Four Young Arabs in Copenhagen

The first weekend in April 2 young Palestinians and 2 young Syrians travelled to Copenhagen to participate in the 6 day long International Leader Training Seminar (ILTS) organized by MS ActionAid Denmark. Participants came from all over the world to learn and develop their skills as young leaders. Here is a postcard from the four young Arabs.

Laura Toft Nielsen

25. May 2010

Nermeen Rafat, 20 years old, Palestine

I was introduced to the leadership training through Sharek Youth Forum, but the arrangement of my participation was done closely together with MS ActionAid Denmark in Amman. The trip was well organized. It was my first time on a plane, but I loved it. When we arrived to Denmark, we had to find the MS Center on our own, but people we met in the metro were very friendly. I had actually been a bit nervous about this, because I am wearing a scarf, but there were no problems at all.

The training was organized with a lot of “energizers” which made us participate actively. It was fun and there was a solution for any problems of cooperation. I really admired the trainers for their ability to make space for everybody and taking into consideration the cultural differences. Through games, music and dance we developed a shared understanding of what a good leader is, and every time we came with an idea the trainers asked us question to elaborate deeper into the meaning of a good leader.

Once in a while it was hard to follow the very intense program, but the trainers also made space for us to talk about our experiences of travelling for the first time. This was definitely a life experience!

Nour Makarem, 20 years old, Syria

I am engaged in the organization called NUSS (National Union of Syrian Students), which send me to participate in the leadership training in Copenhagen, and I had a great experience!

I am convinced that I can use my new leadership skills in my future life and in the work I am doing in NUSS, but the seminar didn’t only teach me leadership skills. It also gave me a good experience in how to meet new people and how to be considerate towards the other participants.

I think one of the best things was to get friends from different cultures during the many activities in the workshop.

Christine Rinawi, 21 years old, Palestine

I am a volunteer in the media unit of Sharek Youth Forum in Ramallah, and this NGO was the one to tell me about the Danish leadership seminar. Filling out the application on the internet was easy.

I learned a lot on this seminar about leadership. It was astonishing how creative the trainers and supporters from MS ActionAid Denmark were. We are not used to this kind of training, but it was great! Especially I liked the idea of dividing all the participants into family groups. Inspired by being in a family we worked together and supported each other. We learned together and from each other. We were not only watching - we participated actively. This was learning by doing, and I learned for example how to make my own campaign, and I actually think I can do it now.

The trip was well arranged and I was very satisfied about how we eat together and sleep together and how we were motivated to talk with everyone and not just our own group. Furthermore I think that Denmark is a beautiful country and people were very helpful!

Kenan Al Koudsi, 22 years old, Syria

I got on board the ILTS by being a volunteer in SARC (The Syrian Arab Red Crescent). They recommended me to MS ActionAid Denmark.

I believe that I can use my new knowledge about leadership, by sharing the information with other volunteers, keep the other trainers up-to-date with the new styles and techniques of leadership concepts, and trying to apply the method of ‘learning by doing’ on other activities I am engaged in.

The trip was well arranged and enjoyable. We were thankful for all the facilities that were given which made our residence much comforting. I was bedazzled by the high standard of hygiene, but beside that I discovered that the Danish culture is rich of so many fantastic things and fabulous traditions like riding bicycle and the astonishing nature views. This part – the intercultural exchange was amazing!