How our intercultural ideas, experiences and skills can help to address challenges of today’s and tomorrow’s world

Ljubljana & Planica, Slovenia

October 26–30, 2011

About Young SIETAR

The Young SIETAR Network is an exciting new opportunity in the world of intercultural education, training, communication and management.
Young SIETAR is an international non-profit, member-run association, which combines the efforts of students and young professionals from a wide range of practical and academic disciplines who share a common concern for intercultural relations. Through a wide range of activities Young SIETAR provides a unique opportunity to build a bridge between juniors and professionals in this dynamic field that is educating a new generation of interculturalists.

What’s so special about Young SIETAR congresses?
No golf, no luxury, no expensive dinners... No exchange of business cards, no selling of products... Our congresses are about sharing ideals and ideas, listening, learning, discovering, thinking and laughing. We offer space for inspiration and improvisation, for collaborative exploration and unconventional methodologies. In an open-minded environment among international participants we get to see and understand the world from different perspectives.
The Young SIETAR annual congress is the pinnacle of the year for our Society. It is the one moment in the year where our virtual organization really comes to life. Our annual congress is a chance for our members, friends and other interested persons get together and exchange their know-how and experiences. It's a moment where people from cultures from all around the world connect, where ideas are discussed and new initiatives and projects are born. It is also the best opportunity to establish informal networks and exchange intercultural knowledge, skills and insights. A diverse group of speakers and facilitators touched and inspired students from around the globe.
Young SIETAR has brought together participants from around the world since 1997. Our congresses have taken place in many different places: Amsterdam/The Netherlands (1997), Brussels/Belgium (1999), Wroclaw/Poland (2000), Timisoara/Romania (2002), Bratislava/Slovakia (2003), Usedom/Germany (2004), Zadar/Croatia (2005), Valencia/Spain (2006), Ravensbrück/Germany (2007), Cairo/Egypt (2009), Istanbul/Turkey (2010), Ljubljana-Planica/Slovenia (2011).

About the Congress in Slovenia
The starting point for the congress in Slovenia (2011) were the following questions: "Where does the world really need us? How can we contribute to a better understanding between people with different cultural backgrounds?"

Responding to these questions, a diverse group of 53 students and young professionals from 17 countries enjoyed a good mixture of presentations, group work, case studies, interactive activities (both during the day and in the evenings!) - in a relaxed, fun environment.
Here is the full programme.

Location
The congress was held in Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital (one day) and in Planica - the Alpine area where Slovenia, Italy and Austria meet (three days).

Read a blog post written by a participant on her experience in Ljubljana/Planica!

Some impressions from the congress are captured in the gallery below!

P.S. The first five flipchart photos show what our teams discovered about Slovenia when talking to the locals on Day I of the congress ...