Young people from Unna shape the future: projects for a better life!

Young people from Unna shape the future: projects for a better life!

In an impressive encounter, over 40 youth groups from 14 countries at the European Youth Work Symposium in Dortmund presented their creative projects. Under the motto "Building Bridges - Breaking Barriers", the young people show how they want to improve life in their hometowns with innovative ideas. The event, which took place at the end of October, offered a platform for the exchange and discussion about the challenges with which the youth are confronted in Europe.

practical life projects in the focus

The young people from the Work College workshop in Unna have developed a practical cookbook that contains cheap recipes for young people. "We noticed that you often order instead of cooking yourself," explains Florian Riemer, one of the participants. Ian Lemke also works on a podcast that deals with practical life questions such as tax returns and search for apartments. These projects are part of a larger goal: to introduce life practice as a school subject, as teacher Kevin Ewe emphasizes.

The variety of the projects was impressive. The young people from Larisa in Greece presented a map with interesting places for their peers, while other groups launched exchange markets and information initiatives. These creative approaches are not only anchored locally, but also promote international exchange, which is of great importance for young people.

The symposium not only offered space for presentations, but also for intensive discussions about social and political challenges that affect youth work in Europe. Rolf van Raden from the International Education and Encounter (IBB) e. V. emphasizes that the exchange between the countries is crucial to gain new perspectives and to support each other. The event impressively illustrated how important local commitment and international exchange are for the development of young people.