Europe talks Solidarity Conference 2024

Aims & objectives

Conference offered a space for a dialogue around the
understanding of solidarity and its connection to active participation in democratic life in Europe. The focus of the event was to increase awareness and better understanding of the EU's common values, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and human rights solidarity with a special focus on the youth field.

Specific aims:
- To learn from experts and peers on different aspects of solidarity
- To open up new dimensions in thinking about solidarity and volunteering
- To explore how solidarity, volunteering and democracy can connect to each other

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

Europe Talks Solidarity conference included around 50 participants, including experts and participants from Erasmus+ Youth Programme countries and Partner Countries Neighbouring the EU from various fields,
interested in the topic of solidarity, dialogues around solidarity, the connection with the topic of solidarity.

Training methods used & main activities

The conference facilitated dialogue and offered different perspectives on solidarity through expert speakers and open discussion spaces, "Solidary laboratories" - presentations of best practices, Discussion groups, Panel discussion.

Outcomes of the activity

Final report of the event with all conclusions - https://www.talkingsolidarity.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ETS-2024-Conference-Report.pdf

The conference was followed by a series of webinars in December 2024 to continue the conversation online, focusing on solidarity's connection to competitiveness, peace, and democracy.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Design and implementation of the programme in cooperation with the preparatory team (Slovakia’s National Agency for ERASMUS+ for the Field of Youth and Sport and for European Solidarity Corps Programme,
SALTO European Solidarity Corps and OeAD, Austria's National Agency for Internationalisation, Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) - Opetushallitus, Italian National Agency for European Solidarity Corps - Agenzia nazionale per i giovani (ANG), SALTO Participation and Information); Facilitation of the event in Slovakia, 10-13 September 2024; Support in drafting a final report.

I worked on this training for 3 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

Diana Kovacic was an active, inspirative and valuable part of the facilitation team.