“Enabling young people to discover the world by learning from their cultural differences”: this is the youth hostels’ commitment to young people. How? By organizing annual intercultural meetings. They bring together young people from different countries for a residential stay in a youth hostel. Exchanges and debates, participative and creative workshops, free time, visits and excursions… A collective and cosmopolitan time focused on the culture of peace.
Future of Europe: review of the 2024 edition
Participating countries : France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain
The 6th “Future of Europe” intercultural meeting was held from June 17 to 23 in Guimaraes, Portugal. A total of 7 European countries will be represented by young people aged 18 to 26 (teams of 5 per country).
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- The aim of this event? To offer young people with an interest in European issues a time of exchange and discussion on the prospects for Europe.
- Topics covered: What about the European Union and youth unemployment? What about the rise of populist parties in Europe and the multicultural society? What’s the latest on the European Youth Goals? And the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)?
- On the program: the meeting is based on “dialogue sessions” (times for debate led by a facilitator) as well as themed and tourist visits. All in English!
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On the French side, Solène, Adrien, Saphir, Gaïtan and Carla attended this now unmissable event, rich in discovery and exchange.
Future of Europe…
- encourage exchanges and dialogue between young people
- debate European issues together
- to encourage people to explore opportunities in Europe.
The program
- the program is based on “dialogue sessions” (or times for debate led by a facilitator), as well as themed and tourist visits.
- Working in a European country? What about populist movements and a multicultural society? What about the European Youth Goals? And SDGs? (Sustainable Development Goals)
- 100% expenses covered (travel, accommodation, catering and visits).
IOU Respect 2024 in Berlin and Warnemünde
Participating countries : Egypt, France, Germany, Lebanon, Tunisia, United States
IOU (I Owe You) Respect is the flagship event of HI’s national youth hostel associations. The aim of this meeting is to create a dialogue between the Arab and Western worlds. 6 countries take part every year: 3 Arab countries and 3 Western countries (Europe/USA).
This program was set up in support of the peace campaign launched by the International Youth Hostel Federation (Hostelling International) in 2002, in partnership with UNESCO. This international campaign was launched in the wake of the September 11 attacks, on the theme of “Youth Hostels in the service of peace and international understanding”, to promote the mission and values of the Youth Hostel movement worldwide.
The 2024 event ran from August 3rd to 15th in Germany.
Participants stayed at three youth hostels: HI Berlin-Ostkreuz, near the heart of Berlin; HI Berlin-Am Wannsee, nestled by a lake; and HI Warnemünde, a Baltic Sea seaside resort.
Four French individuals embarked on this incredible journey:
– Cécile, a seasoned 27-year-old team leader, familiar with the program from 2015;
– Ilana, 18, an administrator and member of the ANACEJ’s Youth Communication Committee (Com’J), as well as a young regional advisor for the Brittany region;
– Léo-Onam, 23, Student Vice-President of La Rochelle University (representing La Rochelle students), President of the university’s European Student Board EU-CONEXU, Member of the La Rochelle Agglomeration Development Council;
– Julien, 20, an administrator and member of the ANACEJ’s Youth Communication Committee (Com’J), and a young regional advisor for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
IOU Respect allows…
- enrich your knowledge of other cultures
- develop your intercultural communication skills
- encourage your actions in favor of constructive intercultural exchanges
- promote mutual understanding.
Meeting program
- Program highlights: “dialogue sessions” provide an opportunity to express and compare points of view on issues such as identities, religion, stereotypes and conflict…
- A great deal of time is devoted to exchanges and getting to know other people and their cultures, through fun, cultural and sporting activities: group games, country presentation evenings…
- Free time to facilitate exchanges.
- Sightseeing and cultural visits will be chosen following a survey of all participants.
FUAJ, Canva
