The YWIS – Youth Work in School Training Seminar is an Erasmus+ project initiative
organized by the Laboratory of Sociology of Education at the University of Thessaly. The
seminar took place in Volos, Greece, from May 23 to 25, 2025. Over the course of three days,
the event featured a series of workshops, discussions, and presentations focused on
innovative youth work practices and community building within schools.
On Friday, May 23, the program begun with a workshop on the Sociocratic Circle Method as
a methodology for educational commons, led by Naya Tselepi. This is followed by a session
on active listening and communication skills using the Thomas Gordon method, facilitated by
Angeliki Botonaki. The day concluded with a discussion on the role of youth work in
fostering sustainability, well-being, and democratic values in school communities, featuring
Yannis Pechtelidis and Stelios Pantazidis.
Saturday, May 24, featured a creative workshop on using fairy tales to strengthen educational
commons, focusing on building learning communities through collaboration and creativity.
This session is facilitated by Angeliki Botonaki and Chrysa Gatzelaki.
The seminar concluded on Sunday, May 25, with a presentation titled “It’s Not Just a
Training Meeting,” which explores how Freinet networks contribute to the formation of
active learning communities. The presentation were given by Stelios Pantazidis and Sofia
Moysidou. The event emphasized participatory methods and community-driven educational
practices aimed at enriching youth work in school settings.