History

In the 1990’s a group of social actors from Marseille developed international exchanges projects for youngsters living in disadvantaged areas, and trainings on cultural exchanges for social workers. Working closely with social centers, they decided to create their own organization Une Terre Culturelle in 2002; their actions have been pursued ever since .

Franco-German-Algerian Social Worker Training August 2001 - Bejaia

Researches have demonstrated the significant impacts of cultural exchanges among youth. These include: open-mindness, adaptability, self-confidence, independence, language skills. The singularity of Une Terre Culturelle is that youth cultural exchanges are not just visioned as touristic and consumerist exchanges.

Regarding social workers trainings, Une Terre Culturelle is guided by three main goals:
- Sensitizing social workers on intercultural exchange and providing them training, and allowing shares of experience.
- Ensuring that the knowledge and skills gained from the exchanges can be applied at work.
- Building a network of European and international partners for future projects.

The 2005 riots in the french suburbs showed the need for such actions towards these disadvantaged areas where youngsters do not have many opportunities in mobility.
Taking them out of these suburbs is allowing them to enlarge their own prospects/future, to make them aware of their own cultural determinism while facing diversity. In brief, letting them know that there is « another world » and « a tomorrow ».

We also encourage social and cultural blend within our groups of participants ; we can learn about diversity nearby us.