Diane Interview

When and how did you discover the EDYN network?

I arrived at the Protestant Youth Service in 2000. In 2001, I met the EDYN partners during a “volunteer selection weekend”. This meeting allowed me to broaden my horizons, and there I understood the reason of these partnerships. Behind the members, I started to know the people, who later became friends. They were a real support when I took up my position, sharing their knowledge and kindness with me. The EDYN network is a network made of humans, and the humanity of these partnerships brings a lot. Without these partnerships, we do not know where we would be today: the EDYN network makes it possible to host or send volunteers, to support each other in projects, and above all to be able to send young people with confidence into projects where we know the people.

What do you think about meetings between partners?

I really liked the selection weekends, in Hungary or Germany (which are remote since Covid). But during the annual meetings, we live with these people, we get to know them, their cultures, their accent, their drinks, their cheese, the picturesque English (especially mine!). During these meetings, we make friends for life.
Besides, informal moments are just as important as formal moments. It’s always very interesting to be there, the content is rich and we never get bored. These meetings also allow us to discuss volunteers’ projects with partners. When I send volunteers to projects abroad, I know who I’m sending them to, and that’s valuable.

What tools developed by EDYN were you able to use?

The common application form helped me a lot.
We have also developed a document containing the essential aspects of the network which is very useful for introducing EDYN to potential partners.

What would you say to future members?

The EDYN network opens the program to the world. It brings so much to the volunteers, to go abroad with this safety net. It enriches the public, the staff, working within this network is not the same as working alone in your corner. It’s sharing tools, experiences, benefiting from the advice of others, and having the opportunity to welcome and send volunteers to people you trust.

The final word?

“The garden of EDYN where young people grow”.