Friday, April 17, 2026

Call for lab submissions

Apply until 15 May to present your initiative or idea in a lab at the World Forum for Democracy 2015

Organisations worldwide are invited to express their interest in presenting either an example/initiative or an idea to respond to security threats in a way that preserves the basic principles of democracy such as freedom of expression, public deliberation, and the privacy of citizens, by answering the questionnaire and sending it to [email protected] by 15 May 2015. The World Forum Task Force will select the most interesting and relevant proposals in June 2015.

For the first time, the Forum will not only showcase already existing initiatives, but also innovative, untested ideas  to maintain and develop democracy’s basic principles in times of increasing security threats.

The fourth edition of the World Forum for Democracy, to take place on 18-20 November 2015, will focus on the challenges democracies face in addressing security risks without jeopardising freedom and democratic stability.

Initiatives and ideas to be presented and assessed at the forum will roughly fall under the four key categories:

  • How much control kills democracy?
  • Freedom from fear in a diverse society?
  • Is learning of democratic culture adequate today?
  • Is freedom of expression and information a reality?

One presenter for the selected initiatives/ideas will be invited to Strasbourg to take part in the World Forum. A number of funded places is available. Any public or private organisation is eligible to apply.

Freedom vs control: For a democratic response
Strasbourg, 18-20 November 2015

There is a growing sentiment across democracies worldwide about vulnerability to a diverse range of threats – from violent extremism to economic, technological, environmental and geopolitical risks. This acute public awareness – particularly the fear generated by violent attacks driven by ideology – can accentuate societal divides, sharpen latent conflicts, and destabilise society. The lack of data protection guarantees with regard to personal data held by internet companies is also a major concern. The growing tension between the concern for safety and the protection of freedoms is one of the key challenges facing democracies today.

Can democracies deal with risks of weakening the protection of individuals, so that they benefit from the internet revolution in a sustainable way without jeopardising freedom and democratic stability? Can they resist the escalation of fear and formulate responses based on civic responsibility and active citizenship? What does democratic security mean today? How can a balance between security and freedom be maintained in a democratic society under threat? These questions will be in focus at the 2015 World Forum for Democracy.

The World Forum for Democracy will engage decision-makers, opinion leaders and social innovators in a debate about the approaches to be adopted at the international, national, regional and local levels in order to ensure the protection of freedom in democracy facing violence and extremism. The exchanges will be based on real-life initiatives by public authorities or grassroots actors, which will be examined by an interdisciplinary international panel. General guiding principles will then be drawn up to encourage and support future policy responses and field action. In addition, the Forum will give space for the presentation and critical review of untested, novel ideas.

For the first time, the Forum will not only showcase already existing initiatives, but also innovative, untested ideas  to maintain and develop democracy’s basic principles in times of increasing security threats.

Over 1500 participants from a wide range of backgrounds – politicians, academics, activists, media and business professionals from around the world – will attend the Forum and connect live to many others via the internet. The Forum will consist of plenary sessions for high-level addresses; keynote introductions and joint debate/summing up, as well as a series of smaller working sessions (labs) to address specific issues through the critical analysis of implemented initiatives or novel ideas.

More about the forum here!

‪#‎YouthRights‬ are Roma young people’s rights!

The Advisory Council on Youth issued a statement on 8 April celebrating International Roma Day and calling on European regional and local authorities and youth structures to support the efforts of young Roma to improve European youth and Roma policies and to provide the means and tools for the participation of young Roma as full citizens.

Peace Education seminars

From 24–31 May, IFM-SEI offers two peace education seminars taking place in the Kurt-Loewenstein Education Centre: A training course on mediation, and a seminar on conflicts and war.

The deadline is extended until 20th April,
Violence and war are all around us and affect every one of us, no matter where we live. Children and young people are victims of armed conflicts, they are exposed to war propaganda and violence in the media.

Peace is the absence of wars, terrorism, torture and violence. But it is much more than that. Peace is achieved through respect, solidarity, through the absence of economic and social inequalities.

Peace is something that concerns whole states, ethnic groups or religions, but also interactions between individuals, between peers, between children and adults.

Through our education, our activities and groups we want to achieve a real culture of peace!

From 24–31 May 2015, we will work on this topic in 2 parallel seminars, both taking place in the Kurt-Loewenstein Haus in Werftfpuhl, Germany.

  • Wars and Conflicts Seminar
  • Mediation Training Course

In the Wars and Conflicts Seminar we will explore armed conflicts, particularly the ones ‘forgotten’ in the media. We will talk about political armed conflicts going on in our societies – in Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa. We will discuss the causes and consequences of war and violence and reflect on the role of young people in conflicts. We will develop critical thinking as a tool for peace education and finally, we will also develop peace education activities that we can use to raise awareness of wars and conflicts with other children and young people.

The Mediation Training will bring together young people who are interested in becoming mediators and peace educators within their organisations and for IFM-SEI. We will talk about bullying and reflect on conflicts and violence between children and young people. We will think about how these conflicts can best be resolved or transformed with the help of peers. As a participant, you will receive training on mediation skills so that you can become a mediator in your organisation, your school or at IFM-SEI events.

Both seminars will take place parallel to each other. We will share some parts of the programme to bring the political and the personal perspective together and we will spend our free time together.

Are you interested? Then decide if you want to take part in the Mediation Training Course or the Wars & Conflicts Seminar and apply online before 20th April 2015.

Costs:

  • For participants from Western Europe and Israel: 100 Euro
  • For participants from Eastern Europe: 50 Euro
  • For participants from Palestine and Western Sahara: Free

Thanks to a grant of the European Youth Foundation, travel costs to Werftpfuhl (Germany) and visa costs will be fully reimbursed.

Profile of participants:

  • You should be between 18 and 30 years old (exceptions possible)
  • You should be able to work in English
  • You should work with children or young people in youth organisations on a regular basis
  • You should be motivated to work on the topic of the seminars
  • You should be willing to use what you have learned in a children or youth group
  • You must be able to participate for the whole duration of the seminars.

More information here!

Please submit the online application form here before 20th April 2015.

UNESCO’s Online Media and Information Literacy Course for Youth

Are you between 15 and 25? Are you interested in media and information literacy (MIL)? Do you wish to become a critical citizen and agent of change?

Register now for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) free online course on media and information literacy (MIL), in partnership with Athabasca University and in cooperation with the UNESCO-UNAOC University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue.

The course is designed to enable youth to:

  • Understand why media and other information providers are important to development and democratic societies;
  • Recognise a need for information and to locate, access, organise and carefully evaluate information and the content of media and other information providers;
  • Use and share information based on moral principles or accepted standards of social behaviour – inlight of opportunities and potential risks;
  • Interact with media and other information providers to freely express themselves, share their culture and learn about other cultures, promote gender equality, and participate in democratic and development activities.

Application must be completed by 20 April 2015!    Click here to apply

There are no associated fees to participants who wish to do this course.

Youth, Democracy & Participation! Euro-Med Youth Cooperation

From the Arab spring to the ongoing street manifestations in Southern Europe and to the never-ending challenges in Eastern Europe – young people talk about Democracy, but one simple word hides behind it more than one reality.

 24 young people from Euro-Med countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Macedonia, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Western Sahara), representing local, national or international organizations met in Barcelona, Catalonia (13th-21st of February) to discuss about the importance of Democracy & Human Rights and above all, to create a common understanding of the challenges young people face in the region.

The Training Course “Structured Participation in Democratic Processes”, organized under the leadership of the Catalan National Youth Council, offered an excellent space to contribute to the youth cooperation in Euro-Med region.

Tackling on subjects like Human Rights, understanding of Democracy, tools for structured participation and youth involvement, the one week TC managed to address challenging issues in the present society, while giving space for better understanding different situations in the region.

 

 “Relative” – one of the key words of the week

Many of us speak easily about Democracy, what it is, how it should look like, what countries are doing better and what countries need improvement, just like many of us still take for granted the freedom of expression or the right to assembly.

The TC offered a wonderful opportunity, on the one hand, to take two steps back and question our usual understandings & stereotypes, while on the other hand to explore our own realities with a different mindset. Therefore, at the end of our debates, we have often concluded that our individual understandings about the different concepts are rather relative (and flexible), while the different Democratic experiences, in both Northern and Southern Euro-Med region, may still have strong resemblances.

 

“Freedom of participation” – a universal human right?

In both formal and informal moments of the TC we had the occasion of talking about youth participation, either in elections, NGOs or street manifestations.

Discussing recent experiences, such as the EU elections, Tunisian elections or the upcoming elections in Egypt, one conclusion was almost unanimous – youth participation in elections is (still) very low – either because they distrust the political representatives, they lack non-biased information or they just don’t feel hope for true change.

Nevertheless, when we talk about other forms of participation, the reasons for (non)participation are rather different, and very often they are not a choice. Thus, we have learnt from our colleagues coming from Southern Euro-Mediterranean countries that, in some cases, the very establishment of a NGO needs special approval from the Government, while street manifestations could be forbidden and when they happen, they could end up with participants in prison…

 

At the end of the week, one conclusion is clear: part of the “magic” and the real added value of these TCs is the simple fact that realities we only see on TV or read about in newspapers get to have a face and a name, therefore, contributing to a much deeper understanding of the situation than that presented by the mass-media.

Meeting young people from the whole region is on the one hand a learning process but is, most of all, an opportunity to work for better societies. In a globalized society, young people are the ones who understand the importance of cooperation with respect to all cultures,  as well as the need to work together – as equals – when there are common challenges.

This Training Course will continue with projects which are going to be implemented in the next year and beyond. Another meeting will be organized within the 3rd Mediterranean University 2015.

Social Doers, as a Think-Tank & Resource Center, is highly committed to contribute to the Euro-Med process. The context offered by this cooperation supports Social DOers’ efforts of working for the long-term strategic priorities: youth employment, youth work, youth in conflict management & peace building and empowerment of girls & young women.

 

*The Training Course was possible with the financial support of ERASMUS+

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