Since 2005 we hosted several EVS volunteers in mu-zee-um and convinced by this positive experience we are enthusiastic to continue this cross-european exchange. The programme has meant a lot to the association, we believe the volunteers bring a unique dimension in the organisation. The project focuses on cultural participation in all aspects. The project aspires to stimulate art and cultural habits with children and young people. We want to involve new ideas and a widen scope of experience in the association. Coordination and exchange are keywords in this project. The project reflects learning opportunities for the volunteer as well as for us as host organisation. By hosting a volunteer we bring a long-term international dimension in the organisation. There are many learning opportunities for the volunteers like discovering many kinds of arts, new skills, a new language, involving children and youngsters in creative sessions and take responsibility to realise an own project. Ideas about that will be discussed together with the volunteer, in cooperation and in team. The volunteer will mostly work with young people and will be participating in workshops with them, but also get the opportunity to work together with them on projects. So the belgian or international youngsters are getting in touch with the different culture as well and can learn about cultural diversity by experiencing it in artistic or cultural projects. By setting up those projects theirselves with help of professionals there will always be a young spirit in all our actions which stays always international and open-minded through the participation of international volunteers. It’s a magnificent opportunity for volunteer and organisation in broadening perspectives and meeting another culture. The mutual fertilisation of volunteer and organisation is an idea we really like and appreciate. We will work together in a young and stimulating team. The volunteer project associates to the regular activities of our organisation and contributes to the development of the local community. Activities where the volunteer will be involved are : - follow, prepare, assist, lead sessions of groups in the musea/exhibitions/our atelier - prepare, assist and lead workshops for children, youngsters or adults - take part as a team member in different projects (on several disciplines of arts) - prepare and coordinate own projects/ideas (within the frame and philosophy of the association) - take part in the educational trips to other musea - administration: answer the phone, assist in reservations, welcoming groups Working hours - Monday till Friday 09.00 u – 16.30 u. At the end of the project the volunteer will receive a Youth Pass as a certificate of the project. The project involves the european volunteer,Phoebe Nicholson, the host organisation mu-zee-um vzw in Oostende, Belgium, and the sending organisation Condordia UK in Portslade (Brighton), United Kingdom. Normally Phoebe would joined the organisation mu-zee-um vzw for 12 months from January 2016 until December 2016, but due to personal circumstances in the UK, Phoebe quit her EVS-project in July 2016. mu-zee-um gives preference to candidates with the following profile: - enthusiastic and dynamic personality - willingness to learn the Dutch language (even take a course before the start of the project) - independent and eager to take initiative - some experience in the fields of art education or youth work is a surplus value - sense of humour - flexible and responsible And Phoebe was a candidate who is matching with this profile. We expect an enrichment for all involved partners: organisation, volunteer and local community. There will be benefits for all people involved in any way in the project. European volunteers will learn about another culture by experiencing and sharing another way of life, as well as exploring their own attitudes, habits and surrounding in confrontation with a local community with a different background, different cultural traditions and environment than their own. It’s impossible to describe the impact of EVS volunteers on the organisation. You really have to feel it, to experience it. It’s a very unique and opening spirit that makes the atmosphere and the dynamism of the organisation. The impact on the sending organisation and mu-zee-um, can also be interesting for a collaboration in the future. We are also open to discuss common projects. Through all project we want to achieve for the local community (and the volunteer) more understanding of the other culture in the other environment. A very concrete multiplying effect is that in Oostende there are more and more EVS volunteers (because they knew about the programme through the experiences of mu-zee-um). EVS only brings richdom to everyone involved, that’s for sure!