Intersect in Diversity: An Open Dialogue Initiative

Intersect in diversity has been on the works for the past 12 months, and we are proud to present this project to you. Together, Bosco Base (Belgium), Maricuir (Spain), Salesianische Jugendbewegung Österreich (Austria).

The aim of this international activity was very clear from the beginning, creating a space where the background of our organisations would feel identified, but also challenged, creating then a conversation that explores the relationship between identity- queer communities- and faith.

Through this mobility of youth workers, we aim to equip professionals with practical tools, methods, and soft skills that foster understanding and empathy among people from diverse faith traditions and LGBTQI+ backgrounds. The programme emphasises dialogue-based learning, active listening, and conflict-sensitive communication to help youth workers facilitate inclusive conversations within their own communities.

An essential component of this initiative is bringing together youth workers who are engaged in faith-based organisations with those who are not, ensuring a broad spectrum of perspectives. By doing so, we strive to create an open, respectful, and safe space where participants can share experiences, explore challenges, and learn how to support young people who may be navigating tensions between their faith and their sexual or gender identity.

Participant profile

• Youth workers, educators, mentors and community leaders from diverse faith traditions and LGBTQIA+ contexts. Participants should have direct experience working with young people and motivation to apply the tools in their organisations.
• There is no age limit for this Training Course, but everyone must be +18.
• Only residents of EU Member States and Third Countries associated with the Programme are eligible to participate.

Objectives

• Bring understanding to the intersection between the concepts of faith, gender identity and sexual and relational orientation.
• Support participants in freely discovering their identity and accepting its different facets.
• Provide and build practical tools with/for the participants to facilitate open dialogue and safe spaces for inter-faith conversations and LGBTQ+ perspectives.