Gathering of Young Individuals in Wiesbaden on a Global Scale
In the heart of Germany, the city of Wiesbaden recently played host to a unique youth exchange program, organised by JUZ Biebrich, Wiesbaden International Desk, and Arka Youth Center Shkodra. Funded by the EU Erasmus+ Youth program, this initiative aimed to foster intercultural dialogue, political awareness, and social justice education among young people from different countries.
The central theme of the program was "Social (In)Justice - Let's get the good life!", and it focused on social justice, political education, and intercultural understanding. Key activities included a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the incorporation of the EU YouthPass, a recognition of participants' learning and development during the exchange.
The Children, Youth, and Neighborhood Center Biebrich (JUZ Biebrich) hosted a group of young guests from the Arka Youth Center in Shkodra, Albania. The program delved into various methods, including playful icebreakers, team-building exercises, city explorations, and joint reflections.
Highlights of the exchange included a visit to the European Parliament on August 4, where the young people gained valuable insights into European politics. Back in Wiesbaden, the youth visited the city council chamber and briefly stopped by the Mayor's office. The official welcome was held in the grand hall, where the participants received their EU YouthPass.
Dr. Patricia Becher, the Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs, Education, and Housing, guided the youth through the town hall and emphasised the importance of young people meeting across borders, listening to each other, and thinking together about social justice as a strong democratic promise.
The youth exchange was more than just an educational event. Leisure activities included rock climbing at the Neroberg climbing forest, visiting the Dialog Museum in Frankfurt, participating in a breakdance contest at the Schlachthof, joint cooking sessions, and a trip to Rüdesheim.
During the visit, the youth discussed Europe's role in social justice and Albania's perspective on joining the European Union. This program fits within Erasmus+' aims to stimulate youth mobility, intercultural dialogue, and awareness of social and political rights across Europe.
For those interested, more information can be obtained from the responsible department or office. The press release for this event was published by the Press Office of the State Capital Wiesbaden. This youth exchange was a testament to the power of dialogue, education, and cultural exchange in fostering a more informed and engaged generation of young Europeans.
- This unique youth exchange, centered around the themes of education-and-self-development and personal-growth, facilitated a dialogue on social justice and political education among participants from different countries.
- Alongside educational activities and visits to significant political and cultural sites, the program also included leisure activities, such as rock climbing, museum visits, breakdance contests, cooking sessions, and a trip to Rüdesheim, all aimed at promoting a more holistic approach to education and self-development.
