Méthodologie

Throughout the preparation, implementation and follow-up of its intercultural exchange projects, PCF works in close cooperation with local partner organisations. Together they decide on the camp's focal subjects in order to maximise a project's contribution to the work back home. Cooperation details and responsibilities are mutually discussed and agreed upon.

Course methodology (an example)

"I and my personal identity"

A person needs a certain level of self confidence and poise to be able to engage freely and naturally with others. The aim of the first course unit "I and my personal identity" is to develop this level of self-assuredness. The basis of self-assuredness is the human body. Further elements are a person's biography as shaped by his/her family and the wider social context such as school, community or neighbourhood. Body, biography and social environment influence one another. Becoming aware of this interaction is one of the learning objectives. Awareness is mainly reached through exchange and communication with fellow youth who have a different biography, social context and body perception. Contrasting one's own identity with those of others illuminates differences and helps explaining them. A precondition for accepting others is acceptance of oneself.

"You and the group"

On the basis of this, various forms of communication can be practised in the peer group. The peer group is an important developmental step in the transition from puberty to adulthood. It offers young people a manageable environment in which they can develop shared ideas, stand up for their ideals, make allies, test boundaries and criticise injustice. To stimulate the employment of such resources is the focal point of the second step "You and the group". At this stage it becomes exciting to explore the "unknown", the "alien", the "unfamiliar" as a manifestation of characteristics of another group of human beings, of a different culture, and not – as in step 1 – as a manifestation of a different personal biography. This step paves the way for a new experience, namely that one's personal self-confidence can grow when the group as a whole is successful and not only as a result of one's personal action. It also shows that there are many ways to contribute to this group.

"We and the world"

The third step opens the view on the world as a whole. Now is the time to discuss political subjects such as children's rights or causes and prevention of racist violence. Possible subjects can be selected from the other chapters. Connecting and interlinking experience as an individual, as a group and as part of the world community is the aim of the third step "We and the world". As in the two previous steps, experience and communication within the group and exchange with other youth form the basis of the learning process. Therefore lecturing or direct instruction of content will be rarely employed.