Mare Nostrum

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Mare Nostrum

The first pre-Forum event took place in Primosten, Croatia from April 10-12, 2019 and it coincided with Croatia’s network members annual meeting. The event titled MARE NOSTRUM focused on youth; challenges, mobility, employment, opportunities for business development, education, and best practices exchange, what’s is Mediterranean today, how they relate to being a ‘Mediterranean’, what is Mediterranean culture to them today.

HoNs from the following 20 countries attended: Austria, Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Italy, Morocco, Ireland, Lithuania, Jordan, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Luxemburg, Poland, Greece, Algeria, Slovenia, Turkey.

The two-day program also coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the Croatian Network for Cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean in the framework of Anna Lindh Foundation.

This pre-Forum event was used for the presentation of youth projects – exchange of good practice examples with the following projects being presented:

  •  Youth and EU – Croatia
  • Resilient Thessaloniki – Greece
  • Center for Youth – Croatia
  • NIAK Intercultural competencies for social cohesion & integration in Ireland – Ireland
  • Famagustawhitenights – Cyprus
  • Program Open Institute – Spain
  • Activism and volunteering of young people in the community – Croatia
  • Social Entrepreneurship Caravan – Turkey
  • Philanthropy and the youth – Croatia
  • Mediterranean theater – Italy

An Oxford-style debate by Young Mediterranean Voices with audience participation took place as well. The motion of the debate, proposed and selected by the young debaters, was: Virtual exchange is the best tool to revive the youth Mediterranean identity. Debaters were: Danijela Svirčić (Croatia), Aissam Benaissa (Algeria), Fatima Boulahdoud (Morocco) and Burak Yusmak (Germany). The debate was moderated by Najra Krvavac (BiH).

Anna Lindh Foundation and Germany’s HoN presented Erasmus + Virtual Exchange -

Intercultural learning experiences, highlighting what makes it unique:

  • Scalability and inclusivity
  • Experiential learning
  • Community of trust
  • Learner-led approach

They presented an actual Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange debate with the motion THBT all citizens over 18 who do not vote should pay a fine. Debate participants were from Italy, Algeria, and Morocco.

The general impression of all participants: The importance of unity, of what we have in common, not what divides us - migration, tolerance, stereotypes, unemployment, youth, Mediterranean identity - how can we present what unites us?

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