The 27th of February marked the kick-off of the european mentoring and befriending exchange programme! The coordinator “Netzwerk Berliner Kinderpatenschaften” hosted the first meeting in Berlin. The 3-day workshop on issue-focused mentoring was a full success according to the participants: “I have been to so many workshops in different countries, but that was definitely the best I have ever been to.”

In this first of four EMBEP-workshops, a creative exchange between the partners occurred which was further enhanced by a great location with a wonderful view from the 14th floor of the Tour Total building. The open atmosphere contributed to the workshop’s success, enhanced by the sharing of different experiences regarding issue-focused mentoring, such as the one by Florian Stenzel and Gloria Amoruso who talked about the project “Two for today and tomorrow – Following the traces of sustainable development as a tandem”.

A special highlight was the visit to the Bundestag and, in particular, a one hour talk about the facilitation of civil engagement with a representative of the German government, at the tower room of the Bundestag. The European partners talked about their experiences in their respective countries and the support they receive from their own governments. It was a great kick-off for an active political dialogue about mentoring and befriending in Berlin and Germany.

The guided tour by “querstadtein – Obdachlose zeigen ihre Stadt” (“Homeless show their city”)  that was led by homeless Berliners also left a lasting impression. It was a nice ending to three intensive and enriching days. Or to say it with the words of one of our Italian participants: “That is the real social Europe we are living.”