The Importance of Non-formal Education

Non-formal education

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. Calvin Coolidge

Education in this gadget-era? Knowledge in this information consuming world? Refused and failed history of a talented and progressive mind? What one should change if there is anything to change? Questions like how to succeed, what to become and so on, fly in the bottomless oceans of our minds. And it is important to pause and think; what to do then?

If degrees and the schooling system you passed through have never been satisfactory or challenging, then congratulations, you are here at the right place at the right time. In 2007 The Youth in Action program was established by the EU to inspire active citizenship, solidarity, and tolerance among young people aged 13-30. And here is where a completely new perspective on education emerged.

OK, the end of philosophy!

“Non-formal education refers to planned, structured programmes and processes of personal and social education for young people designed to improve a range of skills and competences, outside the formal educational curriculum. Non-formal education is what happens in places such as youth organizations, sports clubs and drama and community groups where young people meet, for example, to undertake projects together.” 

This is how the Council of Europe defines non-formal education (NFE). Our followers already know about DNA which successfully organized more than 170 international projects for more than 500 people. Youth exchanges are omnipotent in terms of how gifted they are; voluntary, accessible to everyone, learner-centered, based on experience and action and SO MUCH MORE! 
One of our talents Mary can walk you through her experience as a participant when she was in Romania participating in a feminist conference. Please, be sparkled by her!

Once one is open to all the sources of enlightenment, then there are no boundaries anymore, then the same degree in human rights, for example, can be gained in practice within multicultural communities, people with diverse backgrounds, etc. It is important for us that our readers start to think critically about the “right” ways of being intellectual, civically active and so on. If you can think of yourself as a bud with the unlimited potential to grow and blossom, what will you then? Will you be ready to ingest the sunlight and drink the water? 

The same is when you are a student for life! Don’t ever recognize any boundary or fear that your mind will force upon you. Be curious and conscious! Carpe diem, baby. Anything either inspires or breaks! This is what the members of our community believe in. You can open new horizons by being actively involved in our youth projects, trainings or just being with us! There is so much to learn offline, out of our campuses through e-platforms, videos, TED talks, articles. Enhance your imagination and just see what can come up!

Don’t miss YOUR chance, start the change now from here. Maybe you can share your success story with us while being abroad! 🙂 

Mane Matevosyan