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Flash Fair 2009 in Namur: review

On November 20th 2009, Marta Jimenez, Spanish volunteer, and myself, represented Dynamo International at the flash fair 2009 in Namur (Belgium), an event that has been held for over ten years now by hundreds of young volunteers. It aims to raise awareness and to equip people for active citizenship.

Based on role-play, it offers varied activities and allows people to find specific projects to carry out at the local and international level. The aim of this fair is to bring young people to commit to specific projects from the non-profit world and to facilitate their access to them.

Numerous associations and NGOs were there to present their projects. Students from sixth form as well as classes of specialized educators and social workers came to visit the fair. We had a stand there representing Dynamo International and our activities. We started by introducing the NGO, the International Network of Street Workers and the four projects which we directly support in the South, and then gave a little taster.

We had prepared a role play for the students during which we asked them to put themselves in the skin of a young person in a developing country, in the street, ill, with only one euro to care for themselves and to live. They then had to tell us what they would do in this person’s place. The answers were very varied, each young person played the game with good humor, to my great surprise. Some didn’t even doubt that in many countries young people and children live in the street or prostitute themselves to survive. Others proposed relevant solutions as regards the reality of developing countries.

Then I talked to them about our “International Mobility” service and the projects that they could carry out and get involved in as citizens. I noted that a fair number of them felt affected, and took the information to do volunteering. Others, of course, thought that is was good but didn’t want to do anything more. Marta talked about her European Volunteer Service and her experience here in Belgium.

Some young people came with specific projects that they wanted to carry out after their studies or between secondary school and university, and asked for information on the different programs that we offer.

This was a very interesting day. It allowed me to meet young people and to see what they’re interested in, to understand their demands and the circumstances they are in today. I now have a better understanding of how to present a project to them by pointing out the eye-catching points.

Looking forward to doing it again next year!

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