With a background within international relations, development, politics and economy have we, Mia Beyer and Maja Hedin, become very interested in youth, empowerment and development, which thus have become our theme of our final master thesis in African Studies, at the University of Copenhagen. We have both worked with youngsters, among others, in Africa and have since we left, been felt with this urge for coming back to continue work and research.
As we have stated before Heartrebels’ aim is to break down barriers between cultures and people, and it focuses on local micro-processes in an attempt to build global platforms for communal growth through creative cooperation - and by going to Ghana we wish to extent our knowledge to qualify our work, as well as spread the word about social responsibility. Hence this is also one of the reasons for why we contacted the Ghana Friendship Groups.
The approach Ghana Friendship Groups are taking to development is very much in line with how we see and understand development and empowerment, which we regard as a participatory, sound and holistic approach of how to deal with matters, that may be obstacles in the process of making a more flourishing society for all. We have proposed to make/create different workshops in Ghana with the youngsters of the Youth House in Tamale in collaboration with the youngsters and Ghana Friendship Groups, and we are so grateful that this was met with a positive response. We are looking very much forward to start our research and work and meet all the people involved.
In august we will, together with the youngsters of the Youth House and Ghana Friendship Groups, be actively involved with a workshop focusing on youth and employment. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss matters surrounding youngsters and employment, share thoughts and experiences, as well as ideas of how to advance the possibilities, skills and capabilities that already exist. The Africa Commission will be having a conference in Accra the 5th of September 2008 with exactly the theme of youth and employment, and we hope that through our workshop, we will be able to collect material, which can be presented to the Africa Commission. We find that it is important that the African Commission get acknowledged about how youngsters of Ghana view themselves as a part of the work sphere and future economic growth, and we will do our best for the youngsters to get a voice when the African Commission will be talking about future planning of employment.
It is our belief that one must look at which individual and community assets that are present, rather than looking for what there may not be! Furthermore, we believe that the individual and the physical environment are interlinked and that there exist a synergetic effect, with one influencing the other. By combining these ‘spheres’ we regard that it may be possible to maximize existing resources, both on an individual and community level. In addition, from an empowerment research standpoint, which is evaluation focused, then we believe that change is achieved ‘through’ rather than ‘in’ communities.
The next six month we will be based in Ghana, Tamale, and during this period we will be researching for our thesis which overall considers how youngsters see themselves as generators for development, and which socio-economic factors that might influence their position. Workshops will be made in regard to our thesis, however, we will additionally with HeartRebels and the project ‘Art to Action – Social Innovation Ghana’, be making creative workshops that will cover everything from music, design and film workshops to new-media and entrepreneurship courses, as well as coaching. The aim of these workshops is to develop the youngsters’ skills, inter-cultural communication and artistic talents, as well as to showcase and sell their works locally and internationally. We hope that through initiating these creative workshops, which will be taking place over a three years period, export of the arts can expand and thereby help create sustainable growth.
Come and support the ‘Art to Action – Social Innovation Ghana’ project by joining us at this year’s TrailerPark Festival, which will take place from the 22nd - 24th of August 08 (www.tarilerparkfestival.com). All surpluses from this festival will go to the ‘Art to Action – Social Innovation Ghana’ workshops – so come along and spread the word ☺