The European Youth Centre Strasbourg is hosting 30 young people for a study session “Creating Safe(r) and Brave(r) Spaces” co-organised by the ENIL Youth Network and CEJI – A Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, in cooperation with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.

 The study session aims to empower young people to create safe(r), brave(r) and inclusive societies where intersectional experiences of young people are lived and valued through multi-faceted respect for diversity. The study session also serves to empower participants from different backgrounds to support underrepresented communities in claiming, exercising, and defending their rights through active participation.

 The group, composed of young people with disability, youth from religious or ethnic minorities, LGBTIQ+ community and other vulnerable groups, is using sunny days in Strasbourg to discuss about stereotypes and prejudice, non-violent communication and the concept of allyship in order to create an Inclusive Language Manual for youth activities, a Calendar of Allyship and a Factsheet on creating intersectionality, inclusive and accessible events. Furthermore, the participants explored the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court on Human Rights, as well as visited the Palais de l’Europe to learn more about the Council of Europe’s work on anti-discrimination and inclusion.

 The objectives of the study session are:

• RAISING AWARENESS & KNOWLEDGE: To increase participants’ awareness and knowledge about the concepts of antisemitism, anti-Muslim hatred, ableism and other forms of discrimination, including the work of the Council of Europe in these fields. 
• APPLYING TOOLS: To familiarise participants with different tools and instruments to fight all forms of discrimination through human rights education and advocacy. 
• COLLABORATIONS: To enhance cooperation and leadership between young people from different cultural backgrounds and countries. 
• BECOMING CHANGE AGENTS AND MULTIPLIERS: To encourage participants to act as multipliers by sharing knowledge and skills with their peers and local communities to promote inclusive activities.

 More information about the study session can be found on the dedicated webpage.