World Forum for Democracy 2016 - Youth Participation

Aims & objectives

- To explore different understandings and dynamics between Education, as a concept and a process, and democracy, equality, inclusion, learning, education systems and institutions.
- To develop participants’ competences related to journalism, advocacy and activism and learn how to use them during the World Forum for Democracy.
- To create space for connection, self-expression and self-discovery with all senses (doing, thinking, feeling).
- To prepare participants for a meaningful experience during the World Forum for Democracy

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

Participants
74 participants from 50 countries took part in the activity - 28 of which came from Non-Council of Europe Member States. They were aged between 16 and 30 years old - 6 participants were minors. Participants were to:
- be actively involved in civil society Democracy initiatives;
- be motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on youth and democracy;
- be supported by a youth organisation or network or informal group working on democracy; some non-organised individuals will also be accepted;
- be ready to share own challenges faced in relation to education and learning;
- be ready to adopt a solution-oriented approach by bringing in new ideas and visions of democracy and education;
- be ready to dream education;

Team
The educational team was supervised by the two coordinators of the activity (1 from France – 1 from Germany). It was comprised of 4 trainers coming from France, Poland, Romania and Spain.

Training methods used & main activities

The programme was developed to approach the concept of education with all its complexity. It was grounded on non-formal education methodologies with a strong emphasis put on the hoslistic dimension of learning . It included – amongst others – experiential learning, body-mind practices, discussions in plenary or small groups, simulation activities, self-reflection...

Outcomes of the activity

The team went beyond "thinking" education as a theoretical concept, but invited participants to feel, think and practice education on the basis of their competences and experiences.

Participants challenged their vision of education and democracy. They left motivated to embrace complexity and work at local level to bring about global changes.

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

Trainer - in charge of developing, running and evaluating the educational contents and methods for the activity.

I worked on this training for 5 days days as a full time trainer.