Playing as a means of intercultural learning

Don Bosco's principle that play is necessary for young people's well-being was the theme of an intercultural youth training course on the techniques of using play as a means of youth work, held last month in Brussels, Belgium.

A group of young Salesian animators from the Salesian Pastoral Youth Service (SPYS) took part in course, which was entitled 'Fairplay(ing) - Intercultural learning through the use of play' and funded by the European Youth in Action Programme.

The Maltese participants joined others from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Austria, some of whom had just come back from long-term voluntary work in Africa and who also shared their experiences of interesting cultures far away from European shores. This not only created a friendly atmosphere between the participants but also helped them learn about diverse cultures.