Tomi

Tomi

Tomi (youth worker) is working for the Youth Center Jarše, where he deals with young people with emotional and behavioral problems. I focus most of my energy and time on alternative and new ways of teaching and methodologies on how to approach and influence young people. That is why I have been very active in the Erasmus+ program for many years, where I organized and carried out many youth exchanges, solidarity projects, international conferences and mobility of youth workers, where we learned about good practices in other countries, and hosted many volunteers and also sent our young people as volunteers. In addition, recent years I have participated and am still participating in several KA2 projects within the framework of Erasmus+. I believe in our projects, because I am convinced that with help of all this different projects comes changes that are necessary for successful work with young people, both in the field of education and personal goals. Young people need new ways of teaching, methods of work, etc. I belive in sport activities and use them as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

NINA

NINA

Nina has been a yoga teacher since 2015. She completed her yoga teacher training at the Agniyoga School in Ljubljana and specialized in yoga for teenagers at the Teen Yoga Foundation in England.

As a teacher of Spanish language she started gaining experience with teaching young people at ŠOLT language school in Ljubljana where her pupils were mostly highschool and university students.

As a mother of three boys she completed different trainings in nonviolent communication, mediation, and NLP and is an eager researcher of communication and connection with children and young people. She found yoga for teenagers to be an excellent tool for dealing with the challenges of this complex period of adolescence. She gives TeenYoga classes and strives for introducing yoga based techniques, breathing, mindfulness and meditation in the school environment and extracurricular activities for youth.

In her free time you can meet her with her family and a dog in the forest and on the meadow, as she is an enthusiastic forager of nature’s gifts. She also enjoys spending her time in the vegetable garden, baking bread, preparing herbal teas, and cooking homemade jams. Evenings are often spent in the cinema or with a good book.

François

François

A Versatile Engineer and Youth Empowerment Advocate

François is a versatile French engineer with a broad spectrum of experiences and specialties. His professional journey spans IT consulting, digital marketing, and digital advertising, alongside expertise in EU project management. François has made significant contributions to the startup ecosystem, having worked in two notable startups in Slovenia: Safesize/UCS and Zemanta/Outbrain.

 

In addition to his work in startups, François played a crucial role in the development of Ljubljana’s Fablab RogLab. Through a three-year Interreg EU project, which brought together nine Central European fab labs, he contributed to the expansion of RogLab into what is now known as Center Rog. This initiative aimed to make fabrication technologies more accessible to young European citizens and entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and creativity.

François’s dedication to empowering the youth makes him a great addition to Ad Astra team.

Juan Sebastian

Juan Sebastian

I’m a really motivated and devoted person that has a lot of energy and love to take initiatives. I love sports and outdoor activities and I think I can say I’m a healthy person. I have an easy contact with youngsters as it seems they feel comfortable with me. About what I think I could bring to projects:  My experience of several years in the scouts, where I organized different types of activities, like camps and socio- cultural activities, the experience I gained working through the years in the social sector of an Argentinian-Spanish NGO “Asociacion de Jovenes Descendientes de Españoles de la Republica Argentina” and a national NGO which counts more than 3000members, www.ajdera.org.ar or www.sijeargentina.org.ar (in which we organize exchange activities with other regions or projects of labour trainings and international cooperation projects for youngsters), my experience in organizing and participating to different projects and seminars on national and international level I think I can bring my experience to projects and that I can learn so much out of it. 

Laura

Laura

Laura is project manager, educator and social worker. Laura is from Belgium and joined the team in 2019 through her ESC project in ICPI. She grew up in the field of youth work as a Scouting member, from 2010-2016 she was involved in the organization as a youth worker. She has degrees in Orthopedagogy (Remedial Education) and Social & Cultural Work. From 2012-2021 she did multiple internships, jobs and volunteered in organizations and institutions in Belgium and Suriname, mainly working with children/youth from 3-21 years old, with a special focus on those with Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities & fewer opportunities. Her main responsibilities included creatingeducational programs, facilitating workshops and educational activities, youth residential care, organizational management & communication, project management, arts & cultural education. Since 2021 she has been involved full-time in ICPI. We have developed Mountain to move project together.

Kaja

Kaja

Hello! My name is Kaja, and I’m a 21-year-old from a small town in Slovenia.
I’m currently pursuing a degree in social pedagogy, with a focus on emotional and behavioral problems/disorders. My journey in social pedagogy is driven by a deep
passion for understanding and supporting individuals facing these challenges. For 13 years, I’ve been actively involved in scouting, which has greatly nurtured my
love for nature and the outdoors. This experience has not only taught me valuable survival and leadership skills but also instilled a profound appreciation for the environment. Hiking and exploring the great outdoors are some of my favorite activities, as they allow me to connect with nature and find peace. Volunteering has been a significant part of my life for over six years. I’ve dedicated my time to working in youth centers, where I’ve had the opportunity to engage with young people, providing guidance and support. Additionally, I’ve been involved in organizing various charity events, which has been incredibly rewarding. Through these experiences, I’ve developed a strong sense of community and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Creativity is a big part of who I am. I love arts and crafts, and I find joy in creating something beautiful and unique. Being goofy and having fun is also important to me, as it brings lightness and laughter into my life and the lives of those around me. My favorite Disney movies are Mulan, The Lion King, and Hercules, as they inspire me with their stories of courage, love, and resilience.
I’m an avid animal lover, with a special fondness for dogs and cats. Their companionship and unconditional love bring immense happiness into my life. Moreover, I’m dedicated to promoting peaceful communication, which is why I volunteer at an association for nonviolent communication. This role allows me to advocate for and teach the importance of understanding, empathy, and conflict resolution.
Music is another passion of mine. I enjoy listening to various genres, as it helps me relax and find inspiration. I’m always open to new experiences and eager to learn and grow. My goal is to make a meaningful difference in my community and beyond, using my skills and passions to support and uplift others.

Zora

Zora

I was told to describe myself, so that is what I am going to do now. My name is Zora, I am 20 years old; I live in the middle of a forest and I might become a college dropout (I am kidding, but changing study fields was something I never imagined doing). I was studying engineering at first, which I quite liked, but since I did not get a dorm fast enough, I decided to quit because it became really exhausting living like that. Anyway, now I am going to study conservation biology in Koper. I hope it will be as challenging as engineering was. I want to be challenged; it is just the way I am.

Monika

Monika

Monika , PhD, is a teaching assistant in the field of criminology at the Faculty of Criminal Justice and Security, University of Maribor, and a mentor in the Youth Home Jarše. Her PhD focused on the detection, criminal investigation, and evidence collecting of violence against parents by adult children. Her research interests include violence against parents, criminal investigation, and trafficking in human beings.

Giovanni

Giovanni

Innovator and Entrepreneurial Technologist, passionate about Startups, Business and Marketing digitization.
Serial entrepreneurs with main impact on Social Issues
Film Producer & Erasmus plus Trainer

 

I am a dedicated and experienced non-formal education facilitator with a strong background in designing and delivering interactive and engaging workshops, tailored to the context of Erasmus Plus projects. My expertise lies in creating inclusive learning environments and creativity, promoting teamwork, entrepreneurial skills and mindset among participants. I have been working with several organisations all over Europe,  facilitating workshops that combine creative icebreakers, immersive video-making hackathons, team-building exercises, startup and entrepreneurship activities.

My linguistic abilities include fluency in English, Italian and sufficient French, and Spanish.

Additionally, I work as a film producer, highlighting my diverse interests and talents. In essence, my job is around integrating innovation, entrepreneurship, education, and creativity to create positive societal impacts and help individuals unlock their full potential.

Benedetto

Benedetto

I have over 25 years of experience as educator and as manager in socio- educational and cultural projects targeted to youth, families and the related community. I interpret my job as a tool to politically change the society in its
paradigms and foundations, following an ecologist and environmentalist approach with specific focus on sport and outdoor activities. Through my personal sporting practice throughout my life (especially street & trail endurance running, basketball, soccer, ashtanga yoga), I have understood the centrality of an informal education based on physical activity, better if in outdoor and naturalistic contexts as this greatly helps children, youngsters and people in general to found their existence on safe, heath and dignity
paradigms, keeping them far away from the risks of a deviant and unsane life.”

Brina

Brina

My name is Brina and i’m 15 years old. I like animals, nature and travelling. My expectations for this exchange are to have fun with my friends and have some free time, to swim in the sea and to learn something new. Iwould like to go to Martinique because i have already been there twice and it was really nice, this time I want to learn how to become youth leader as I want to be one in the future. I also want to learn more about differentcultures, people and i want to meet other people.