From May 30 to June 6, 2024, Soroti village hosted the transformative School of Humanness, a pivotal initiative aimed at promoting democratic engagement and active participation among youth workers dealing with marginalized young people. This significant event was co-organized by four esteemed European organizations—Libera (Italy), Between (Portugal), OBESSU (Belgium), and “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (Cyprus)—in collaboration with the Intercultural Development Agency, as part of the “HUMANNESS: EU Social Challenges and Civic Engagement for Solidarity” project (n° 2022-1-IT03-KA220-YOU-00008960).
The School of Active Citizenship in Uganda served as an innovative platform for youth workers from both EU and non-EU countries to engage in profound discussions on the challenges of solidarity and the essential values of civic engagement in a globalized context. The School of Humanness, a distinctive training program, addressed critical themes such as peace, solidarity, social justice, child protection, social inclusion, systemic well-being and awareness, civic participation, democracy, and youth empowerment for sustainable development. Each participating organization led specialized training sessions in a non-formal learning setting, sharing their expertise to cultivate a collaborative and enriching educational environment.
Participants immersed themselves in the local culture through a visit to Omiito village, in Kapir sub-county (Eastern Uganda), where they observed the impactful work of IDA to transform it into an Environmental Educational Hub. The participants had the chance to interact directly with the local community, learning about their culture, and habits, and fostering a sense of intercultural dialogue and connection. Additionally, a visit to the Italian Embassy in Kampala provided a platform for an engaging discussion with the Italian Ambassador, exploring the project’s milestones and presenting the PLACE network – Peace and Liberation in Africa through Change and Engagement coordinated by Libera.
A key highlight of the school was the introduction of the Youth Community Engagement Model, a toolkit offering professional resources for youth workers to enhance their capacity and knowledge in the field of active citizenship and solidarity.
The workshop created an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange on youth engagement, boosting the self-awareness of youth workers, and examining democratic leadership strategies to involve young people effectively.
The event successfully united diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to civic engagement and solidarity among young people from various countries. This initiative marks a significant step in building a more inclusive and participatory future for youth worldwide.
