AIM & ONBJECTIVES:

The main aim of «Imagine Rhythm» was to empower deaf and hearing young people through dance, filmmaking and with the tools of non-formal education to raise participant’s self-confidence by using one’s own creativity.

The specific objectives:

• to promote the idea of diversity in Europe;

• to emphasize personal and social skills of young people;

• to encourage youth to be active in social life in their communities.

• to promote awareness about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

• raise awareness on different issues of young people with disabilities through art;

• bringing up topics important for deaf people in society on local and international level, - to provide tools in intercultural dialogue and campaigning for young people from countries facing economic and social problems (particularly from Armenia). 

DESCRIPTION

«Imagine Rhythm» was a 10-days project, that took place in Uster, Zurich, Switzerland from 12 - 21 August 2017, which used the expressiveness of dancing and filmmaking to overcome intercultural and linguistic obstacles. Deaf and hearing young people from Armenia, Switzerland and Germany created a dance performance together with the choreographer Melanie Alexander and showed it in public space in the city of Zurich.

Through a inclusive approach, the participants could create their own movements, make use of their skills and integrate it in a contemporary dance performance. The whole activity was filmed on site by a group of participants interesting in filmmaking in order to document the learning process. The project was designed also for engaging the participants in social life and giving them knowledge on how they can implement social initiatives in the future. Besides the dance workshop, a group discussion was held, with a focus on the problems and needs of deaf people to promote awareness about the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The participants had an unique opportunity to be part of a group that includes deaf and hearing. Through the practice of dance and film, they experienced how artistic methods can be used for expressing feelings and communicating with an audience. They have broaden their horizons in order to tackle problems and they developed their aesthetic and ethic values. The interaction in the group allowed them to get aware about the problems and needs of people with disabilities.

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities gives a legal frame. Due to this fundamental human rights that are part of the program, the participants raised awareness about the educational possibilities and the participation in cultural life and recreation of deaf people. Furthermore the participants faced challenges, that only this given international context can produce such as intercultural communication challenges and a diversity of cultural habits and traditions.

This experience had an impact on the personal development of the participants. Investing in the participants is a direct investment also in the capacity of the partner organizations from where these young people are coming from and where they will have the possibility to create projects and initiatives in the future.

It's important for SUBKULT that the cooperation and partnership with Doctor Cinema (DoC) can continue in order to establish sustainable projects that will run for longer period of time. We also see the participants as youth ambassadors who will be able to bring the message back to their friends, colleagues, family and local community in general. On indirect way, we are making an impact on each local community from which the participants are coming from.