Basilicata is a small region in the south of Italy. Its countytown, Potenza, is only two hours by car from Naples and Bari, but its geographical position makes its socio-economical situation very different. In fact, most of its territory is rich in mountains and hills which make connections difficult, and young people – particularly in rural areas -do not have many cultural and social opportunities and can get in touch with few charities and volunteer associations.
CSV Basilicata is a Center of Service to Volunteer Work. That means that its mission, as an association, is that of giving support to all Volunteer Associations in Basilicata without charging them. It provides free legal and accountancy advice, organises training sessions and courses, spreads information about the associations and their activities through its monthly magazine, its newsletter and a website (www.csvbasilicata.it). Furthermore, CSV Basilicata promotes active citizenship and solidarity through meetings, seminaries and projects.
“Learning Solidarity” is the CSV Basilicata project for secondary schools. In every school of the region which takes part to the project those students or classes who want to know more about volunteer work and experience it are supported not only by their teachers but also by a CSV tutor (animatore). Tutors – volunteers between 25 and 30 who have been trained by CSV Basilicata to work with young people – help students to reflect on fundamental issues like solidarity, active citizenship, human rights, environment, immigration, handicap,and encourage them to plan activities (such as visiting elderly people, disabled people or children, organising events, etc.). What is more, very often students decide to support the campaigns of the associations they have had the opportunity to know better visiting them or through the experiences of volunteers they have met.
All the schools are part of a net, and exchange their experiences in every phase. Teachers are requested to attend training sessions togheter with tutors during the year, and in May, before the schools close for summer holidays, all the students who have taken part to the project are invited to a great regional meeting. The meeting is the event which allows all the people involved in the project to meet, show the results of their work to the other schools, discuss during the workshops about the positive and negative aspects of their experience and celebrate togheter the end of all the activities.
In the last four years thanks to “Learning Solidarity” hundreds of students have “discovered” voluntary work. Many of these students are now volunteers themselves. Some have even founded new associations in their villages.
Which shows – if necessary – that often all young people need is an opportunity...
Il testo è una sintesi del progetto "A scuola di
solidarietà" |