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Promoting gender equality and diversity in international youth work through the use of gender-sensitive language
GUIDE is an Erasmus+ project designed to promote the use of gender-sensitive language within international youth work to create a more inclusive and diverse youth work environment.
By sensitizing youth workers of the use and effect of gender-sensitive and gender-neutral language in international activities and on an organizational level of youth organisations, GUIDE will enhance the awareness and knowledge about gender equality and diversity of professionals working with youngsters. The project fosters inclusivity and diversity, sensitizes youth workers to the impact of language on gender equality, and empowers them to prevent gender discrimination. By reducing stereotypes, implementing gender-sensitive activities, and promoting social inclusion and equity, GUIDE provides a framework for modern youth work practices. In order to achieve the objectives of GUIDE we developed a workbook called GUIDEance for youth workers. GUIDEance equips youth workers with the tools and knowledge needed to foster inclusivity through gender- sensitive language. By understanding the significance of pronouns, adopting gender-neutral terms, and learning from country-specific practices, youth workers can create equitable spaces where every participant feels respected and valued.​
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GUIDEance
A key outcome of the project is the workbook "GUIDEance," which provides youth work professionals with knowledge on gender-sensitive language, gender equality, and diversity. It helps them reflect on and adapt their own communication and that of their organization. Theoretical foundations, practical exercises, and concrete guidelines support them in implementing gender-sensitive methods in their work and avoiding discriminatory structures. The workbook is being developed in collaboration with teachers, social workers, and volunteers to specifically tailor it to the needs of the target group.
GUIDEance
The first project outcome, “GUIDEance – Workbook to Gender
Equality and Diversity by the Use of Gender-Sensitive
Language”, focuses primarily on reflecting on one’s own use of
language and provides youth work professionals and educators
with practical tools for self-reflection and group work. Building on
this, the awareness-raising workshop “Let’s Be Inclusive” goes
beyond language reflection and aims to foster a practical
understanding of gender equality and diversity among young
people. As a structured educational format, the workshop offers
young people aged 13 to 20 the opportunity to engage
interactively with key issues of gender equality, diversity, and
empowerment, and to critically reflect on them.
The “Let’s Be Inclusive”-training is designed for youth groups of
all backgrounds and is particularly suitable for young people who
are interested in taking part in international youth exchanges.
The training is modular, interactive, and suitable for
implementation by youth workers, educators, or facilitators, both
nationally and internationally.
Coordinator:
iKoBi, Germany
Partner:
InterAktion - Association for intercultural coexistence - Austria
Mobilising Expertise, Sweden
Project number: 2023-3-DE04-KA210-YOU-000175960
Project duration: 1.08.2024 - 30/11/2025
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