Report8 January 2023, updated 10 April 20236 min read
Youth exchange: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion, Vienna
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion was a youth exchange that tackled some of today's most pressing issues. When we analyse social exclusion, one major underlying factor stands out: our ability to embrace diversity and enhance inclusion, which recent political polarisation has made even harder. Building mutual respect for and acceptance of diversity helps young people to be inclusive and to stand up against exclusion and xenophobia.
In this fully funded exchange, 42 young people from Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Türkiye spent nine days together in Vienna, from 4 to 12 September 2022. The exchange was solution-oriented rather than problem-focused: problems were discussed, but just as much time went into solving them. It helped participants grow in confidence, strengthened their sense of community and encouraged civic and social engagement.
Preparing at home
Before travelling, each country group researched inclusion and diversity practices in its own country, finding good practices and areas for improvement. All groups presented their country realities in Vienna to build a shared, wide understanding of the topics from different perspectives.
Day by day
Days 1–2
Getting to know each other
Team building, intercultural exchange and agreeing on group learning principles, then exploring diversity, inclusion, integration and exclusion. For most participants it was their first international exchange, and the first big gathering since the pandemic. Debates on inequality led us to add time for reflecting on our own identities and beliefs.
Day 3
Naming the concepts
A group mission to explore racism, discrimination, stereotypes, prejudices and positive discrimination, with short videos explaining the differences. In the afternoon: cooperation and solidarity in conflict situations. In the evening: exploring Vienna.
Day 4
Dialogue and media
Intercultural communication and community dialogue through debates, how media shapes our perceptions, and how misinformation, disinformation and malinformation affect diversity and inclusion. The evening was a board game night.
Day 5
From role-play to the street
Outdoor energisers and a mid-term evaluation, then role-plays of discriminatory scenes and their solutions. A surprise task followed: preparing a diversity and inclusion demonstration with posters and mottos.
Day 6
Taking it home
An inclusion challenge, then country groups planned local actions to implement in the following months. We closed with the final evaluation and a shared lunch at one long table, and participants documented their learning for their Youthpass certificates.
Day 7
Bonding
A day for strengthening the connections between participants through informal and intercultural activities.
Results that reached beyond the exchange
Many action plans were designed and many friendships were built. Besides the 42 participants, more than 100 people were reached directly through follow-up events organised by the participants, supported by the multimedia resources they created during and after the project.
In-person follow-ups so far have included a half-day workshop for a whole school class in Greece, a presentation for a school class in Hungary, a presentation and workshop for newcomers at the immigration office in France, and a presentation and workshop in Türkiye.
"I met so many amazing people from different backgrounds, and I discovered that, despite our differences, we all have so much in common. We all want to be accepted and respected for who we are."A participant
"Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords. It's up to all of us to embrace diversity in our own communities, whether through volunteering, cultural events or simply being kind and respectful to others."A participant
"It opened my eyes to the importance of understanding and valuing others. I really hope this programme can be replicated for more young people."A participant
Both the informal and the formal evaluations showed that participants were highly satisfied with the whole process and the content.
This international project was realised with the support of the Austrian National Agency OeAD of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. EMOTiC was the main coordinator and beneficiary.
Partners: Culture Clash Croatia (Croatia), Maison de l'Europe des Landes Wipsee (France), You in Europe (Greece), Youth Bridges Budapest (Hungary), ICSE & co. (Italy), Servicio Voluntario Europeo (Spain), Younclusion (Türkiye).
