May 2023

Between 11 – 14 May 2023, the annual spring Coordinators’ Meeting took place in Berlin, together with a meeting of the Social Media working group of the network. The programme allowed for many spaces for exchange and collegial consulting between the volunteers who lead the national teams of trainers in their countries. A thematic focus was set on diversity management in volunteering. Team member Lena Strehmann presented a strategy for the network to become more diverse and inclusive in the coming years and the coordinators had time to map out next steps to implement this strategy in their local contexts. Apart from that, there was an external input by psychologist Dr. Anja Benesch on resilience, compassion and mindfulness, reacting to the struggles the young volunteers had voiced throughout the year in times of multiple crises, such as the war in Ukraine, the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and the blockage of the Lachin corridor connecting Artsakh to mainland Armenia. The participants learn about ways to support themselves in times of emotional stress, as well as how to show support to others. The evening programme highlight was watching the Eurovision Song Contest together with volunteers from 11 different European countries.