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You are here: Home / Archives for Event 2019 YRN Autumn Plenary

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

1 October, 2019 By Editor

From 15 to 19 September, the Youth Regional Network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER-YRN) celebrated its Autumn Plenaries for the first time in the framework of the 20th University of Youth and Development (UYD) of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. 23 young participants from 13 different countries representing the AER-YRN at the 20th UYD actively engaged in workshop debates, committees’ work and joint thematic activities themed around the UYD’s 2019 annual focus on “Youth, Justice & Strong Institutions” related to SDG 16.

Advocacy on SDGs and innovative approaches to youth participation

In the morning of the 16th, the first workshop debate Glocal Youth Advocating for SDGs began with the participation of Benjamin Günther, board member of the European Youth Forum (EYF), who presented the work that the Forum undertakes in order to advocate for the inclusion of young people in the review and implementation of SDGs and, in addition, presented the main conclusions of the EYF Policy Paper on Sustainable Development.

Elitsa Hadzhieva, AEGEE-Europe: European Student’s Forum, also joined the discussion with the YRN delegates to stress the importance of enhancing cooperation in a more coordinated way among the different youth-led organisations in order to have a more unified voice when advocating for youth major rights towards the EU institutions and the UN. 

Benjamin Günther (European Youth Forum), Elitsa Hadzhieva (AEGEE Europe)

On Tuesday 17th, Bruno António, Coordinator of DYPALL Network and Nami Isaki, board member of the Centre For Intercultural Dialogue, shared insights and experiences at the workshop debate entitled (Co)innovating youth participation. The YRN participants not only learned about the principles of the Council of Europe (CoE) co-management system for participatory democracy but also heard the experience of Nami Isaki in establishing an influential network of youth-led organisations both at the local and national decision-making levels in North Macedonia and, more generally, in strengthening youth cooperation in the Balkans. 

Bruno António pointed out that the 2030 Agenda goes beyond the so-called roadmap to sustainability but it is rather an inspirational framework for engaging young people in active participation to stand for their own rights and, moreover, influence policy-making at multiple levels. Organisations such as the ones represented by Bruno and Nami are trying to change the concept of democratic participation by facilitating access to the decision-making process for all cohorts of young people, including the most disadvantaged groups.

Nami Isaki (CID) and Bruno António (DYPALL)

Intercultural dialogue and Global Education 

Abdelkader El Khissassi, Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), took part in the second workshop debate Youth Inclusion and Intercultural Dialogue on the 18th of September. During the interactive discussion, Abdelkader insisted on the importance of mainstreaming an intercultural sensitivity for young people’s inclusion in the public sphere but also to build more democratic societies free from prejudice and discrimination. The UfM is currently developing a cooperation framework between youth platforms in the Mediterranean basin, such as the Youth Forum for the Mediterranean, with the purpose of fostering intercultural dialogue and cooperation beyond the European borders and thus create a project-oriented space for mutual understanding in the field of youth. 

Following the discussions on inclusion and interculturality, YRN participant Tiziana Fantucchio, as a representative of CESIE, organised an interactive activity to raise awareness on sexual violence through a changing-pair exercise that allowed participants to explore their own personal boundaries. Another activity was organised by Vahram Vardanyan, member of the YRN Presidium, to reflect upon SDG 16 and the linkages with gender equality, discrimination and xenophobia. 

  • YRN-AER Participants with Abdelkader El Khissassi (UfM)
  • CESIE’s activity

The last workshop debate on Education for Sustainable Development involved a number of guest speakers: Giuseppe Lipari, board member of OBESSU, and Rocío Cervera from the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. Giuseppe explained that OBESSU’s core goal is to increase the recognition of students as fundamental actors in shaping the educational policies and, to that end, the organisation commits itself not only to defend school student rights towards European Institutions and other relevant stakeholders but also to provide assistance for the development of school student representative structures at different levels. 

Rocío Cervera underlined three perspectives that are fundamental in the field of Global Education: multi-perspectivity; multi-stakeholder approach for advocacy purposes; and sustainable lifestyles, which links the notion of sustainable development to the individual responsibility of contributing to it. In this regard, Rocío concluded that “we are all educators and individually responsible for bringing about worldwide sustainable change”.  

  • Giuseppe Lipari (OBESSU)
  • Rocío Cervera (North-South Centre)

The work in the YRN Committees

Throughout the week, the 23 representatives of the AER – Youth Regional Network worked in the YRN committees putting a log-frame analysis (problem/alternative trees) into practice to identify a core issue related to SDG-16 hindering youth participation and the human (youth) right vulnerated. For this exercise, the participants integrated all relevant inputs received at the workshop debates and the outcomes of the log-frame analysis were used in a second phase to elaborate an advocacy plan. Following this advocacy reflection exercise, the participants discussed solutions to overcome the problems identified and came up with recommendations to lobby the regional and local entities they stand for.  

Outlining the main outcomes:

From these three days full of activities, workshops and debates concluded into many outcomes, although we could sum them all up into these three main outcomes:

  • Attitude: Self-awareness (youth as right-holders) and individual responsibility.
  • Skills: Analytical-advocacy planning skills.
  • Knowledge: Global challenges for local and regional actions.

Visit the event page to find all the presentations and materials of the AER – YRN’s activities at the 20th UYD.

Photo credits: @Luca Scognamillo / North-South Centre of the Council of Europe on Flickr

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

From 15 to 19 September, the Youth Regional Network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER-YRN) celebrated its Autumn Plenaries ...
Read More
Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

From 15 until 19 September, 23 participants from 13 different countries represented the AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at ...
Read More
Take a look at the AER-YRN's programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

Take a look at the AER-YRN’s programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

From 15 to 19 September, a group of young participants from 13 different European countries will represent AER - Youth ...
Read More
Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe's 20th University on Youth and Development!

Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s 20th University on Youth and Development!

AER - Youth Regional Network (YRN) is very proud to announce its partnership with the North-South Centre of the Council ...
Read More
Follow AER!
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Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

30 September, 2019 By Editor

From 15 until 19 September, 23 participants from 13 different countries represented the AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at the 20th University on Youth and Development (UYD) of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in Mollina, Málaga (Spain). The UYD network provides a unique space for youth empowerment, offers non-formal education capacity building activities and endorses policies, mechanisms and tools for youth development, in order to increase the recognition of youth as agents for positive change.  In this context, AER – YRN celebrated its Autumn Committee Plenaries themed around the UYD’s 2019 annual focus “Youth & Justice”.

AER-YRN Opening the 20th University on Youth and Development

On Monday 16 September, the 20th UYD officially kicked off with the Opening Ceremony where a wide range of experts and partners emphasised the importance of young generations in the implementation of the UN SDGs. Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, Chair of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, officially opened the 20th edition of the UYD, followed by Ruth Carrasco, Director General of the Spanish Institute for Youth and Marcos Andrade, Founder of the UYD, who encouraged all the participants to be ‘ambitious as individuals, ambitious as a group’.

Together with Carina Autengruber, President of the European Youth Forum and Sana Afouzaiz, Founding Director of Womenpreneur, Gloria Vitaly, President of AER’s Youth Regional Network, was invited to participate in the opening discussion entitled “the relevance of interregional youth cooperation to ensure that no-one is left behind”, moderated by Bruno Antònio, Coordinator of DYPALL. With young people’s involvement in the decision-making process being a priority for AER-YRN, Gloria Vitaly stated:

“We’re being heard but we’re not listened to, at YRN we want to change that. We want to integrate young people from different local and regional backgrounds and bring about change for good.“

  • Opening Ceremony
  • Gloria Vitaly, President of AER-YRN at the Opening Ceremony

Joint thematic activities to raise awareness on Youth & Justice

The Joint Pedagogical Team organised a set of activities to the beat of the music played by the UYD band “Ubanda” which introduced rules around rights, space and consent and made the participants reflect upon the linkages between justice, power and youth.

Just to name a few of those activities, the “Power & Justice Theatre” was staged on Monday 16 September which made the participants reflect on the power relations within society, using the Theatre of the Oppressed techniques. On Wednesday 18 in the morning, a role play of a trial – the “UYD Court” –  increased understanding of the prevalence of civil justice issues in everyday day life based on real cases heard by the European Court, which was followed by an expert conversation with Cristina Gallach, High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda of Spain.

UYD Court with Cristina Gallach

In the afternoon of Tuesday September 17th, another joint thematic activity brought together the partners and the participants for the ‘Organisations’ Fair’ to exchange best practices. AER had the chance to introduce its political priorities and organisational principles as well as sharing some good practices, projects and the flagship programmes, including Eurodyssey.

After all the good practices were exchanged, the sharing continued, this time with delicious local food in the form of tapas!

  • Organisations’ Fair

The last joint activity was the Final Plenary on Saturday 21 Sept, this session involved all the partners presenting their outcomes from the week of learning. AER-YRN also shared its results in the form of a video. Find out more about the outcomes of the AER-YRN activities in this article.

What’s ahead for AER regions?

Interregional cooperation in the youth field is a core element of AER’s work and a strategic goal within the cycle 2018-2020 of the NSC Universities. Member regions are encouraged to promote the involvement of youth representatives and cooperate with other youth-led organisations in order to increase capacity building and boost their engagement in networking activities, such as the UYD.

AER-YRN is very proud to have taken part in the 20th  UYD and extends its appreciation to all the organisers, partners and participants of the UYD for making this event possible. We look forward to cooperating with you again in the future! 

All the take-aways and materials of the AER-YRN activities are already available on the event page. 

Photo credits: Luca Scognamillo / North-South Centre of the Council of Europe on Flickr  

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

From 15 to 19 September, the Youth Regional Network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER-YRN) celebrated its Autumn Plenaries ...
Read More
Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

From 15 until 19 September, 23 participants from 13 different countries represented the AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at ...
Read More
Take a look at the AER-YRN's programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

Take a look at the AER-YRN’s programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

From 15 to 19 September, a group of young participants from 13 different European countries will represent AER - Youth ...
Read More
Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe's 20th University on Youth and Development!

Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s 20th University on Youth and Development!

AER - Youth Regional Network (YRN) is very proud to announce its partnership with the North-South Centre of the Council ...
Read More
Follow AER!
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Take a look at the AER-YRN’s programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

3 September, 2019 By Gisela Guari Cañada

From 15 to 19 September, a group of young participants from 13 different European countries will represent AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at the Council of Europe North-South Centre’s (NSC) 20th University on Youth and Development (UYD) in Mollina (Málaga).

AER – YRN will contribute to the programme of the 20th edition of the UYD with various seminars and activities in line with the main theme “Youth, Justice & Strong Institutions” in collaboration with other UYD partners. Scroll down to find out more!

“Glocal” Youth Advocating for SDGs

The 2030 Agenda established that young people are a driving force for development – but this can only be possible when they are well-provided with the skills and opportunities needed in order to reach their potential, support development and consequently contribute to peace and security.

The first workshop session scheduled on Monday 16th from 15:00h to 16:30h entitled “Glocal Youth Advocating for SDGs” will allow the participants to gain insights on how to integrate the SDGs targets, in particular the SDG 16, into the work and projects carried out within their organisations (regional youth councils, local NGOs, University associations, etc.) and on the opportunities and strategies for influencing and getting involved in the monitoring and accountability of the SDGs from the local level up to the global one. To this end, not only the participants will exchange good practices, project ideas or initiatives relating to the SDG 16 targets but will also have the chance to develop together an advocacy strategy towards including young people in the decision-making at all levels for effectively realising the goals of the 2030 Agenda. 

(Co)Innovating Youth Participation

As a matter of fact, participation is not limited to voting or standing for election, but also to active citizenship; and therefore, having the right, the means and the opportunity to influence in the decision-making. In particular, youth participation is the expression of a plurality of approaches for publicly engaging in democratic processes, beyond the conventional forms of participation.

On the 17th of September from 9:30 to 11:00h the participants will reflect upon different models of youth participation (both conventional and unconventional) and find out about the ins and outs of influencing the decision-making process from the very local level up to the global one. Along with Developing Youth Participation at Local Level (DYPALL) and the Centre for Intercultural Dialogue (ICD), the participants will learn about the principles of the Council of Europe co-management system for participatory democracy and will look into some research findings by DYPALL regarding models of youth participation in decision-making processes in the local governance that will inspire their conclusions.

Ultimately, the participants will play the role of decision-makers to think of ways of innovating youth participation at their respective spheres (Youth Councils and Parliaments, NGOs, Universities, etc.) in line with the SDG 16 and its targets of developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

Youth for Intercultural Dialogue

The development of intercultural sensitivity is a quality needed for a young person to live in today’s pluralistic Europe. It enables them to take an active role in confronting social injustice and discrimination―on grounds such as gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability―and, ultimately, promote and protect human rights. Young people and youth organisations play a vital role in promoting and ensuring equality and non-discrimination and creating inclusive, diverse and cohesive societies free from prejudice and hate

On the 17th of September from 11:30 to 13:00, the participants will learn about self-awareness methodologies to identify injustice situations and the role that young people can play in building peace from an intercultural point of view. Furthermore, they will hold a discussion on how youth work and projects can prevent discrimination and translate the needs of vulnerable groups into inclusive policy-making within their communities.

Education for Sustainable Development

Education is admittedly a powerful tool to make individuals agents of change. SDG 4.7 calls on building “more democratic, inclusive and peaceful societies by integrating a more global approach into education”. Reorienting education towards sustainable development will equip individuals, communities, businesses and government with a better understanding of the economic, societal, and environmental horizons.

Through this last workshop session taking place on the 18th of September from 15:00h to 16:30h, the participants will look into evidence-based findings and policy recommendations for increasing public awareness of education’s central role in achieving sustainable development and the challenges to achieve quality, equitable and inclusive lifelong learning for all by 2030 as means to prevent youth discrimination or any form of injustice. Additionally, the participants will learn about multi-stakeholder strategies that could use in their work to spread global active citizenship and, ultimately, bring sustainable change to their local communities.

Discover the full programme!

The detailed programme is already available HERE!

For further updates and news related to the AER – YRN participation in the CoE North-South Centre’s 20th University on Youth and Development, please visit the event page.

Photo credits: @COE.INT /  @Edwin Andrade on Unsplash

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Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s 20th University on Youth and Development!

12 July, 2019 By Editor

AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) is very proud to announce its partnership with the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe 20th University on Youth and Development which will take place in Mollina, Málaga (Spain) in September 2019. This will be also the occasion to celebrate the YRN Autumn Committee Plenaries themed around the UYD’S 2019 annual focus “Youth & Justice” in line with the UN SDG 16 – “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”.

25 YRN members and youth representatives from all AER member regions can apply to be part of this reference platform for youth participation in Europe!

What is the NSC of the CoE University on Youth and Development?

The University on Youth and Development (UYD) is a partnership between the Spanish Government (INJUVE), the European Youth Forum (YFJ), the Spanish Youth Council (CJE) and other international youth-led organisations and youth-serving organisations aiming to:

  • Foster democratic participation and global citizenship among young people.
  • Uphold the universal principles, values and standards of the Council of Europe.
  • Implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Network –facilitated and coordinated by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe– provides a unique space for youth empowerment, offers non-formal education capacity building activities and endorses policies, mechanisms and tools for youth development, in order to increase the recognition of youth as agents for positive change.

Focus 2019: Youth & Justice

In many countries, unequal access to justice and discrimination in the judicial sector create barriers to civic and political participation, especially for traditionally marginalised populations such as young people, women and migrants. Therefore, this year’s focus on “Youth and Justice” provides a unique opportunity to reflect on young people’s access to justice as an integral element for more fair and sustainable development. In fact, to provide youth with legal empowerment is fundamental, not only to meet their basic needs but also an essential step for inclusive growth, enabling young people to tackle social inequalities and hold authorities accountable. 

Within this context, the SDG 16 is particularly relevant: accountable and transparent institutions, fair and accessible juridical systems and a society free from violence and discrimination are among the main elements that could guarantee a greater contribution from youth in translating policies into action towards the achievement of the UN SDGs. 

To that end, it is important that governments, parliaments, local and regional authorities work together with youth organisations and with other sectors of civil society, ensuring more efficient mechanisms of youth participation and more inclusive decision-making processes, following a bottom-up approach.

Come to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UYD!

Over 200 young activists, youth workers, experts from the field and decision-makers responsible for youth-related policies from all over Europe will meet in Mollina (Málaga) to exchange views and organise activities under the umbrella theme of “the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: peace, justice and strong institutions”. The 20th edition of the UYD will take place at the Centro Eurolatinoamericano de Juventud (CEULAJ), a venue awarded with the Council of Europe’s Quality Label for Youth Centres.

From 15 – 19 September, the AER and YRN will participate and contribute to the programme with their own activities (training, workshop, seminars, etc.) within a common pedagogical framework: the Joint Programme. The joint programme of the University explores and develops the annual focus (Youth and Justice), giving the opportunity to all the partner organisations and their participants to reflect and interact around this topic, in view of a joint advocacy effort.

How to apply?

Applications are welcomed from members of the YRN and youth delegates from all AER member regions until the 12th of August. In order to prepare your application, you can check HERE the concept note of the 20th UYD and the call for activities for further information regarding the programme and practicalities.

A screening process will take place and selected candidates will be contacted no later than the end of August to confirm their participation in the UYD. The selected youth delegates will benefit from free meals and accommodation in single, double and triple rooms from 15-19 September. Additionally, the transfers from Málaga Airport and Antequera Railway Station to the venue will be facilitated by the organisation.

Apply Now!

Have a look at UYD 2018!

Photo credits: @Council of Europe

Video credits: @UYD – NSC-Council of Europe

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