FRICTION Young people, global challenges, and how to support youth-led activism

Young people today walk on razor-thin lines in deep uncertainty between the many global challenges and their future: climate change, economic instability, forced migration, and social injustice. These challenges already shape and define their present and are a big threat to their future. Yet, their voices are too often dismissed, their fears unrecognized, their activism undervalued. And here comes the role of youth workers and educators: how can we support young people in their fight for their future? How, by helping them, can we make and leave them the space they rightly claim? 

This seminar will explore how global challenges affect young people in Europe (and worldwide) and how we, as youth workers and educators can be at their side in this uncertain world. We will address migration, intercultural inclusion, the fight against racism and discrimination, climate change, and how all these global challenges are interconnected. We will reflect on the role of older generations - not as old-school guardians but as allies - to make youth movements and activists heard and legitimized in their demands for change.

The razor-thin lines - both physical and invisible - on which young people walk also define the limits of opportunities and participation. But young people are pushing beyond them, claiming space, advocating for justice, and reshaping society. This seminar will be the space to dig into all these global challenges’ layers, and it aims to be a call to action as well. How can we, as youth workers and educators, support them in creating a future where human rights, inclusion, and sustainability are not negotiable?

FRICTION as the conceptual definition of the seminar: 

F: embrace FRICTION as a driver of change 

R: Rewriting, questioning outdated systems and models

I: Identity, who we are in this world 

C: challenges, global challenges 

T: Transformation, turning frictions into evolution 

I: Inspiring, encouraging new perspectives 

O: Open to inclusive spaces for dialogue 

N: Narrative, reshaping stories for the future 

During our 5 days seminar, we will focus on:

• The impact of global challenges on youth in Europe (and worldwide)
• Strategies to support youth-led activism and participation
• The role of older generations as supporters of youth-led activism 
• Tools for fostering inclusion, equity, and sustainability in youth work

FRICTION main aim 
To empower youth workers and educators to actively support young people in their advocacy, participation, and fight for (their) future world.

FRICTION objectives:

• To explore the effects of global challenges on young people and their opportunities for participation.
• To identify practical ways to support youth activism and make space for their voices.
• To discuss the role of youth workers and educators as supporters of young people’s movements.
• To share tools and approaches for promoting inclusion, human rights, and sustainability in youth work.
• To build a network of people and organizations committed to supporting young people’s agency.  

Expected learning outcomes

• Participants will better understand how global challenges affect young people’s opportunities, activism, and participation.
• Participants will focus on practical skills and approaches to better support youth-led activism and ensure that young people remain at the center of change.
• Participants will explore the role of youth workers, and educators, learning how to support youth-led activism.
• Participants will work on concrete strategies, tools, and a network to promote inclusion, human rights, and sustainability in youth work.

Particiapnts profile

This seminar is designed for youth workers, educators, facilitators, community organisers, and young activists who are : 

• age: 18 and older
• involved in global challenges,youth work and education
• creative and open-mindede
• ager to engage with other youth workers and cultures
• motivated to share learningexperiences with an international group
• proficient in english

Please read carefully the attached infopack before applying