'm not used to flat and the expanse of flatness was something to behold. It also struck me that Finland, in general, seems to be a rural place with great distances between major towns and cities. For this reason young people board at schools and so, during school times the major centres can be very busy although during holidays the centres are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">relatively</span> empty.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVZRmX42whOEScq7oyuhKYmVNe46loXiisc8JxFeBmnkAa6fcQJZvgN9MBqNAZ9MLGtfXiMkCssE9oDhpWJNSieypvftYXZUoRfKLeJsOM4m5E0RHDK2l6xZS2G1BKFlAT-qX0vRm5UQ/s1600-h/14052009103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVZRmX42whOEScq7oyuhKYmVNe46loXiisc8JxFeBmnkAa6fcQJZvgN9MBqNAZ9MLGtfXiMkCssE9oDhpWJNSieypvftYXZUoRfKLeJsOM4m5E0RHDK2l6xZS2G1BKFlAT-qX0vRm5UQ/s320/14052009103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337863164231330418" border="0" /></a>The youth dept of the city and region of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seinajoki</span> sees all young people (those under 30 in accordance with the Finnish Youth Act) as "active operators in a tolerant and cultural town".<br /><br />I really liked this description; it puts a really positive slant on young people and along with a commitment to developing culture and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">business</span> as well as multi cultural and sustainable development in the town demonstrates a sense of community development with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">relationships</span> at it's heart.<br /><br />The youth dept talks about tapping into the "energy" of the young <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">people</span>, joined up working and utilising "stages" to showcase the talents of young people. This concept of participation and engagement within the community in order to encourage community cohesion and pride seems to be reflected in the way that young people from the region will return to settle down after school/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">college</span>/university. There's definitely a sense of pride in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Seinajoki</span>.<br /><br />I think that the "brain drain" we often see in other countries where young people take their skills elsewhere and do not return to invest in their own communities, is not so apparent here and the youth dept seems to be encouraging this attitude through community events such as the annual "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Provinssirock</span>" rock festival (<a href="http://www.provinssirock.net/etusivu_en">Link to the English page</a>).<br /><br />Interestingly, once again the issue of "online youth work" popped up as the youth dept are calling for more youth workers to spend time in online counselling fora. This once more demonstrates the falling number of face to face enquiries and the need to go to "where young people are"; surely a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">pre</span>-requisite of the youth worker? This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">opened</span> up a great deal of debate (at least in my head) as to where the line is and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">reminded</span> me of some of the discussions over on UK youth work online (<a href="http://ukyouthonline.ning.com/">LINK</a>) where these issues are able to be discussed openly and hopefully inform policy over here.<br /><br />I think this recurring theme in Finland has given me something to bring back to Wales and discuss with the Information Workers Network. I'd be interested to receive any comments around this issue, whether in Wales the UK or other countries. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hmmm</span>.<br /><br />In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">conclusion</span>, I felt there was a real energy and motivation within the youth dept in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Seinajoki</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">and</span> despite universal issues of staffing, time and resources the centre seemed busy, running dance and ballet programmes, arts and crafts etc. as well as a space for general information work.<br /><br />More info on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Seinajoki</span> youth dept <a href="http://www.infomobil.org/en/content/youth-information-services-finland">HERE</a>.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-23527756611733624612009-05-20T11:18:00.005+01:002009-05-20T11:55:53.394+01:00Visit to Kompassi youth information centre (Wed 13.05.09 am)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MOG</span> BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So, obviously I'm writing this now in retrospect as it's been a bit manic over the last few days.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSLy7fSlRxPiOr3vjGYj_e0nsxtZ6IVF4H_TfLj4ZAUvQMtoWG92YQIrgLGxPN1hA7fh7pJGRTjLGd6ROPIiUo7GfMmf5kRmV3OxiYn5ugjs3nSGCNxTAu766u4YnPyM6tOG6RfIxU5Q/s1600-h/13052009097.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSLy7fSlRxPiOr3vjGYj_e0nsxtZ6IVF4H_TfLj4ZAUvQMtoWG92YQIrgLGxPN1hA7fh7pJGRTjLGd6ROPIiUo7GfMmf5kRmV3OxiYn5ugjs3nSGCNxTAu766u4YnPyM6tOG6RfIxU5Q/s320/13052009097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337851024497970610" border="0" /></a>Wednesday morning found us visiting the youth information centre at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kompassi</span> in Helsinki (<a href="http://www.kompassi.info/">www.kompassi.info</a>) which is a youth information centre established around 1983 and providing general information for 13-25s.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kompassi</span> seems to be very much THE info point in Helsinki and with a great deal of experience behind them offer a range of information services both on and off line, including; phone help lines, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">publications</span>, web services, 7 computers with free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">internet</span> access, information workshops, drop in facilities, referrals and signposting and media/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">information</span> literacy.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kompassi's</span> web pages offer a novel service called trouble shooting corner where young people can post queries <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">anonymously</span> which are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">guaranteed</span> to be answered within 5 days by a youth info worker. The queries (and responses) are open for debate and comment on the site by other users and offer a forum for discussion. With an apparent fall in face to face enquiries, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kompassi</span> feel investment in these online counselling services to be the future of youth information work in Finland.<br /><br />Coupled with this, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kompassi</span> offer training and support for other young people to become online peer counsellors/advisers. Training includes ethical issues and moderation of queries that allow a peer led approach through an online forum that reaches across Finland.<br /><br />Along with the trouble shooting corner, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kompassi</span> have also been involved with a larger scale project involving online counselling within the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">SNS</span> world. I don't remember the name of the site (Elias, can you help me out?) but it's very much the Finnish equivalent of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">facebook</span>; a place where young people are. Information workers along with other professionals (police, social services etc.) hold "online surgeries" or chat fora where young people can query and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">receive</span> advice directly.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwTJF3tZFcGQSELjz9rbMfnP1d_RAHC2Sj8Yp9gqgBN09JhtIO25i0WeTPq105-1mcTsIeizrOxWY_JwgnqpzMGTLg9f77Nqtc_xs5m6FP4bxJ396RAV7IHZJ490vbcUrc-DGn3H5izc/s1600-h/13052009096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwTJF3tZFcGQSELjz9rbMfnP1d_RAHC2Sj8Yp9gqgBN09JhtIO25i0WeTPq105-1mcTsIeizrOxWY_JwgnqpzMGTLg9f77Nqtc_xs5m6FP4bxJ396RAV7IHZJ490vbcUrc-DGn3H5izc/s320/13052009096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337855797307980370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The interesting part of this from my point of view is the eagerness of the Finns to reach out (to do outreach work) where young people are, even if that place is online. It seems obvious to me that if there are less face to face information enquiries, that doesn't mean there is less need for youth information work. Young people are just "somewhere else"; online. Maybe if we took more of a youth work approach to working with young people online in the UK?<br /><br />There was a final point I wanted to make with regard to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Kompassi</span> and that is around the indexing/classification of information. Now, no doubt, you guys here in Wales are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">completely</span> familiar with the concept and appreciate the benefits and advantages it can bring, however in Finland there seems to be no universal indexing system. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Kompassi</span> though there is a comprehensive info index system both on and off line.<br /><br />That made me very happy!!! But then these thing do!!!<br /><br />In conclusion, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Kompassi</span> was a fantastic example of an information centre that is developing and moving and adapting while still being able to draw on a rich history and experience in information work.<br /><br />I think it's a real model information resource where the workers really seem to appreciate the role of information in youth work and it's unique approach.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-72432950654788393352009-05-14T16:14:00.003+01:002009-05-20T14:01:31.049+01:00Busy busy busy...<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />Yep I know it's been a couple of days but it's been absolutely flat out and I will DEFINITELY post some reports on some of wicked places we've seen and the things we've done when I get a chance.<br /><br />Suffice to say I hope you like moomins as much as the Belgians seem to...<br /><br />(Yep..."in joke")<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7004793267161900862" target="_blank"><br /></a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-71187684040090469132009-05-12T15:42:00.003+01:002009-05-12T16:18:47.031+01:00Visit to CIMO (Centre for International Mobility)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So, after a great luncheon at Allianssi with their fantastic facilities (really liked the layout of the library and info services) we take a tram over to the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO).<br /><br />What fantastic building! I found the coolest green chairs inside:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpqjtjHBv-8I_5KVicATkHME7Wo0UIabxMhLlo6GaB-Z3RbagEjJ483DvpdgCqQwz-Qe8ocYLxIZGNu6kl4ytanekyzfHOw6mS65A8uzwPT0_ibpCGXstReDUktyt4iWRbegYrcWTWT4/s1600-h/12052009089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpqjtjHBv-8I_5KVicATkHME7Wo0UIabxMhLlo6GaB-Z3RbagEjJ483DvpdgCqQwz-Qe8ocYLxIZGNu6kl4ytanekyzfHOw6mS65A8uzwPT0_ibpCGXstReDUktyt4iWRbegYrcWTWT4/s320/12052009089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334950460481215794" border="0" /></a>CIMO (est 1991) is the national organisation promoting cross cultural communication and mobility, including international projects such as youth in action, life long learning programme, Erasmus, DaVinci etc. as well as offering information, advice, guidance and training regarding international mobility.<br /><br />CIMO is also responsible for the marketing and PR realting to HE recruitment in Finland as well as overeeing a network of Finnish lectures in HE and FE establishments across the globe.<br /><br />In terms of INFO work, I found this organisation to be an excellent eample of almost pure enquiry based INFO work, which I hope will help me during my presentation of Canllaw Online's INFO work on Friday (I'll post a link somewhere).<br /><br />CIMO provide INFO on an enquiry basis regarding the various projects mentioned above as well as enquiries involving other cross cultural issues such as studying and volunteering abroad through signposting, referral and printed materials. As well as face to face work CIMO deals with e-queris via email and the website (www.studyinfinland.fi).<br /><br />It struck me as a "classic" INFO scenario where monitoring and evaluation inform CIMO of trends/needs as well as the production of some pro-active INFO, such as guides for Finnish young people which are distributed to guidance counsellors, schools and youth workers containing outline information as well as ideas for lesson plans/activities that promote and encourage analysis of cross cultural exchange and study.<br /><br />CIMO also have good relationships with "expert" organisations (such as Fulbright who specialise in exchenages and studying in America/Canada) and feel that there is no such thing as a stupid question: They had a call from South Africa regarding a dead bird that some guys found that had a ring around it's leg that said "Finland". They wanted to know what they should do.<br /><br />This unconditional personal regard (UPR) is an essential part of INFO work for me.<br /><br />CIMO also offer advice and guidance on effective internet searches for cross cultural experiences and are pro actively present at student fayres both nationally and internationally.<br /><br />"Euroguidance" is also housed under the umbrella of CIMO. This network for guidance counsellors, employment advisors and youth workers aims to support practioners and professionals in the field through training, information and advice, publications and the website, in the field of cross cultural communication and mobility.<br /><br />There is a Euroguidance centre in every country of the EU that can offer this networking opportunity as well as other opportunities for training, study visits and exchanges.<br /><br />In conclusion, I feel it was great to see all this INFO in one place, under one organisation with a clear aim to provide information in an enquiry based scenario.<br /><br />Really cool building too!<br /><br />Righ I'm off for a drink!!!Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-84341227708366548362009-05-12T14:07:00.008+01:002009-05-12T15:41:50.941+01:00Visit to Allianassi (Finnish Youth Co-operation)<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So the REAL today is Tuesday 12th May 2009. Last night was great; hetting to know each other etc. although it's nearly high summer here, so there's hardly any dark. A bit like that film "Insomnia" with Al Pacino and Robin Williams, except it's really nice in Helsinki.<br /><br />Anyway this morning after having a weird dream where i had got up late and missed today's visits, I woke up and found I hadn't missed them at all.<br /><br />So let's begin with our visit to Alliansi (Being Different Together), the national youth work organisation in Finland (est.1993) which supports over 3,400 youth workers in the field as well as 1200 member youth organisations across the country.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf9Ppv-ALsW1k5Vh7D_YF_X7MtG_5smFJU99la8cBvzJS4iJgrF7Cj9meR00OmPSF-UjWmOHqcWtL6MEVdYbNd95nnyj73fN9AlPIr-hdOBoDH2fqjWvhnZimqiclaY4z_o2A7Sw7QEk/s1600-h/12052009086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEf9Ppv-ALsW1k5Vh7D_YF_X7MtG_5smFJU99la8cBvzJS4iJgrF7Cj9meR00OmPSF-UjWmOHqcWtL6MEVdYbNd95nnyj73fN9AlPIr-hdOBoDH2fqjWvhnZimqiclaY4z_o2A7Sw7QEk/s320/12052009086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334925641208911826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quick Overview</span><br /><br />So the vast majority of organinsations engaging and working with young peolple in Finland are members of Alliansi, which aims to support and develop youth work practice regionally, nationally and internationally.<br /><br />The main focus of the organisation is to represent and lobby for the rights of both young people and those who support them through influencing and lobbying government in order to influence policy and the direction of youth work nationally.<br /><br />Alliansi also offers a range of services to member organisations and the young people they represent through education and training and major seminars in youth work such as the Alliansi Cruise ( a youth work seminar on a boat!!!).<br /><br />Multi cultural and minority work and the strive towards equality in youth work in the face of an ever changing demographic pushes Alliansi onward to provide resources and training for youth work organisations in order to promote equality of opportunity and representation.<br /><br />Collaborative project work with organisations representing minority groups as well as networking can promote a sense of belonging and a feeling of being part of a national strategy; Alliansi is leading the way in this ongoing process in Finland which encourages mutual learning and understanding.<br /><br />Other activities include:<br /><ul><li> youth elections which are connected to parliamentary elections which encourages participation and develops an interest and understanding of politics and democracy. Alliansi have also been campaigning and lobbying to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years.</li></ul><ul><li>A magazine for professionals in the field (published 8 times a year)</li></ul><ul><li>A library and Information Service for young people (NOTE: young people in Finland are those under 30 years as defined by The Youth Act).</li></ul><ul><li>Youth Exchanges</li></ul><ul><li>Member European Youth Forum (YFJ), ERYICA and the member organisation for EYCA (European Youth Card Association)</li></ul>More info: <a href="http://www.alli.fi/sivu.php?artikkeli_id=168" target="_blank">ENGLISH</a><br /> <a href="http://www.alli.fi/" target="_blank">FINNISH</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">YOUTH PARTICIPATION AND ALLIANSI</span><br /><br />Alliansi has a range of youth participation projects that it supports including:<br /><ul><li>Youth Councils</li><li>Youth Parliament<br /></li><li>Youth Forums </li><li>A national Board of Youth Councils</li></ul>But perhaps the most intriguing is a participation project run by Alliansi at <a href="http://www.valtikka.fi/">www.valtikka.fi</a><br /><br />This project actively promotes citizenship, E-democracy and politics by offering a discussion platform for young people involved, plus those who work with young people by offering lesson plans and other resources.<br /><br />Also included on the website is a search engine realsted directly to upcoming EU elections. Young people can use this site to engage with parliament and each other in an on and offline environment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDUCATION METHODS<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Living Library"</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>This model comes from Denmark as a reaction to issues around racist violence and aims to break down prejudice and promote equality by encouraging participants to engage in dialogue with those whom they rarely have the opportunity to to talk to.<br /><br />The model centers on the "living book" who is a volunteer with a paticular story/experience/background (plus support and training prior to the event) that can be "borrowed" by participants through the facilitation of a "librarian", who has a "catalogue" of "books" (topics/issues).<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><br />This encourages the "reader" to "borrow" "books" relating to issues that directly affect them and thus provide an opportunity discuss those issues directly; face to face.<br /><br />There are a few rules:<br /><ul><li>Based on mutual respect</li><li>The "reader" must return the "book" in the same physical and mental condition as it was "borrowed".</li><li>The "book" can end the discussion at any time.</li></ul>The "borrowing" lasts 20mins-1 hour and is facilitated by the "librarian". The "reader" then completes an evaluation form.<br /><br />More complete information on this model at <a href="http://living-library.org/" target="_blank">living-library.org</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">GAIA - Assembly of the Nations<br /><br /></span>This is a role playing game based around the themes of human rights, diversity, democracy, decision making, the environment, peace, equality and development.<br /><br />The game features a parallel planet Earth (Gaia) which must be prevented from total destruction by the Assembly of Nations (the players) who must find common and agreeable solutions to the problems that the planet faces.<br /><br />Full manual and game cards available at <a href="http://www.keks.fi/gaia/gaiaenglish" target="_blank">www.keks.fi/gaiaenglish</a> (ENGLSIH VERSION)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">YOUNG CULTURE</span><br /><br />This festival project is housed within Alliansi and was developed from the young people's Art Festival established in 1970.<br /><br />It comprises of two national festivals as well as 20-30 regional festivals across Finland which provide opportunities for young people to showcase their talent and receive feedback from professional artists.<br /><br />In 2008 there were more than 18000 participants nationally and as a result of the festivals some young people were able to take up the opportunity to travel as far as China and Trinidad and Tobago.<br /><br />The aim for 2010 is to establish this cultural youth work as a part of every city's basic youth work.<br /><br />A great line: "Young people should be seen and heard"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CONCLUSIONS</span><br /><br />I must say I was extremely impressed with the strength and depth of Alliansi with regard to national, regional and international youth work.<br /><br />For me, the model of the living library is something that will definitely be happening in Wales.<br /><br />There seems to be a real serious intent in terms of both youth work professionals and the government here to promote, celebrate and encourage youth participation and engagement.<br /><br />Many thanx to all there who have given such inspiration.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-18482705094678362112009-05-12T13:55:00.003+01:002009-05-12T14:07:20.532+01:00Going to Finland...<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br />So, yesterday, myself and 2 colleagues from Wales left Cardiff at 2am heading for Helsinki.<br /><br />Wait...I think that was Sunday night? No Monday morning...<br /><br />Heading for a study visit in Helsinki with other Youth INFO workers from Belgium, Slovenia and Finland.<br /><br />So, i'll be using the next couple of posts to record what we've been up to, where we've been, what we've seen and so on.<br /><br />I've just figured out how this broadband connection works so i think i'm a day late. Maybe that's better 'cos I don't necessarily need to go into the details of last night. Suffice to say we had few beers.<br /><br />Of course only a few as remember we are in Finland (he he).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8tUGD7TU2Z-jkjJP5NdDKRlTRFmUz7YR-Qs1gPA5XT9lbDA6qNfmfZ1moLEuPk5SSqi0tw4dF_bM9q7Gf6Ruvcl3eTrMVbVOnJ7iLtm7G_tBAgzLNfrWD6c-fBwd3Ldm3OLnRNUZgb4/s1600-h/11052009083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8tUGD7TU2Z-jkjJP5NdDKRlTRFmUz7YR-Qs1gPA5XT9lbDA6qNfmfZ1moLEuPk5SSqi0tw4dF_bM9q7Gf6Ruvcl3eTrMVbVOnJ7iLtm7G_tBAgzLNfrWD6c-fBwd3Ldm3OLnRNUZgb4/s320/11052009083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334922749806047106" border="0" /></a>...and then there were other people...obviously i had left at this point and was very much at the hotel sleeping....in the light....and that's not my glass in front of the camera...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7004793267161900862" target="_blank"><br /></a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-50576679520127989452008-11-30T10:53:00.015+00:002008-12-02T17:35:20.214+00:00Meet the Streets Dec 08<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This post is for my upcoming trip to Luxembourg as part of the "Meet the Streets" Project where young people from 20 countries in Europe ar coming together for an initial training programme that aims to collect the views of young people across Europe on their views on youth policy.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />My name is Mog (not Mr. Monk who is, in fact, a character from an American comedy detective series; completely obsessed with cleanliness and germs)<br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6BWZqLERgMI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6BWZqLERgMI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></center><br /><br />I work for Canllaw Online in Wales, UK, an organisation dedicated to providing quality information to young people at a local and national level.<br /><br />I have a tendency to speak at a rate and often get a little over excited to the extent that my own mother would probably misunderstand me!<br /><br />I run a Digital Storytelling project in Wales where I travel all over the country collecting the stories and individual experiences of young people on a range of topics including being young and..gay, young and..homeless, an offender, a volunteer, in transition, making a choice etc etc.<br /><br />I’ve been invited here to talk to you about effective means of recording interviews in order to get the best possible content for the fantastic “Meet the Streets” project.<br /><br />In my work I am constantly trying to find effective ways to capture stories in a way that is honest and uncolored by the presence of both myself, and any kit I might be using. It’s often much better and easier for the YP I speak with to respond instantly to questions aimed at teasing out the story. Some of the YP I work with have literacy issues or perhaps don’t feel comfortable reading from a script.<br /><br />For these reasons as well as an awareness of how much a microphone and the environment of “being recorded” can effect the honesty, integrity and “realness” of a story, we have developed a series of techniques and workshops designed to illicit stories without undue discomfort and stress for participants.<br /><br />Although the aim of MTS is “gathering and analysing the opinions on young people on the future of youth policies in Europe”, the means of recording responses to questions can often result in content with little or no substance. For example:<br /><br />Q: What is your opinion on the future of youth policies in Europe?<br />A. Uh? What?/Good/Bad/Dunno!<br /><br />Obviously some groups and individuals may respond better (in terms of actual editable, concrete content) but it may well be worth breaking the question, or list of questions, into 2 problems that need to be solved by the interviewer:<br /><br />1. What is the question to be addressed (i.e. Q above)?<br />2. What does the question actually mean?<br /><br />Think about how you would respond to being approached by a complete stranger with a clipboard and a list of questions. By it’s very nature, asking questions of strangers “on the street” is an invasive activity, which can lead to offence and non-cooperative attitudes very quickly.<br /><br />It’s happened to me, what I mean is I’ve been the person being asked questions on the street by a film crew with a big camera. It was a question about politics in the UK for a local news item. Suffice to say my response was not aired and I was left feeling a bit stupid and humiliated by my inability to comment when feeling a little pressured. What about you? Have you ever been questioned by people in suits? Maybe you’ve had a similar experience. If so, like me, I’m sure you would want to stop that experience happening to anyone else.<br /><br />So, let’s think of adopting another more friendly approach (I mean universally friendly and not just “youth”-friendly).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Storytelling Approach</span><br /><br />Everyone has a story to tell. Sometimes we may feel that our stories (often the “containers” of opinion) are unimportant and not worth being told as no one really wants to listen to them. But we tell stories every day, a great deal of our daily conversation is based on storytelling, it’s just that somehow we have managed to remove the term from ourselves and applied it to story “professionals”; writers, performers etc.<br /><br />Think about how many stories you have told since arriving here. Who have you spoken to and given information regarding where you come from, why you’re here, what your expectations are, what last night’s dinner and activities were like? etc.<br /><br />All these communications are stories of our lives; as we tell our stories we offer the listener a chance to understand us, to understand our motivations and opinions; as a listener we gather information in order to evaluate and make decisions and from opinions about others.<br /><br />Stories and storytelling help us form alliances, share opinion and form communities. Listening to others’ stories helps us figure out where we fit into the world, what others have to offer and how we stand in relation to our communities.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Are you hearing me?</span><br /><br />An ability to listen in an active manner can be crucial to retrieving information from a story we are being told. It is often the case that what is really being said can be missed by a “non-active” listener and in the context of this project can result in an opportunity to record top quality content being lost.<br /><br />Often as active listeners we are like gold prospectors in that we often have to “pan” or sieve the sediment in order to reveal the ”nugget” of gold; the crux and opinion; the real meaning of a story.<br />Hearing and listening is not necessarily the same thing. We can often listen without hearing. In other words there are several factors involved in picking up the nuances of what is being said to you:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPczBuoOYWeOsQ1FtjTxg7GAt99I3sH3QzGmg-erpJ2moqiGI9B2b-6xHAzEEmOKxkNbqxsHY2mMUufPTuwUGhRPSdsNm4BDLgRfFqZDseHOs2Tp02cPYRj66-fmC3XLLv1JVbLu32aa8/s1600-h/listening.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPczBuoOYWeOsQ1FtjTxg7GAt99I3sH3QzGmg-erpJ2moqiGI9B2b-6xHAzEEmOKxkNbqxsHY2mMUufPTuwUGhRPSdsNm4BDLgRfFqZDseHOs2Tp02cPYRj66-fmC3XLLv1JVbLu32aa8/s400/listening.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275208028244662466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Know what I mean?</span><br /><br />SOLER is a technique that will assist you with attending skills and active listening. Your verbal responses will be based securely on a firm non-verbal foundation, using your body language to say that you are open and listening to another person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJJQSfUX3TuVTkU2I7A1LFEAFgS53KVOecDykWYJ2rlAxkA27ycfW5CkDLNa1RGD5fhKN-By2mqNzpiUH-EuWpBCDS43wRes0kUpQVNsM6WEVGOrdLElJQUp0EHJCLXXw7sobHGo7zVc/s1600-h/SOLER.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJJQSfUX3TuVTkU2I7A1LFEAFgS53KVOecDykWYJ2rlAxkA27ycfW5CkDLNa1RGD5fhKN-By2mqNzpiUH-EuWpBCDS43wRes0kUpQVNsM6WEVGOrdLElJQUp0EHJCLXXw7sobHGo7zVc/s400/SOLER.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274402890785587106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Do you see what I mean?</span> (The projector inside my head)<br /><br />I don’t know about you but there is a projector inside my head. It’s at the corner of mog street and 5th, inside an old style cinema with a uniformed usher at the box office. There is a plush red interior with gold furnishings and thick rope that the usher lifts when you’ve paid your entrance fee. There are burlesque statues and paintings hanging from the lobby walls in ornate frames sporting cherubim and golden scrolls. The seats in the cinema are equally ornate, you can’t see them as it’s dark, but when you are guided to your seat you are able to just glimpse the dark red velvet in the torch beam wielded by the usher. It’s smoky and warm with the smell of fresh buttered popcorn and filled with the low murmurings of just a few other people somewhere close…but not too close.<br /><br />The heavy curtains part and the whirring of the projector accompanies a conical flickering light that excites the warm smoke and falling balls of dust into a frenzy of dancing activity, rising and falling in tune and time with the whirr and the flicker of the old projector.<br /><br />This is where I “watch” the stories I hear, the stories that live their lives outside the cinema and belong to me. This is where I watch the repeats of my favourite stories and the new features, soon to be advertised as part of the cinemas’ “on demand” facility.<br /><br />You see, despite the antiquity of this building, it still manages to stay current and up to date. The management is still very intrigued and inspired by the outside world.<br /><br />During the interval, a young woman comes selling cigarettes, ice creams and drinks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:puU8VldFFFzYqM:http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/03/action_man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 142px;" src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:puU8VldFFFzYqM:http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/03/action_man.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of my favourite stories I watch often is about my brother Mog and the action men…<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now, I’m obviously a very visual person. This is something I have only discovered relatively recently through allowing myself the opportunity to objectively examine my own listening processes. However, the point I am trying to make here is that regardless of the format in which a story is delivered (through text as in my cinema, or told narratively as in Mog and the action men) we are able to create images in the minds of others. This is the reason that purely audio stories can be extremely effective. It is also the reason why reading can be such an immersive experience; we will try and project our own experiences, pictures and feelings onto others’ stories in order to connect to and make sense of it. In essence, we should never ignore our inherent need for interaction with others as well as our seemingly never-ending curiosity and want for others’ company and a sense of needing to belong somewhere, be a part of something, to belong.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Stories of Pictures and Objects in your Pockets</span><br /><br />The starting point for a story does not always have to be words that cerate images, it can be the reverse. Remember that all we’re trying to do, through storytelling, is encourage participants to start sharing their stories and experiences. A picture, or an object can often be the jumping off point for a story perhaps you never knew you possessed.<br /><br />Take a look in your pockets, see what you’ve got. I bet there’s a story there somewhere.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGy3luuz_NT2zOu1W0pkAhxaDFlUM5tqXEbs3QhmK9XPlfV4CLonTEWiW9V0rRkmBYVrFh8_AzkSNW2LMsGSDmnB6lIJ6R802yWe1jgpstfijj-yF1mE15KSt3SnjNNc8J3McOp32lyg/s1600-h/mog1.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGy3luuz_NT2zOu1W0pkAhxaDFlUM5tqXEbs3QhmK9XPlfV4CLonTEWiW9V0rRkmBYVrFh8_AzkSNW2LMsGSDmnB6lIJ6R802yWe1jgpstfijj-yF1mE15KSt3SnjNNc8J3McOp32lyg/s400/mog1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275226546852478930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Take a look at this random pic of me and see if you can guess the story behind it. I can make up a story. Maybe there’s something around that corner that has grabbed my interest. What would the next picture be?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoz80rlOSMFauTvmKiseZ2T7lEtroDkne_mpbr4yMlfuui5qJ3MH3rDkQpWBTCVLCmrCxzfL7novMh2QBJtB-EjXVENXSmeZEEm8VfWZXPyE_PwetkvRAxhaDETilqiq886WaRPsg3YQ/s1600-h/astdam+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoz80rlOSMFauTvmKiseZ2T7lEtroDkne_mpbr4yMlfuui5qJ3MH3rDkQpWBTCVLCmrCxzfL7novMh2QBJtB-EjXVENXSmeZEEm8VfWZXPyE_PwetkvRAxhaDETilqiq886WaRPsg3YQ/s400/astdam+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275227105104853698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />What about this one?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Learning Event Generator</span><br /><br />After a recent conference on new tech, I got in touch with John Davitt, a champion of open source learning and creative thinking who has developed the LEG for educational purposes. Here’s how it looks and the web address is underneath:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo1T30FS4Mdxd7BLqmrUaBRVrfOyyKqs_I-DXdy66579crnoyHh88GKACj-mHOZSWZp4U5BBeLUEiOUvt2FiUUXmUXLNE2OhXtWZLx3ZHoiUxfY7gscXlGugn0Nd7I2BdusVurw5Wvak/s1600-h/davitts+LEG.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 473px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQo1T30FS4Mdxd7BLqmrUaBRVrfOyyKqs_I-DXdy66579crnoyHh88GKACj-mHOZSWZp4U5BBeLUEiOUvt2FiUUXmUXLNE2OhXtWZLx3ZHoiUxfY7gscXlGugn0Nd7I2BdusVurw5Wvak/s400/davitts+LEG.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275227608750363618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">http://www.newtools.org/</span><br /></div><br />The LEG generates random tasks using 20 possible “do” and 20 possible “as”. By “clicking here” you can generate new tasks at random.<br /><br />I’ve adapted this using Nodebox on the Mac:<br /><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="300" width="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/bootstrap.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="flashVars" value="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/FirstFrame.jpg&width=1404&height=915&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/00000007.swf"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="base" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/"> <embed src="http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/bootstrap.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/FirstFrame.jpg&width=1404&height=915&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/00000007.swf" allowfullscreen="true" base="http://content.screencast.com/users/mogcymru/folders/Jing/media/3223a4b4-d38f-46d3-8542-9d494d6d7a93/" scale="showall" height="300" width="500"></embed> </object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally</span><br /><br />As a summary to all this I think it’s all about tools. These approaches to generating content are just tools that you can use to engage participants and get the best content you can by making sure your sessions are fun, interactive and most importantly more fun.<br /><br />The main tools perhaps are:<br /><ul><li>Do you have a picture or object that represents your story/opinion?</li><li>How do YOU want to tell YOUR story?</li><li>Be interested and engaged</li><li>Use the LEG?</li><li>Play some warm up games: e.g.tell us about something you love/something you hate (this often brings out the passion!)</li></ul><br />Sometimes you may be working with a group, and other times you may be working with individuals. Whichever situation you find yourself in, I think the most important thing is for YOU to be engaged, involved and interested.Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-25429761415373938442008-11-12T09:44:00.002+00:002008-11-12T09:50:33.622+00:00new stuff..<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br /> Where to start? First of all theres some funky new SMS tools on this page I'm experimenting with for use at the upcoming GwirForce Residential.<br /><br />I've got another site/document up about using Web 2 tools in youth work<a href="http://chris.mog1.googlepages.com/" target="_blank"> HERE</a>. This looks at how free and open source tools can be used to inform and develop working with YP in a sustainable, creative and global way. <i>(yes I went to ESDGC launch!!!!)</i><br /><br />I'm off to Luxembourg in December to run a workshop on effective interview techniques for a project that'll be running all over Europe called "Meet the Streets"...how cool is that!!!!<br /><br />More coming soon...<br /><br /><br /><a href="" target="_blank"><br /></a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-22037910304325271782008-11-12T09:21:00.005+00:002008-11-12T09:38:58.504+00:00<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.smspoll.net/js/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.smspoll.net/js/embedsmspoll.js"></script><script type="text/javascript">swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.smspoll.net/polls/charts/90tYFEY197bJOEADa.swf", "SMSPollChart", "500", "300", "9.0.115", expressinstall, flashvars, params, attributes);</script><div id="SMSPollChart"><p>You need the <a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Flash Player</a> to view this page.</p></div>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-64958797010003482952008-11-11T15:08:00.012+00:002008-11-11T16:54:02.591+00:00<!-- START WEBMASTERSMS.CARDBOARDFISH.COM SMSCOMMENTS CODING --><br /><br /><br /><style type="text/css"><!-- @import 'http://webmastersms.cardboardfish.com/stylesheets/app_bright.css'; --></style><br /><noscript>This is a JavaScript application. To view it, please activate JavaScript in your browser.</noscript><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://webmastersms.cardboardfish.com/cgi-bin/jsapp.cgi?app=19ff0812ca6af9c9defbd8606f7c9662"></script><br /><div class="websms_smscomments_links"><a href="http://www.cardboardfish.com/sms/UK.html" target="_blank">Cheap SMS to UK</a> with <a href="http://www.cardboardfish.com/" target="_blank">CardBoardFish Business SMS</a></div><br /><br /><!-- END WEBMASTERSMS.CARDBOARDFISH.COM SMSCOMMENTS CODING -->Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-82872890513051006142008-09-12T13:27:00.001+01:002008-09-12T13:29:14.443+01:00Just what I was thinking..<a href="http://themog-blog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><br />THE MOG BLOG continues...</a><br />This is from <a href="http://www.breakfastsociety.com/2008/09/are-you-a-teacher-of-knowledge-or-a-facilitator-of-learning/">http://www.breakfastsociety.com/2008/09/are-you-a-teacher-of-knowledge-or-a-facilitator-of-learning/</a>; a great blog relating to all this youth workery and technologery (!!!!!)<br /><br /><br />Are you a Teacher of Knowledge or a Facilitator of Learning?<br />September 11th, 2008 by mas | Filed under Education & Skills, Innovation & Technology.<br /><br />Maybe “both” is your answer! But are you really?<br /><br />I was reading this discussion about ‘Using Technology in Education‘ that includes a list of gut reaction responses by educators as to what their fears are about using technology. Some of the things I picked out from that list include:<br /><br /> * I feel like a dinosaur in a world of eagles.<br /> * Not knowing the next step without assistance.<br /> * The kids will know WAY more than I do.<br /> * Not being able to troubleshoot when the kids run into glitches.<br /> * Can’t figure how to do things.<br /> * Biggest fear when things don’t work especially when the kids are flying along, it is so deflating.<br /> * Not knowing how to do a task.<br /> * Looking stupid<br /> * My ineptitude will be revealed to the kids<br /><br />So can you teach something without being an expert in it first?<br /><br />That reminds me of conversations we had in the early days of supporting young people to deliver our training. By far the biggest concern young Trainers had with us was that they wouldn’t/weren’t taken seriously - particularly by adult youth workers. This was for a mixture of reasons - the obvious factor of age (very young people being asked to ‘instruct’ much older and sometimes elderly people), being inexperienced, and also because very often young Trainers would end up running a session that wasn’t within their normal expertise.<br /><br />(Its probably also worth making a point that another factor was the attitudes from some Youth Workers who would make it very well known how ‘qualified’ and ‘experienced’ they were - an attitude I found bewildering given the purpose of their employment!)<br /><br />How we supported young people to overcome this was to explain they should never assume they are more knowledgeable than the people in their sessions (young or old), and that actually this was not important. What was important was that they were experts in how we did things - they understood the course programme, the structure of the sessions, and our approach to delivering training. Their role was not to ‘educate’, but to facilitate a process through which participants would share knowledge and ideas (and therefore learn).<br /><br />Everyone who’s ever done any teaching/training/coaching will be very aware that the teacher learns a considerable amount themselves through putting together and delivering teaching.<br /><br />So I wonder how many of you that are involved with educating feel that in order to educate young people you have to first be an ‘expert’ yourself? Do you need to understand all aspects? or do you instead need to be willing to give things a go, experiment, explore and go on a learning journey with young people? Afterall if you’re not prepared to give something a go because you don’t understand it what sort of example is that?!<br /><a href="" target="_blank"><br /></a>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7004793267161900862.post-81155532956152633802008-07-16T14:28:00.001+01:002008-07-16T14:28:31.905+01:00Villains from '80s Cartoons...<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/8MFP1T_X0DY' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/8MFP1T_X0DY'/></object></p><p>This is great...</p></div>Moghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02370747254837230278noreply@blogger.com0