In late June and early July, we hosted participants from 8 countries as part of the “3 Dimensions of Connection” project. His was to improve the quality of youth work by strengthening the emotional balance of youth workers so that ultimately they can better support the potential of young people.
Our project completed the mosaic of training for youth workers, offering the opportunity to focus not only on skills but on attitudes, one’s own resources, and taking care of one’s own well-being.
The training was based on an innovative method developed by American psychologist Bill Plotkin, the so-called Nature-Based Human Psychology Map, drawing on depth psychology and ecopsychology. Nature was thus an essential part of the learning process. She was not just a collection of props, but a guide.
Here’s what the participants themselves said of the project:
“I feel that I am more present and have more patience with those around me, I have more empathy and more willingness to help where I can.”
“I feel reborn! It’s an amazing feeling. I have made contact with parts of me that I had forgotten existed.”
“I feel more grounded, more confident, and I am more open to go out into the world and to others.”
“I don’t know if there are words that can express how deeply this project has affected me. I was in a dark place before and didn’t know what to expect from this [project]. After completing it, I can say that I am a completely different person.”
