Newsletter 5/2003 December

What work could work in work camps and why?

The concept of youth exchange is being modernised putting emphasis on capacity building

By Anders Ølsgaard Larsen, MS Exchange, Denmark

How do we best utilise the resources of young people in work camps? Do we need to experiment with new activities in work camps? Can youth work be a substantial contribution to poverty eradication? How can intercultural co-operation be systematically planned for and measured?

These were some of the questions explored and debated in two workshops held in September and October in Kampala. The participants, invited by MS Exchange Department and MS Uganda, represented five MS-partners involved in youth work and work camps: Jamiia Ya Kupatanisha (JYAK), Uganda Pioneers’ Association (UPA), Recreation for Development and Peace, (RDP), New Sudan Students’ Association (NESSA) and East African Work Camp Association (EAWA).

Still work camps, but with new content

Experiences gained in another MS country programme, Nepal, formed point of departure for the first workshop. The Youth Co-operation Programme (YCP) has been an innovative attempt to give work camps a new, modernised focus by complementing or replacing the traditional construction activities (e.g. building a school room, latrines, clinic etc.) with small scale advocacy and lobbying activities or information work, e.g. a sensitisation campaign. Training sessions at the beginning of each camp equip the participants with the necessary skills to carry out the activity, and these skills can later be put to use for the participant’s organisation. Seen this way youth exchange is not only about the meeting of cultures, but also about building organisational capacity. 

The workshop participants agreed on the need to experiment with new approaches. Construction camps are expensive, often not completed in time and have attracted fewer and fewer participants in recent years.

On the other hand the local communities, in which the work camp takes place, often only count physical activities as a real contribution. For many, the word ‘work camp’ simply means ‘young people constructing something’.

Planning ahead 

The idea is to experiment with the new approaches in Uganda through a series of work camps, which take in selected elements of the Youth Co-operation Programme. In turn each of the five organisations will arrange a camp with members from the other organisations and young Danes as participants.

Between July and October 2004 some young people will get the chance to help improve primary health care in Bukomero sub-county, carry out environmental conservation in New Sudan or use theatre as a tool for sensitisation on HIV/Aids. They may also promote intercultural understanding through training, sports and culture or acquire new skills in peace building.

The road ahead

Though not all features of the YCP have been incorporated in the proposed work camps, an important step in exploring the potentials of international youth exchange has been taken. Young people, who have experienced making a truly meaningful contribution together with other young people, are essential for the vitality of MS in partner organisations in Uganda or as members in Denmark.