Cara Jones, a Youth Worker from Ceredigion was selected to represent Wales in the 31st International Leadership Programme for Rural Youth Work in Herrsching, Germany. Cara travelled to Germany in August 2023 and spent a fortnight with 77 other Youth Workers and Leaders from 46 countries at the House of Bavarian Agriculture, the educational institution of the Bavarian Farmers' Association, in Herrsching on Lake Ammersee.
The programme is organised and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and its motto for this year’s International Leadership Programme was "Think globally – Get together and act locally".
Participants were welcomed by President of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food, Dr Margareta Büning-Fesel, and the seminar leader, Mr Gunther Strobl, Director of the House of Bavarian Agriculture as an educational institution of the Bavarian Farmers' Association. They spent two weeks learning, sharing and planning.
Cara Jones, Youth Worker said, “The International Leadership Programme for Rural Youth Work was a fantastic experience and a hugely beneficial opportunity. We learnt about leadership and motivation, conflict resolution, teamwork, creativity and communication. We also learnt about different cultures and traditions, and many of the same challenges that face us all in our home countries. I had the opportunity to plan and deliver a session for over 60 participants, and I am now able to put my new skills and experience to use here in my work in Ceredigion. We visited Dachau Concentration Camp, Nymphenburg Palace and went to the Alps! It was incredible to meet so many people from around the world and see how they all work with young people.”
Councillor Alun Williams, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Through-age and Wellbeing Services said, “We have been fortunate to benefit from this opportunity funded by BMEL, which has allowed one of Ceredigion’s Youth Workers to experience something totally new and worthwhile. Cara was successful in her application to gain a place on the programme and was able to meet and learn from other Youth Leaders from across the world, as well as share Welsh culture and traditions with others.”
08/09/2023