

International Futures
A youth policy project in partnership with Stephenson College, Durham University on the purpose, practice and funding of international youth mobility.
About this PROJECT…
The experience of studying, volunteering or participating in youth programmes overseas can transform the outlook, wellbeing and career prospects of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They in turn add value to the host communities and institutions. Intercultural learning and cooperation enrich lives, encourage diversity, and enhance security and prosperity.
International Futures brought together young people from the UK and 15 other countries, to explore these issues and discuss the future promotion, organisation and funding of youth mobility opportunities. The project was co-funded by the EU Erasmus Plus programme (Key Action 3).
OBJECTIVE 1:
To explore how an international outlook adds value to business, science, culture and society.
OBJECTIVE 2:
To discuss the soft, transferable skills that employers are looking for, and debate how international experience develops these skills.
OBJECTIVE 3:
To explore what types of international exchanges young people consider to be most effective and relevant for the post-Covid world.
OBJECTIVE 4:
To agree the main thematic priorities for international youth programmes and projects.
OBJECTIVE 5:
To discuss what new mechanisms can be found to enable, promote and accredit international experiences.
OBJECTIVE 6:
To debate why international youth mobility is not given higher priority in education policy, and how this might be changed.
THE BACKGROUND TO INTERNATIONAL FUTURES
The concept of this project was developed by young people as a result of a previous youth policy conference organised by Momentum World in 2018, “Future Europe,Future You”. Since then, there has been a marked reduction in young people’s freedom and opportunity to travel abroad for educational and personal development purposes. For the first time, children are in danger of growing up with more limited horizons than their parents. Several factors are in play, including Brexit, Covid, climate change and rapidly rising costs of living.
At the same time, globalisation remains a significant feature of 21st century life. If countries, cities, communities and organisations require international connections in order to thrive, it follows that they also need citizens and employees who understand the wider world.
PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY
Participants on the project were given a 4-hour challenge to produce a series of short films explaining, in a non-formal way, why international mobility matters for young people.
HEAR THE PODCAST
A chance to meet 4 participants in a relaxed environment. They have come together for the first time from very different countries and cultures.In this podcast, they share their thoughts about the event, international opportunities and experiences, and their aspirations for the future.
INSPIRATION POSTCARDS
Meet some of the participants involved in this project
SEE THE POSTCARDS
The project involved interesting and diverse participants from 16 countries across Europe. We asked them to share some words of inspiration in a creative way.
COUNTRIES INVOLVED
On this project we worked with partner organisations from 16 countries. FInd out more about them.
Meet the countries present on the event
Bulgaria
London
Estonia
Ukraine
THE CONFERENCE
FOLLOW-UP PROJECTS
After the Durham conference, International Futures participants worked on some of the key themes and developed nine outline proposals for future projects, which will be taken forward into full Erasmus+ or other funding applications in 2023.

MENTAL HEALTH FOR YOUTH
Project details coming soon

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR YOUNG UKRAINIANS
Project details coming soon

REDUCING PLASTIC WASTE
Project details coming soon

UNITY: INSPIRING AND MOTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE
Project details coming soon

TIME FOR TEA YOUTH ENGAGEMENT EXCHANGE
Project details coming soon

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
Project details coming soon

DISABILITY AWARENESS
Project details coming soon

PROTECTING PERSONAL LIBERTY
Project details coming soon

GO RURAL
Project details coming soon
news report
An article from the conference, written by UK participant Nathan Hamer.
International Futures
by Nathan Hamer
From 30th August – 6th September this year, 42 young people from 15 different countries came together at Stephenson College, in Durham as part of the ‘International Futures’ Erasmus+ funded KA3 international training course. Organised by CILL UK and Momentum World in partnership with Durham University.
The premise of the project was to promote the principles, value and impact of giving young people international opportunities, discuss the thematic priorities for this work, and explore how this can be organised, funded and accredited in the future. As a group of young people, we achieved these aims by organising a conference, building our project management and intercultural skills in sessions throughout the week, and then creating our own ideas for international projects that we will go on to implement in the coming weeks and months.
I feel immensely privileged and proud to be part of the project as a whole, but especially the conference. CILL/Momentum World, the organisers of the project, gave us the ‘bones’ of the conference – the venue, the guests, the topic of discussion. Then we had the task of bringing it to life and facilitating the day. We managed this in around 8 hours, having only just come together as a group the day before! Unbelievably, and maybe I’m biassed, but it was extremely successful. The guests were energised, the discussions weighty, and the talks inspiring. For me, it was a perfect example of what is achievable when you get a group of stimulated individuals together, and successfully facilitate their cooperation in reaching a common goal. I am extremely optimistic that this cooperation will continue in the future once we begin work on our own international projects. Some themes discussed were; Opportunities for young people in rural areas, Mental health, Reducing plastic, Raising awareness of disabilities, Support for young Ukrainians. Personally I will be working on a project supported by the ‘Time for Tea’ programme. Essentially it is a method to engage groups in social action, creatively, through the use of tea. To find out more visit time4tea.info.
Aside from all of the amazing work and development of participants that went on throughout the week, we naturally came together as a group. Sharing many great moments, hearing each other’s experiences and viewpoints. To summarise learning and understanding new people, places and cultures. “So many different people from different cultures but with the same values and understandings, willing to make a positive change. we barely knew each other but we created beautiful things together” – Paola, Bulgaria.
“Intercultural exchange programs are an opportunity to find and discover ourselves, they are an opportunity to make our existence a real interesting life”. – Amal, Morocco.
This project wasn’t my first experience of international mobility. Infact, for the past 4 years they have been a huge part of my life. I had hoped to pursue a career in the facilitation or coordination of international projects, although nowadays this isn’t an impossible goal, it is a substantial amount more difficult. I have also recently left a long-distance relationship with a woman from Spain, because there isn’t a clear or easy path for us to be together anymore, since the UK leaving the EU. Politically I am disheartened by the way things have gone these past few years, and personally I feel bitter and cheated by some of the decisions being made, without the interest of a lot of my generation, and others, being taken into account. I sincerely hope that we will see this change in the future, and to anyone out there playing their part in this change – Thank you.
On behalf of all the benefactors of this project, I would like to thank CILL UK, Momentum World, Durham University, everyone who attended the conference, and the Erasmus+ programme for making it possible.

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Telephone
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Address
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15 Prescott Place
London
SW4 6BS
