Gathering of Youths from Around the Globe in Wiesbaden
The international youth exchange program titled "Social (In)Justice - Let's get the good life!" recently brought together young people from Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Germany, and the Arka Youth Center in Shkodra, Albania. This Erasmus+ Youth-funded project, a collaborative effort between JUZ Biebrich, the Wiesbaden International Specialist Office of the Youth Work department in the Office for Social Work, and the Arka Youth Center, aimed to engage young people in activities around social justice themes and mutual learning[1].
The youth exchange program kicked off with a warm welcome in the grand festival hall of the town hall. From there, the participants embarked on a journey that included a visit to the European Parliament, where they likely engaged in discussions or sessions related to the project's themes[1]. This visit provided a direct connection between young people and European-level institutions working on social justice issues.
Throughout the exchange, the young people explored the topic through various methods, including playful introductions, city explorations, and joint reflections on life realities, chances, and inequalities[1]. They also collaborated with Spiegelbild - Political Education from Wiesbaden e.V. to learn about Jewish history in Wiesbaden and its current significance.
Joint leisure activities were an integral part of the program, with the participants visiting the Neroberg climbing forest, the Dialog Museum in Frankfurt, and attending a breakdance contest at the Schlachthof. A special highlight was the visit to Rüdesheim, where cooking an Albanian wish dish and an excursion strengthened intercultural togetherness and created space for new friendships.
The subsequent city exploration in Strasbourg made Europe tangible and close. The young people visited the city council chamber and briefly stopped by the office of the Mayor during their tour of the town hall[1]. Dr. Patricia Becher, the Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs, Education, and Housing in Wiesbaden, guided the exchange. She stated that young people meeting across borders, listening to each other, and thinking about social justice is a strong democratic promise[1].
The youth exchange went beyond a vacation program, enabling personal encounters, joint learning, and mutual recognition. The program focused on the annual theme of the Youth Work department in the Office for Social Work: "Social (In)Justice - Let's get the good life!"[1]. The young participants received their EU Youth Pass during the event, symbolizing their commitment, learning processes, and growing intercultural competence.
The Press Office of the State Capital Wiesbaden released this press release, and citizens can contact the responsible department or office with questions[1]. The youth exchange was a strong sign of young people advocating for a solidarity Europe.
[1] Source: Press release by the Press Office of the State Capital Wiesbaden.
During the youth exchange, participants delved into discussions on social justice themes as part of their education-and-self-development. The intercultural togetherness fostered through shared activities such as cooking Albanian dishes, visiting museums, and exploring cities was a crucial aspect of this lifestyle evolution.
