The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 1 March, 2012

THE VSS HERALD

3rd EDITION

MARCH 2012

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 2 March, 2012

Who is the mole?EDITOby Joshua Fitoussi

We already know the Sunflower, it’s our logo, a symbol since the first VSS in Vigy 2008. In 5 years the logo and des ign evo lved considerably. But what about this animal that looks like a beaver?First of all, it’s not a beaver, it’s a mole. You will see during your stay in Latvia this animal around our Venue.Then, every year, a Summer Summit has a mascott. In France it was the frog, in Turkey the lama, last year in Portugal, we can say that it was the Parrot. This year, it’s the Mole.What’s its name? What does it want? We only know that the mole is in love with Miss Sunflower...What about a game then? Write a short story about the mole and Miss Sunflower, and it will be shown as a comicbook on the 5th and final issue of the Vss Herald on June 2012.Send it to gizem.bayer@afs.org by May 15th.

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What’s in it?Edito.......................................................2

10 reasons to be at the VSS.................3

A Lama Story.........................................4

Deniz Kücük..........................................5

The Trainers..........................................6

The VSS Theme...................................11

Latvia...................................................12

What’s Next?.......................................16

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 3 March, 2012

In the first Herald, we gave you 10 reasons to be a the VSS, among them were the International atmosphere, the networking, the wonderful activities, and above all it’s in Latvia.This time, we give you 10 more reasons to be at the VSS, and we are not joking at all when we tell you «VSS is the most tremendous event of the year in the AFS network».

10 More Reasons to be at the VSSBy Balazs Lato and Joshua Fitoussi

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OPEN-MINDED DISCUSSIONSHAPPY COFFEE BREAKSMEET THE MOLE

AFS VOLUNTEER FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD

PROMOTE YOUR COUNTRYPERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

CREATIVE IDEASPRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

IMPRESSIVE VENUE

GLOBAL EDUCATION TOPICS TO CHANGE THE WORLD

The VSS HERALD, 2nd Edition 4 February 15th, 2012

A Lama Storyby Gizem Bayer

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Let me first explain why this is called “a lama story”.

Among my strong memories of the VSS 2009, there are two things still make me laugh crazily. The first one is; the lamas of the venue and the second one is; the annoying roosters in the yard of the Support Team room. I know you are wondering what this is all about but first, let me talk about the VSS 2009; afterwards I’ll get back to this.

The summer of 2009 is probably the happiest, the most crowded and lovely summer of my life. It was such a summer where I found myself into something called Support Team which definitely changed every aspect of my life from past to today. It was the year I fully became an informed and a devoted volunteer with an invaluable understanding. The Summer Summit 2009, the time I was a Support Team member is the reason why I’m sitting in the EFIL office as the EFIL intern and a Prep Team member.

When we had the first Support Team meeting, I didn’t have any idea what the Volunteer Summer Summit was. I had been involved couple of big AFS events before, but this one was HUGE! We had meetings almost every day in the AFS office in Istanbul, talking about the ideas, discussing the things to be done, what to present and how can be a great help to the participants and to the trainers. And of course, we needed a venue where we could be close to the nature with enough luxury. Luckily we found a totally new, huge and green grassed hotel in a small village 30 kilometers away from Istanbul. The hotel was rearranged according to our needs. The rooms were doubled, beds were moved and even the house of the owner was taken as the Support Team room. This was the place in which I had taken a note on my notebook “kill the rooster before it starts to crow” which they basically did at the break of dawn, when we went to the bed to sleep!

When everything was well arranged, it was time to get to the venue. Support Team, Prep Team and Trainers had already arrived to the venue and were trying to get to know each other. In the middle of a controlled stress, teams were helping each other and hundreds of smiles were floating in the air.

The placements of the reception was done, TSOs were ready, Prep Team was crazy and the Support

Team, obviously without noticing the days nearing, was having a lot of fun and getting cozy while working. The Trainers Team was a great one, all the workshops topics were selected with a great effort and presentations were done very well. Of course at that time, we didn’t have the track system or the long breaks after lunch. It was the time of “unplanned responsibilities”.

On the day of arrival, after spending some hours at the international airport to pick up our groups (my group was the awesome French one and we are still in touch!) we were on our way to Polonezkoy. Sitting on a shuttle full of nationalities and exciting faces, the Support Team and the participants had already become friends. When the massive pile of AFSers arrived to the VSS venue, our unforgettable journey had started. We were ideally supposed ‘’to run’’ all the time. Drive back and forth. Checking the workshops rooms, assisting to the trainers, attending to the wonderful workshops (well, this was the tricky part) avoiding the poignant look of our of Turkish trainer king of all time; Hazar, who was a Prep Team member at that time and of course having priceless time with everyone else, we were enjoying the great atmosphere of the VSS. The weather was quite warm, The Support Team was begging with their eyes to be pushed into the swimming pool by their lovely supportive friends and it always worked. The Turkish Bazaar was arranged for the first time in 2009 which then became the traditional AFS trading and sharing market of the VSS!

The community project to help a new orphanage was a huge success and had gotten all the participants to take a toy or an educational kit from their own country. Many creative workshops were done on the community project day; including the painting ceramics, painting, photography etc. The spirit of Summer Summit was growing into something undefinable.

Apart from the ducks, geese, rabbits, peacocks, killing voice of turkeys and cows; the extra-ordinary animal of the VSS was definitely the lamas! They were our stubborn escorts which would shamelessly come and take our food from the plate or it was possible and very normal to see some participants running from a Lama which was also being chased simultaneously by a cow! Everybody had his share from the lamas.

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 5 March, 2012

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I believe we can all agree that VSS is one of the greatest AFS organizations. Coming back together with old friends, making new friends, learning and sharing a lot...

Remembering how great of an idea it was to become AFSers, and going back our homes with great new memories. Well, the VSS that was held in Istanbul/ Turkey in 2009 was not any different either.The ones who attended that year would remember. The LAMAs at the venue were the most popular subject of the whole event. I don’t like to disappoint you guys but those lamas that you loved very much were not always that innocent. : )Being support team, we stopped thinking like normal people after some time, or maybe I should correct it to ‘we stopped thinking’. I don’t know where our brains had gone at that point. It was that serious that one night, when

four of us were out in the garden checking on whatever, seeing a COW running away from a LAMA that following it, seemed the funniest thing in the world. We just stood up there and started watching the lama chasing a huge cow. Well, after that it is not funny anymore because the cow was not laughing. He stopped a little further than us, and the lama as well. They were looking at us one after other, and we were thinking about any prayer that we might know. We couldn’t move until first the cow, then the lama started running towards us! : ) Now we were all running to different directions, THEY WERE BEHIND US! When we could make it into one of the buildings finally, I’m still not sure if it was a hallucination or not – but I am almost sure that I saw a chicken that was also running inside with us!

Deniz KüçükSupport Team member - VSS 2009

On the last day of the VSS while the photos were being showed in the

ballroom; accompanied by the song “Heal the World” many people were shedding tears with emotion. All the

teams were on the stage, people were having the best of the VSS and it was

the moment the lamas were applauded very highly when one of them entered into the ballroom to

greet all of us.

That’s how the VSS in Turkey became the Lama Story! The Support Team- Istanbul 2009

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 6 March, 2012

INTRODUCTION TO

PORTUGAL, DENMARK, SLOVAKIA, GERMANY

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 7 March, 2012

HUNGARY, TURKEY, BELGIUM, EARTH

THE TRAINERS by The Trainers

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 8 March, 2012

THANAKON (POP) THIWAWONG

Slovakia

I h a v e b e e n a n A F S volunteer for AFS Slovakia since 2008 as I study here in the university. I am finishing my bachelor studies in Internat ional Economic Relations this year. I am personally very interested in migration and I am so glad I can join the VSS again and this time as a trainer after m y p r e v i o u s V S S experience in Istanbul. The global education theme in VSS th is year is very exciting. As the world is becoming smaller, the more c u l t u r a l c o n f l i c t s a r e happening. That’s why I b e l i e v e t h i s k i n d o f education is very important and AFS can play the big role in it!

VIVIANA GALLIBelgium

Hallo everybody! I’m Viviana, originally from Italy, with a slightly teenager’s heart despite not being in my teen-years anymore. After moving a lot, I have now my “temporarily stable” home in Brussels where I work for a European youth organisation. I have been an exchange student to Germany, twice host sister, staff member of Intercultura (AFS Italy) and since last year member of the EPOT.I strongly believe in the mission and the potential of all AFS volunteers to have a broader impact beyond the AFS world. This is the reason why I think Global Education is important and should always be at the centre of all AFS activities!Looking forward to see you all in Latvia!

NIELS DYRELUNDDenmark

I’ve volunteered for AFS since 2003, currently as nat ional host ing group coordinator in Denmark. I’ve h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f participating in the VSS twice, last year as a trainer. I’m a graduate student in international business and development studies, with a p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t i n sustainability and human rights. I’m very excited about ‘global education’ as this year’s topic! It gives us the chance to talk about AFS’s contribution in a broader c o n t e x t . I n t e r c u l t u r a l understanding is a great s p r i n g b o a r d t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e complexity of the global society!

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 9 March, 2012

CHARLOTTE KLINTING

Denmark

I’m one of those people who wish you could live off being a volunteer. Unfortunately, that rarely works, so I’m trying to get as much global experience as I can, ... I have volunteered for AFS since 2007, locally, nationally and internationally; including an internship at AFS International, a year at EFIL, and for the last six months I’ve been working with AFS Kenya on an extensive chapter development project, and now I work for a consultancy in Nairobi. I’m extremely excited about being a trainer at the VSS - firstly because my experiencing withdrawal from organizing VSS11. workshop topics will reach beyond AFS and relate to the "outside world

DULIO SANTOS Portugal

Hello!! My name is Dúlio, I am 24, from Portugal and am cu r ren t l y l i v i ng i n B u d a p e s t . I w a s a n exchange student in the USA and I’ve been into volunteering and non-formal education ever since. I have lived in 6 different countries, have been enroled for 6 years in universities, I am an active member of 6 different organisations and my whole name has 6 names. One of them is not true… This year ’s VSS theme really takes the best out of volunteerism and I hope to be able to share and learn loads with everyone during this exciting event.

HAZAR YILDRIMTurkey

Merhaba, I am Hazar from Turkey and Cyprus. I am an 2002 AFS alumni to WI,USA. Since 2001, I have taken on almost any AFS related local volunteer roles there is inc luding many host ing, sending, training. I have been a member of EFIL EPOT since 2007 and have taken part in various EFIL trainings and study sessions. I am also one of the very few lucky people who have a t tended a l l f ou r Summer Summits, as a prep team member in France, coordinator in Turkey, trainer in Hungary and Portugal. I love AFS and volunteering and training are my biggest passions so I have been working as a V o l u n t e e r D e v e l o p m e n t Coordinator for AFS Turkey for the last 2 years. I am looking forward to another great VSS and meeting with all of you.

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 10 March, 2012

LIZA POPPERHungary

Hello there! My name is Liza, I am 23 and I live in the beautiful city of Budapest. I recently finished my studies I am currently being very occupied by trying to figure out my life, which is not an easy job to be frank. I went to the US in 05/06, have been a host sister 3 t imes and have been volunteering for AFS Hungary for 5 long years now. I have spent 7 wonderful months as an intern at the EFIL office in 2010, having the honor of organizing the Hungarian VSS. This year I am happy to challenge myself in a different role: the trainer’s one.. I gladly invite you all to take one step closer to the AFS mission, and join us in Latvia to tackle all aspects of Global Education

ANDRE GALVAO Earth

Hello everyone, I'm André, 37 years old, from Earth. I was born and I live on the city of Lisbon, and in 92/93 I spent one year with AFS on the other side of Earth by the Pacific ocean. Since then I've been an AFS volunteer and on the VSS2011 I worked in the Prep Team as the Support Team Zoordinator. Besides being a trainer with AFS I have also worked as a trainer with other NGOs regarding many topics covered by Global Learning and using non-formal methods. My wish is that after the VSS we go back to our lives and communities with a glimpse of the 'bigger picture', where we fit and the spirit to keep learning and unlearning. See you in Latvia :)

ANNIKA MENKEGermany

Hello! My name is Annika and I have been volunteering for AFS since I came back from Thailand in 2002. I’m living in Germany, trying to finish my studies in ( Intercul tural ) Pedagogy and working with Young Refugees. Apart from my AFS voluteering I have been doing trainings and c a m p f o r o t h e r y o u t h organisations, especially on aspects of Global Education – something I was missing in AFS. And so I am very glad about this year’s VSS topic! I am happy to be part of the trainers’ team and very excited about the linking of AFS topics to Global Education and finally come closer to our mission again! Looking forward to seeing you in Latvia!

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 11 March, 2012

The VSS 2012’s themeGlobal Education, Global Learningby Balazs Lato

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Global Education addresses the whole range of concerns that people of the world share, the issues that divide us, and the problems that we face. It is mission-driven education that promotes a common commitment to the world and its people. It encourages people to be aware of their actions and how these affect others. It promotes respect, tolerance, and justice. It demands that we look for ways to change the world when it does not meet these standards, when resources are unfairly allocated, when conflicts between people erupt in violence, when human rights are abused. It demands that we constantly reassess our efforts and the solutions we have tried.For AFS, this is more than an intellectual exercise connected with written materials and statements. AFS has always been people, and for AFS, Global Education is education that involves people in every way: intellectually, emotionally, morally, and experientially.

source: "A Global Education Framework for AFS"

Mix and Match !Can you connect these Global Education topics with their

descriptions?

1.Human Rights Education

2.Sustainable Development

3.Peace Education

4.Solidarity and Inclusion

5.Intercultural Learning

D. This framework has the

potential to deal with not only

legal justice, but also economic

and social justice, which is central

to development work. It makes the

human individual the owner, puts

the human person at the center of

the development process.

B. The competence of this area is a key factor in international

environments and fundamental to working with exchange students. The Council of Europe and the European Commission have adopted this topic as a key

methodological approach within their youth programmes and it

has become a quality feature of European youth work.

A. The concept of this Global Education topic should begin with an understanding of what valued

recognition entails and an intentional process of building

a political culture is needed of equal respect for groups who are stereotyped and denied value in our society. Its contents should

be fundamental values shared by all people.

E. "AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that

provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people

develop the knowledge, skills and

understanding needed to create a

more just and peaceful world." - AFS Mission Statement

C. This topic includes challenges

such as climate change,

globalization and

interdependence. It encompasses

some of the key ideas and

challenges facing the world today.

ANSWERS

1:D ; 2:C ; 3:E ; 4:A ; 5:B

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 12 March, 2012

LATVIA by Kitija Banele

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 13 March, 2012

Let’s learn more about Latviaby Kitija Banele

Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It has amazing culture, traditions, unforgettable landscapes, cities, castles, architecture. Nature is Latvia’s pride. 45% of the country’s territory is forest, it has 500 km long sandy beaches. There are four historical and cultural regions : Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale. Each region has something gorgeous, memorable.

The lagerst of them is Vidzeme. It lies in the north-east of Latvia and it has 9 regions. One of the major values of Vidzeme is its nature. Lakes and rivers, woods and marshes, valleys and hillocks – all of them make unique landscape of Vidzeme. It’s paradise for people who want to enjoy the peace and closeness of nature.

Vidzeme’s pride is Gauja National park. It’s the first national park in Latvia. The most important part is the valley of the River Gauja.

Walks along the stony seaside of Vidzeme are unforgettable. The stony seaside is 14 km long. Wile hiking along it all everyday’s troubles can be forgotten. Moreover there are several original nature formations in this nature reserve. For example Ķurmags Cape and Veczemju red cliffs. It is the most important nesting places for birds in Europe. In each region of Vidzeme it’s possible to visit several museums. Each of them is notable for something surprising and special. For example the museum of Munchausen. Hieronim Karl Fridirih fon Munchausen is the best liar and air-monger. When you are in this museum you will easily enter into the exciting spirit of fantasy. In Vidzeme are many castles that are preserved from different historical periods. Their beauty is enjoyable, architecture is amazing and

their history is breathtaking. Vidzeme’s most impressive castles are Turaida Castle, Livonija Order’s Castle, Āraiši lake Village, Dik ļ i Castle and Uldeven’s Wooden Castle. Here a lot of leisure activities are offered. It’s amazing to have the boat trip in Gauja river and in the same time enjoy nature. Vidzeme is a great place for hiking and having a rest from everyday routine.

Latgale is the land of blue lakes. Latvia’s biggest lake is Lubāns and the deepest lake in Baltic is Drīdzis that is 63 meters deep. Most amazing lake is Ežezers, because it has 36 islands. Very unique is Velnezers (the Devil’s lake) that is famous for its mysterious colors and legends that are told about it. 30% of Latgale’s territory is forest. The highest point of Latgale is Lielais Liepu kalns (The Great Linden Montain) that is 289 meters above the sea level. This region is characterized by great diversity of nature and climatic conditions, which make it different from other regions of Latvia. It has a typical continental climate, more severe winters with thicker snow cover. When you go to Latgale, it feels like you’re not in Latvia. First of all it’s because it has a large population of Russians, especially in Daugavpils which is the largest city in the region. People in latgale speak russian or a dialect called Latgalian. This region is unique by it’s language, traditions, nature, people. Latgale greets people with its p ic turesque v iews, var ied mosaic landscapes – lakes, hills and geological curiosities – great stones like in Nicgale (130 m3) that is Latvia’s biggest stone. Here is Aglona basilica, the world’s famous catholic religious centre that attracts thousands of faithful from many countries to celebrate the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.

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The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 14 March, 2012

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The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 15 March, 2012

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Latvia. It’s a very peaceful region. Only 6% of its territory is occupied by cities. The high soil fertil ity and relatively unpolluted agricultural and natural areas are significant advantages of Zemgale, which defines the potential for agricultural development and specialization. Zemgale is crossed by two major Latvia’s rivers – Daugava and Lielupe. The Lielupe begins at the confluence of the Mēmele and Mūsa rivers in Bauska. Zemgale’s best place for people who loves nature, fishing. There are amazing castles. For example Rundāle Palace which is one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo art in Latvia. It was designed and built under the supervision of the outstanding Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who designed the Winter Palace.

Kurzeme is the sea’s region. It has long beaches. Its northeastern boundary is the river Daugava, which separates it from the regions of Latgale and Vidzeme. To the north, Courland's boundary is the Gulf of Riga. On the west it is bordered by the Baltic Sea, and on the south by Lithuania. The landscape generally has a low and undulating character, with flat and marshy coastlands. The interior features wooded dunes, covered with pine, fir, birch, and oak, with swamps and lakes, and fertile patches between. There are amazing fishing villages along the Baltic sea coast, notional nature parks. A lot of impressive, different animals live in the most remote national park of Latvia – Slītere National Park. It’s preserved for those who

are collecting wild animals on photography. Bird watching in Latvia is wonderful. In Ķemeri National park, there are nearly 260 to the 342 species of birds that have ever been spotted in Latvia nest.

The most beautiful middle ages city of Latvia is Kuldiga, it’s also one of the most romantic cities of Latvia too and it has marvelous castles.

Latvia can be proud not just of its nature but also with its culture ans traditions. Latvia has a very beautiful language. Every sentence sounds like song’s verse. It’s perfect for songs. Maybe that’s why Latvia is the nation who sings. Every latvian is proud of Song and Dance Festival. Latvian folksongs (Dainas) have a centuries old history and is estimated that over 1.2 million exist – making latvian oral tradition one of the r i c h e s t i n t h e w o r l d . D a i n a s a r e characteristically made up of quatrains, of fourlined stanzas, and their topic usually include philosophies on life, love and the world of older and the rites of passage surrounding birth, marriage and death. The Latvian Song Festival is a truly unique event. It can boast 20,000 people in national dress all singing in pride of their country at the same time. Perhaps that’s why they were recently bestowed by title of «Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity» by UNESCO.

Latvia has a lot of other wonderful, unforgettable things. It’s impossible to get to know Latvia by reading stories. All of it must be felt, seen, enjoyed by visiting Latvia!

The VSS HERALD, 3rd Edition 16 March, 2012

BALATON’S PLOTOF COURSE NOT, A LOT OF

SUPRISES AND ALSO...

WHAT’S NEXT?SUPPORT TEAM

SUPPORT TEAM

WILL THE NEXT ISSUE ONLY

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The VSS HERALD, 2nd Edition 17 February 15th, 2012

Hey my friends, don’t forget the contest about the Mole.

It will end on May 15th so send your short stories to Gizem Bayer at the EFIL OFFICE

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Design : Joshua Fitoussi/ Text : Joshua Fitoussi, Gizem Bayer, Balazs Lato, Kitija Banele, Deniz Küçük/ Pictures : Balazs Lato,

Joshua Fitoussi, Kitija Banele, Deniz Küçük