7 Oct 2010

LAYF @ the TATE Modern 2009




The Latin American Youth Forum (LAYF) was created as an initiative of young Latin Americans to empower themselves and other young people from migrant communities, to become more actively involved in their communities, to promote a clear vision of their reality as citizens in a multicultural society and become more involved in addressing issues concerning their identity and how to break away from existing negative stereotypical images. Also, to create awareness of the real needs and expectations of Young Refugees and asylum seekers based on their own experiences. Many of the young people that have recently engaged with the project come from European countries as a consequence of the latest migration movements, but they often feel disconnected to European society and unable to address the concerns that they face.
The LAYF has developed an ongoing set of educational, artistic and recreational activities that have been delivered to young people from migrant communities, asylum seekers and refugees since January 2009. These activities give young people the opportunity to learn new skills, debate, discuss and play through arts; they also provide young people with critical thinking seminars and free spaces to communicate with people their age in regards to their concerns and ideas.

What is the general aim of the project and its specific objectives?

To empower young Latin-Americans to become more actively involved in their communities, to promote a clear vision of their reality as citizens in a multicultural society and become more involved in addressing issues concerning their identity and how to break away from existing negative stereotypical images. Also to create awareness of the real needs and expectations of Young Refugees and asylum seekers based on their own experiences.

Specific objectives:

To carry out an outreach program that will enable the young people themselves to take part and have a say about how to address their needs and to shape the services and opportunities provided.

To develop an ongoing set of educational, artistic and recreational activities that will bring young asylum seekers and refugees together, giving them opportunities to learn new things and play. These activities will equip them with necessary skills and the confidence to face life in London.

Our objectives are to establish strong communication and support networks between the partner organizations to provide services to young Latin-American refugees. These networks of support will strengthen the organizations themselves and the active participation of the young people in the different projects.

Setup youth steering and Lobby group with representatives of the different groups.

To hold a yearly forum planned and organized by the Latin-American youth (steering group) to showcase their work, and to raise their concerns to the policy makers and the authorities who will also be invited. By the engagement of policy makers it is expected that they will invite the Latin-American youth forum to their consultation process, and take them into account in the decision making process.



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