Youth Hostels and Calypso Presentation of Igor Jurii

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Youth Hostels and Calypso Presentation of Igor Jurišič President of HI Slovenia Rome, 2

Youth Hostels and Calypso Presentation of Igor Jurišič President of HI Slovenia Rome, 2 nd of March 2010

Why Youth Hostels? Ø More than a century of experiences Ø Special attention to

Why Youth Hostels? Ø More than a century of experiences Ø Special attention to youth with limited means Ø Network of more than 4. 000 Youth Hostels in more than 90 countries worldwide Ø Special programs for youth

Our mission Ø To promote the education of all young people of all nations,

Our mission Ø To promote the education of all young people of all nations, but especially young people of limited means, by encouraging in them a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside and an appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities in all parts of the world, and as ancillary thereto to provide hostels or other accommodation in which there shall be no distinctions of race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class or political opinions and thereby to develop a better understanding of fellow men at home and abroad.

Why are Youth Hostels different than other budget accommodation? Ø Meeting place and common

Why are Youth Hostels different than other budget accommodation? Ø Meeting place and common areas are of high importance Ø Interaction between guests is highly recommended Ø programs for young people are even more relevant than comfort Ø We have very high international standards obligatory for the whole network

How to describe a difference between hotels and Youth Hostels in one sentence? In

How to describe a difference between hotels and Youth Hostels in one sentence? In hotels standards are creating an atmosphere, but in Youth Hostels an atmosphere is creating standards!

EUFED – our European organisation Ø 19 Youth Hostel Associations in 16 European countries

EUFED – our European organisation Ø 19 Youth Hostel Associations in 16 European countries Ø operating 2. 566 Youth Hostels across Europe Ø serving 3 million members and Ø achieving more than 27 million overnight stays within Europe yearly

EUFED – role of EUFED represents the interests, at EU level, of the national

EUFED – role of EUFED represents the interests, at EU level, of the national Youth Hostel Associations of Europe and the young people who stay at Youth Hostels Ø Co-ordination, strategy building for the future and Ø advocacy for young people Despite their name, Youth Hostels are open to people of all ages. We welcome all persons with handicaps. Ø

CALYPSO - The main challenges from our perspective: To identify the young people who

CALYPSO - The main challenges from our perspective: To identify the young people who would be entitled to participate in such a programme as this age group is highly diverse, complex and not organised. (Example: only in Germany, there about 4, 4 million people older than 20 years with a migration background. About 2, 9 million of these young persons will never get more than 79% of the average income) Ø They might be young students, people starting a job, setting up a family, people who left school without qualification, long-term unemployed persons etc. Most of them are not organized. Ø

CALYPSO - The core questions for youth in the age 18 -30 are: Ø

CALYPSO - The core questions for youth in the age 18 -30 are: Ø Ø Ø How can a stay abroad be an enriching and powerful experience for people that would normally not get into contact? How can we empower young people to go abroad? How can international off-season programs contribute to self-esteem, long lasting positive memories, confidence, new skills and widened horizons for this specific target group?

EUFED’s programme proposal: Fair(travel) in company with young travel coaches - Preparing young people

EUFED’s programme proposal: Fair(travel) in company with young travel coaches - Preparing young people for social tourism”

The aim of this group is to work on concrete programs for social tourism

The aim of this group is to work on concrete programs for social tourism for young people and for young families. EUFED understands “social” tourism as making Europe accessible for all people’s regardless race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, class, or political opinions. For us, diversity is a positive and indispensable element for our society, for our associations and thus an enriching element in our everyday life. It is human beings and their relations that create the place. This definition also implies that tourism as such is always social. Nevertheless, it is on us to provide programs and an environment to make travel for young people and young families.

CALYPSO – Target group: Young people aged 18 -30 years who we want to

CALYPSO – Target group: Young people aged 18 -30 years who we want to travel to other countries, especially in the months outside the main summer period Ø Especially young persons from a minority or with a migration background Ø Disabled adult citizens, together with one accompanying person (if needed) Ø Families (children, parents and/or grandparents) certified by their country’s coordinating authority as facing difficult social (financial, personal and/or disability) circumstances. Ø

CALYPSO – The aim of the project: Ø The aim is to examine the

CALYPSO – The aim of the project: Ø The aim is to examine the challenges faced by young people as they want to travel and contribute to their mobility. The program explores the area of thinking and behavior, age boundaries while offering holistic high quality services.

CALYPSO – Furthermore Ø Ø Ø Linking all destinations of the to create a

CALYPSO – Furthermore Ø Ø Ø Linking all destinations of the to create a real inclusive “space or social tourism” in Europe (high quality standards, environmental standards, staff training). These destinations shall be “highlights” for intercultural and European exchange, mutual learning, well-being and hospitality which also integrate the local environment develop holistic programs driven by the needs and the participation of the participants (ownership of the issue through personal commitment over the whole project life-cycle) create common places to meet and exchange of ALL groups which means also to create a network of the tourism partners involved and common management structures only program partners with a strong commitment to responsible/social tourism and strong ethical and environmental criteria and quality standards are eligible to take part EUFED supports the code of conduct for tourism for all, www. accessibletourism. com

CALYPSO: ESSENTIAL elements for the success of a program: Ø Ø Ø Ø Preparation

CALYPSO: ESSENTIAL elements for the success of a program: Ø Ø Ø Ø Preparation (social, psychological, financial, organizational) and accompany of the participants and a continuous training and consultation of the persons responsible to prepare and accompany the young voyageurs organizing language courses ensuring high quality standards among the participating organizations. (Youth Hostels are the only youth accommodation with a quality management structure) create a service provider network to facilitate exchanges and mutual inspiration about accommodation, preparation, accompany, catering, transport, services, leisure time etc. AIM: to create a high quality infrastructure which is constantly improved Evaluation of the tour providers, programs, local hospitality against “green washing and cosmetics” (Continuous adaptation of the programs via active participation of the target group to guarantee a long term perspective) ACCESS via web portal and a “European/Calypso Vademecum” with advises and suggestions for the participants how to behave, where to find information, help etc. , both on-line and as a paper version

Specific objectives Ø Ø Develop formal and non-formal learning pathways: the participation of a

Specific objectives Ø Ø Develop formal and non-formal learning pathways: the participation of a larger number of young people in cultural and language stays supports further formal and non-formal education and training. Transfer knowledge and experience of formal trans-national EU educational programmes (most notably Comenius and Erasmus) to participants, by, for example, engaging Erasmus students in the host communities as "animators", mentors, etc, for the visiting groups of young people. Clarify issues relating to health, safety and security of participants, in accordance with EU and national legislation and guidelines. Finalise terms and conditions of insurance cover for hosts and participants. Promoting projects and partners by developing a special information portal and by making use notably of the European Youth Portal. This portal, accessible in various languages, provides information concerning education, work, volunteering and youth exchanges, as well as practical information (accommodation, transport, costs and discounts) about each EU Member State for young people wishing to travel there.

Expected results Improve the economic viability of organisations providing not-for-profit services for young people

Expected results Improve the economic viability of organisations providing not-for-profit services for young people discovering Europe, guaranteeing safety & security at high quality standards and favour the creation or preservation of long-term jobs. Ø Contribute in a concrete manner to the development of a European identity and sense of citizenship. Ø Promoting the sustainability of the project by creating the first real European Network on facilitators of international youth exchanges. Ø

Thanks for your attention! Presentation was prepared by Igor Jurišič, president of HI Slovenia

Thanks for your attention! Presentation was prepared by Igor Jurišič, president of HI Slovenia with a full support of Mrs. Constanze Adolf, operating director of EUFED