More than 5 million refugees/asylum seekers and migrants entered EU in the past 5 years (Eurostat). Cultural diversity can have both positive and negative impacts on societies. On one hand, history has shown that times of financial crisis can lead to increased xenophobia and extremism. On the other hand, however, dialogue based on cultural diversity and art can be a tool for addressing the roots of conflict and for promoting social cohesion. The idea and inspiration of this project comes from the participants and feedback we received from our previous Youth Exchange project “Turning the Tide: Preventing Extremism and Radicalization” (2016-3-NO02-KA105-000830) which was successfully realized in 2017. Issues related to social inclusion remain even more relevant today and this project “Social Inclusion through Artistic and Cultural Dialogue” comes with wider and bolder approach towards social inclusion based on artistic and cultural communication and with expanded geography since it will take place in 2 countries (Armenia and Norway). Existing studies note that painting, drama, dance, music, literature, photography, film and other art forms provide all young people including immigrants and refugees a creative space for exploration and expression of identities, for challenging discrimination and social exclusion and for fostering intercultural dialogue. Other migrants´ and refugees´ cultural and artistic productions develop ways of expressing the challenges of the immigrant community in the destination country and to raise the voice against discrimination, therefore having a transformative role by contributing to community cohesion, structural integration and social change. Artistic expression can be an important tool in therapeutic settings also since it promotes self-esteem, facilitates the expression of emotions as well as the processing of traumatic experiences. Creative and artistic tools in therapies offer the means for refugees to explore and reconstruct their emotions and experiences related to conflict, violence and exile. Overall aim of the project: The main aim of this two-stage Youth Exchange “Social Inclusion through Artistic and Cultural Dialogue” is to create a platform where young people experience and practice artistic and cultural communication that leads to social inclusion and become change agents in their local communities in general and among refugees/asylum seekers and migrant communities in particular. This project consists of 2 Youth Exchange Activities; Youth Exchange A1 in Yerevan Armenia (28 November- 7 December 2019). Objectives; - Improve intercultural competences and integration of young people through Cultural and Artistic expression. - Empower participants to engage in their communities through artistic and cultural activities that foster dialogue and mutual understanding. - Analyze the current situation and risks facing young people today, particularly young people among refugees/asylum seekers and migrants. - Explore the concept and root causes of radicalization and extremism among youth and how Artistic and Cultural activities can help alleviate the problem and guide people towards harmony and inclusion. - Decide themes, topics and methods of the Youth Exchange Activity A2 Youth Exchange A2 in Oslo, Norway (15-22 June 2020). Objectives; - Practice promoting common European Values of tolerance, pluralism, non-discrimination, justice, solidarity and democracy though Artistic and Cultural expression. - Share good practices in fighting extremism and radicalization though Art and cultural activities. - Equip participants with knowledge and skills in the field of project management in order to enable them to develop quality youth projects. - Design and develop social inclusion projects for young people with fewer opportunities from refugees/ asylum seekers and migrants backgrounds based on artistic and cultural communication to be applied under Erasmus + Programme - Promote Erasmus + Programme and explain how young people can be involved in it. - Transfer knowledge and skills through developing and publishing online a booklet “Artistic and Cultural Communication for Social Inclusion” The Youth Exchange will be based on non-formal learning methods and principles, self-reflection, intercultural communication, artistic expression (including painting, drama, dance, music, literature, photography), cultural submersion (using the DIVE Model), group discussions, interactive presentations, participant’s lead workshops, team work,etc. Youthpass tool will be used throughout the project to help young people reflect regularly on their personal learning journeys and become more aware of their own learning. The project aims to create a learning space with better self-awareness and awareness of the group to enhance the results of the learning process and give birth to high quality artistic and cultural dialogue projects led by the participants in the future.