The Youth Exchange in France was held 22-30 July 2024 within the European Citizenship Academy project and it was hosted by Pistes Solidaries. Poraka Nova as one of the project partners on this project selected young representatives from Macedonia to attend the meeting and learn more about the Environment and the EU. Upon returning home our participants were happy to share their feedback behind this event, read their article below.
The experience of the Macedonian participants (Pece, Sara, Dimitar, Ivan, Mihaela) who attended the Youth Exchange in Laroin, France!
This exchange focused on two seemingly unrelated topics—environmental issues and European citizenship—that are actually deeply interconnected. It was surprising to see how the EU influences the environment issues and the other way around how environmental problems are changing perspective of the European Union.
We were accommodated in Laroin, quiet place which gave us the opportunity to connect with nature. These 8 days that we had for exploring went by really fast. Every day was filled with activities that had the perfect balance between fun and instructive. We gained insights into our environmental impact through games and interactive discussions and learned in which ways we can make a difference.
For a young people it is crucial to know that our voice can be heard and that our actions can make a difference. But also it is important to know what to do. With different activities on this exchange we gain an understanding of ways in which we can adjust our everyday habits for helping environment. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with peers from Poland, Sweden, Italy and France and learn about their everyday struggles and also their culture. Hearing each participant’s unique story was truly inspiring.
As people that come from a country that is not part of European Union it was significant to learn how EU influences everyday life and what it means to be EU citizen. Highlights of this exchange included rafting, visiting the castle in Pau and biking around Biaritz while brainstorming solutions to minimize environmental damage and help the eco-system.
The simulation of European Council was valuable experience through which we witnessed how challenging it is to make decisions and protect your position. The final activity, a “Polka Debate,” was especially beneficial. It provided us with information about the EU’s environmental strategies and inspired us to propose innovative ideas for combating climate.
We arrived home with lifelong memories and a wealth of knowledge that we’re excited to share with those around us. This experience has been truly amazing, and we are deeply grateful to the entire organization and every participant for their kindness and the warmth we experienced together.
More info about this project can be found on the official website – https://myeurope.academy/.
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