For centuries Europe has been a crossroads of migrating and travelling peoples, coming from both inside and outside the continent. In recent years the composition of the populations of European countries has become more diverse, multi-ethnic and -cultural. Currently Europe is experiencing the mass influx of refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa, as well as asylum-seekers looking to provide a better future for themselves and their families. How is it to come in a new world? How do you find a new home? Do you find a new home, or will you always be longing to the place you were born? Can you adjust to another culture? Do you need to adjust to another culture. These questions will be the central issues we aim to focus on in this exchange, using diverse narrative methods. Often the sources of conflicts between people are cultural differences and the fear for each other. Groups with diverse cultural backgrounds focus more on differences than on similarities. In some, mosty urban, areas these conflicts are more on the surface. In culturally diverse neighborhoods, for instance in cities like Paris and Amsterdam, you can sometimes almost feel the tensions. In previous projects we proved it is possible to connect youth with different backgrounds, let them share experiences and establish sustainable friendships. We believe this is fundamental in these times of social divergence. Therefore we organize this exchange between young people from culturally diverse neighborhoods in Amsterdam and Paris.This non-formal meeting of young people creates space to interconnect, share experiences, stories, ideas & visions for the future. With this project we have the following objectives: 1. To empower young people in intercultural dialogue 2. To encourage and enable young people to use non-formally acquired narrative techniques 3. To create space to meet and celebrate cultural diversity 4. To encourage and inspire young people to become active citizens in their local areas Among many non-formal methods, we will use Storytelling and Discussion techniques to facilitate the dialogue; however we will also implement important methods such as group discussions, sharing experiences and peace circle reflections.Storytelling, dialogue and– appreciative listening have been a part of human culture since the beginning of time. It is an oral tradition, which does not require literacy or any other skills than what one is born with – the gift of speech and the power of appreciative listening. As such it is available to anyone across the globe and addresses civil society on a broad level as folk culture. Storytelling enhances speaking, learning and eventually also reading and writing skills, and supports the expression of complex emotions and life experiences through the power of speech. We know that when one can't express oneself adequately, there is a risk that the pressure building up on the inside comes out rather aggressively. Developing storytelling and other narrative activities in this context can be seen to have an important preventive effects on future crises, conflicts and misunderstandings at all levels of society. The speaking and listening in a community has provided a forum for existential life questions and a transferring of wisdom and experience through the generations and can be seen as a non-formal teaching-learning situation where important life skills are exchanged. This wave between people is a horizontal activity which strengthens tolerance, understanding and compassion and helps to hold together a society in moments of strain and unrest. It also stimulates the faculties of creative imagination, a human ability without which we will not find our way forward into a viable and co-creative future. In this project participants will learn the following competences: 1. Communication skills, both to speak and to listen; 2. Presentation and expression skills; 3. Self confidence; 4. Social as well as self awareness skills; and 5. Self control and self management skills. Practical details about the project:Travelling Stories: Migration and Dialogue Duration of project: 3 months all together. Main 6 days are meetings of participants. Venue: Het Wilde Westen, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Countries: The Netherlands and France Number of participants: 7 from France, 8 from the Netherlands, 18 in total Activities: * In every partner country a preparatory meeting with selected participants, regarding vision and mission statement of the school and the practicalities of the workshop * 6 day (international) Travelling Stories meeting in The Netherlands; * 1 final presentations of the result of the exchange program; * Presentations in both partner countries for other actors involved in peacemaking and conflict resolutions; * In both partner countries a concluding meeting with participants including feedback and evaluation.