In the period from 2 to 6 September, the European Youth Centre Strasbourg hosted 23 young activists for a study session “Advocacy in Action: Safeguarding a sustainable and peaceful future” organised by the Don-Bosco Youth Network, in cooperation with the Youth Department of the Council of Europe.
The aim of this study session was to build capacities of young DBYN volunteers and youth representatives in human rights advocacy, especially in the field of sustainability and peacebuilding. During 4 intensive days, participants explored human rights and democracy and learned about the human rights education approach of the Council of Europe. They had a chance to explore the work of the Youth Department through exchange with the Head of the Youth Department, Tobias FLESSENKEMPER and the chairperson of the Advisory Council on Youth, Nina GRMUŠA.
Moreover, they welcomed two guests: Angela REITHUBER, who spoke about sustainability advocacy and Sophia STANGER who presented environmental peacebuilding. Towards the end of the study session week, participants explored examples of advocacy campaigns, crafting their own local initiatives they shall implement after the activity. These ideas were presented in the Campaign slam organised on the last day, just before participants positively evaluated this experiential learning and prepared for the farewell party.
Apart from acquiring new competences in advocacy, peacebuilding and sustainability, participants had a chance to visit the Palais de l’Europe and sightsee the historical town of Strasbourg, while building long-lasting connections.
About the organisation
Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw (DBYN) is an international network of Salesian youth work offices and youth organisations which work in the style of Don Bosco. The network assemblies 18 organisations, +1.000 employees and +9.000 volunteers, who cater for over 125.000 children and young people in 16 European countries. The task of the network is to create and promote international activities for and by young. Next to that we create possibilities for our member organisations to share their good practices and start-up new projects together. Furthermore we represent the voice of Don Bosco young people on European and international level through advocacy work. All actions which we carry out within the network are based on the pedagogical system of Don Bosco, a pedagogical approach with a tradition of over 170 years.
