Inter
Aktion

Sharing IDEntities was a follow up of the KA2 project PRIDE - Prevent Radicalisation through Identity Development. PRIDE was a project to prevent radicalisation amongst young people, which brought together several strands from youth work, psychology, pedagogy and non-formal education. The goals of the project were capacity building for youth workers and youth organisations on one side and on the other empowering participating young people to research their personal migratory journey and the impact it had on their perception and the development of their identity.

Individuals who migrate experience multiple stresses that can impact their mental well being, including the loss of cultural norms, religious customs, and social support systems, adjustment to a new culture and changes in identity and concept of self. If the individual feels isolated from his or her culture, unaccepted by the 'majority culture' and has a lack of social support, a consequent sense of rejection, alienation and poor selfesteem may occur. Identity is the totality of one's perception of self, or how we as individuals view ourselves as unique from others. Cultural changes in identity can be stressful and result in problems with self-esteem and mental health. Contact between the immigrant, or minority, community with the dominant or host community may lead to assimilation, rejection, integration or deculturation.

 

The goal of this youth exchange was to support participating young people in their process of integration by bringing them together with youngsters, who are facing similar challenges in their lives and help them build a new identity.