18th ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
"PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE INTERNATIONAL LGBT YOUTH MOVEMENT"
31st October - 6th November 2004
Sofia, Bulgaria
in cooperation with:
Bulgarian Gay Organization GEMINI.
| Presentation | Application Form |
| Programme | Report |
| Practical and Financial Conditions | Photo-Gallery |
with support of:
 Directorate of Youth and Sport Council of Europe |
 HIVOS |
| Messages of Greetings to the Conference marking IGLYO's 20th ANNIVERSARY! |
Candidates must fill in and send the enclosed application form as early as possible. Deadline is 20th September 2004.
Prep team: Jasna Magic, Suzy Byrne, Dennis van der Veur, Greg Czarnecki.
PRESENTATION
In 1984, a few courageous young LGBT activists decided to set up the International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organisation (the name was later changed into International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Youth & Student Organisation). For the first time in history, LGBT youth groups and organisations had a platform where they could meet, exchange experience and find inspiration for their work.
Twenty years later, in 2004, we celebrate this milestone. IGLYOs 20th anniversary is not only a celebration of IGLYO as such, but also stands for 20 years of courageous activism of many people around the globe, who have worked and are still working on the local, regional or national level for the improvement of the lives of lesbians, bisexuals, transgender and gay men.
For this reason, this years conference will be dedicated to Past, Present and Future of the LGBT Youth Movement. While learning about the roots of LGBT youth activism, we will study the changes of (LGBT) youth work over the years, look at new emerging problems in our society and even more, try to define a LGBT Youth Agenda 2004+. Being in an intercultural and international environment, we have a unique opportunity to explore to what extent the situation of LGBT youth differs per country (or region). In other words: the past of lesbian daily reality in Sweden may still be the present of lesbian daily reality in Malta; the future challenges of a young gay man in Czech Republic may still be wishful thinking for his peer in Byelorussia.
We will explore past, present and future aspects of the LGBT movement in a very dynamic, interactive way. By exploring those issues from the angle of securing sustainability and continuity in existent flow of GLBT youth work. We will enable sharing of information as well as tools for successful continuation of courageous work LGBT activists implement on the national as well as international level.
Objectives
- to review examples of practices used by LGBT organisations in the past and form a comparison with the present work
- to develop methods to increase motivation on a personal as well as professional level of working
- to attain practical tools needed for securing organisational sustainability and continuity
- to empower existent LGBT organisations / groups and individuals working in the field of LGBT youth activism
- to raise historical awareness
- to create an agenda and basis for future work and cooperation
Programme
The seven-day programme will include:
- A theoretical and practical exploration of the concept of youth activism from a personal, political and social human-rights perspective;
- Workshops to practice personal and organisational skills in order to raise motivation and thus enable and guarantee the continuity and sustainability on the national as well as international level;
- A safe environment for all participants to learn more about LGBT youth activism from both; the past as well as present perspective;
- Women's space;
- The development of a combined practical and theoretical framework for individuals and organisations which will raise a better understanding of importance of LGBT activism and stress the the role of activists in the movement;
- Opportunity to meet leading activists in the field of LGBT youth movement
- A historical moment;
- The development of tools to strengthen LGBT youth organisations through capacity-building workshops;
- A chance to participate in the creation of 2004+ agenda and thus securing the future of international LGBT youth activism
- ? A social programme including intercultural evening, a Bulgarian day, and a welcome and closing (celebration) parties.
Working methods
The working methods will vary from dynamic and interactive, to theoretical debate based workshops; emphasis will be on small working groups. IGLYO expects a great deal of input of experience from participants themselves (peer-to-peer education). The tools and resources developed during the conference will be made available to all organisations after the conference, so they can be multiplied in their local/regional/national/international youth communities.
Participants' profile
The course is intended for IGLYO members, young LGBT activists, and representatives of LGBT (youth) organisations who:
- Are between 18 and 27 years of age;
- Are interested in sharing experiences and want to further explore the topic of the conference;
- Are able to work in English;
- Have some experience (even if little) related to the topic of the conference (we are looking for beginners as well as experts);
- Can act as multipliers within their own organisations and/or communities;
- Are committed to setting up follow-up activities after the conference;
- Are able to attend for the full duration of the activity.
We would especially like to encourage women and LGBT young people from other minority groups to apply for this conference!
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Practical and Financial Conditions
Working languages
The conference will be held in English. There will be no simultaneous translations provided.
Venue and dates
The conference will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria between Sunday 31st October (welcome party in the evening) and Sunday 6th November (departure).
Participation Fee
Participation fee for the conference is 80 Euros - for individuals from EU member states - and 50 Euros for Non-EU countries, including accession states. Bulgarian participants fee is 30 Euros. No exceptions will be made. This fee includes participation in the programme and accommodation as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Travel reimbursement
Due to limited finances to hold this conference, IGLYO is has restricted options for reimbursing all travel costs. IGLYO encourages every participant to look into local funding and scholarship possibilities (e.g. Open Society Institute). Please fill in the application for travel reimbursement if you want to be eligible for reimbursement. Participants are required to arrange their journeys in the most economical way (APEX tickets, student fares ... etc.).
Successful participants will be reimbursed on the basis of the shortest and least expensive route between their place of residence and Sofia, Bulgaria. Applications which do not indicate the approximate price of the ticket will not be taken into account. Visa costs will also be reimbursed. Payment will be made either by bank transfer or in cash at the end of the conference.
IMPORTANT
IGLYO highly recommends all participants to look for funding for their travel from external sources. Currently we are able to cover the maximum amount of approximately 300 Euros. It is important to stress that we are still working on additional fundraising and urge everyone to apply regardless, as we are exploring quite a few options that will hopefully enable us to increase the current maximum amount. IGLYO can and will assist you in getting the needed financial support with a letter to possible funders.
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