EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Helping young Antilleans achieve their ideals

Helping young Antilleans achieve their ideals

Introduction

'Briljantjes' (whizz kids) is an experiment in the Hoogvliet municipal district by which local Antillean role models are developed into examples for young Antilleans in Hoogvliet. The role models are given the opportunity to achieve their ideals in social, societal and cultural areas. The participants are obliged to work under supervision towards the established goals and to present themselves as role models.

Problem

How does one give young Antilleans the opportunity to realise their ideals and serve as an example to others?

Description

Young Antilleans are given the opportunity to achieve their ideals. This can be with regard to schooling or work but it can also be of a social, societal or cultural nature. The basis is a signed agreement between the young person and the municipal district. The young participants are obliged to work under supervision towards the goals, to take part in both individual and group activities and to present themselves as role models. The municipal district is obliged to support them in this, organise group activities and facilitate the setting up of role models.

Approach

A social mentor helps the young people to achieve their goals. This means that the mentor provides motivation, personal supervision and support with visits to official bodies. A personal budget is available for each participant to help to remove any obstacles to their progress. Besides the individual activities, there are also group activities, such as classes in the development of skills in working in teams. Moreover, these young people take part in planned activities which help to make role models more visible.

Results

In total, 30 young people registered as potential whiz kids. There are currently 23 participants.
Many are taking training courses and several have started trainee positions.
It is noteworthy that the participants have much more self-confidence and initiative than when they started the project.
The practical support appears largely to involve assistance with institutional procedures.
The personal budgets were largely spent on financing courses and the acquisition of aids to achieve their aims.
The municipal district is enthusiastic about the results. This is shown in the book entitled 'Brilliant in Hoogvliet' that the municipal district has published on the Whiz kids.
The project will continue for two more years. During this period, the Hoogvliet municipal district will investigate the possibility of establishing the project in a regular institution.

Contact info

Municipal district of Hoogvliet, Rotterdam
A. Herrera, tel. +31 64 4140774

Project start date

01/10/2003

Links

City of Rotterdam

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Keywords

Citizens' participation