News

As short-term European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteers representing Tunisia, Spain, and Italy under System and Generation Ankara, our recent participation in the On-Arrival Training in Sivas proved to be both an incredibly enriching and fruitful experience. Organised and funded by the Turkish National Agency, this training offered a comprehensive deep dive into the core values, rights, and responsibilities that define our roles, while emphasizing the profound social impact of the ESC program. We explored key ESC values such as solidarity, inclusion, intercultural dialogue, active citizenship, and respect for diversity, reflecting on how these principles can be translated into meaningful action within local communities. The training also provided valuable insights into our rights as volunteers, including access to mentoring, learning opportunities, a safe and supportive working environment, and active participation in our volunteering journey. At the same time, we reflected on our responsibilities to contribute actively, respect cultural differences, fulfill our commitments, and act as positive ambassadors of the ESC programme. Through highly interactive and creative workshops, we not only sharpened our skills but also established a vibrant network, connecting with passionate peers from diverse organizational backgrounds and countries.

 

Reflecting on the experience, the volunteers shared their personal highlights:

 

Rania, Volunteer from Tunisia:

"The interactive and creative workshops truly brought us together. For me, it was incredible to connect with peers from so many different countries and build a network that makes our collective impact as volunteers so much stronger."

 

Alex, Volunteer from Spain:

"Overall, the training was a very good experience. It gave me the chance to meet people from different countries, share ideas, and learn new things. While some activities were more engaging than others, I really enjoyed the international atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with everyone."

 

Adrian, Volunteer from Spain:

"It has been a true pleasure meeting so many people from different places and connecting with them in various ways, both during the interactive activities and outside of the scheduled hours. I am definitely taking away a great and lasting experience from these past few days."

 

Giacomo, Volunteer from Italy:

"Our experience in Sivas has been overwhelmingly positive. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet, collaborate, and exchange experiences with fellow volunteers from all over the country, all while taking part in engaging activities and discovering such an amazing, historic city."

 

Beyond the educational sessions, exploring the rich historical landmarks of Sivas provided a beautiful cultural backdrop to our journey. Through discussions, group work, and shared experiences, we also gained a deeper understanding of how ESC projects contribute to social inclusion, strengthen local communities, and encourage young people to become active citizens capable of creating positive change. As volunteers under System and Generation Ankara, we aim to apply these lessons throughout our ESC experience by promoting intercultural dialogue, supporting youth participation, encouraging volunteering, and contributing to community-based initiatives. We also hope to continue sharing the values and experiences gained through ESC beyond the duration of our projects, inspiring other young people to engage in solidarity actions and international mobility opportunities. We are incredibly grateful to the Turkish National Agency for hosting such a well-structured program. For anyone embarking on their volunteering path, this training is an invaluable stepping stone that we highly recommend for all newcomers looking to maximize their impact and integration.