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EDUzmiany

2023-3-PL01-KA154-YOU-0001726562023Youth participation activitiesfinalized
Countries: PL · Grant: €31,060
Democracy and inclusive democratic participationDigital transformation planning and implementationReaching the policy level/dialogue with decision makers

Objectives

The project was born out of the initiative of young people who recognized an important gap in the Polish education system - the lack of a real space for dialogue between young people and decision-makers about the future of education. Despite a number of system reforms, it remains largely unadapted to the challenges of the modern world. In an era of dynamic technological change, digitization, the development of artificial intelligence or social change, the school has not kept up with reality. It still operates according to an outdated model that does not develop soft skills, support individual interests, or prepare young people for informed participation in social and civic life. Our observations show that the voice of young people rarely appears in the public debate, despite the fact that they are the ones directly affected by the consequences of decisions made by adults. For this reason, we decided to take matters into our own hands and create a space where young people could present their ideas, opinions and needs related to education, and where decision-makers could listen to them, answer questions and confront their plans with students' actual expectations. The “Eduzchange” project involved multi-stage activities: from workshops and meetings with experts, to local debates with communities and local authorities, to national discussions with representatives of ministries and parliament. We wanted young people to be able not only to speak up, but also to gain specific competencies - to learn how to plan social actions, how to cooperate in a group, how to debate and how to effectively communicate their position. The goals of our project are: To create a dialogue between youth and decision-makers in the state about the education system in Poland - that is, to initiate a real dialogue between youth and decision-makers in the state about the education system in Poland. Activating youth, and local communities - that is, activating youth and local communities by involving them in the debate on important social issues. Threats and opportunities following education reform - that is, showing the threats and opportunities associated with education reforms, as well as educating about them. To engage 40 young people in the affairs of the state, people from different backgrounds in education advocacy. Gaining knowledge by participants on education reform Organizing debates on the education system from the position of local government officials, parents, young people, and decision makers from the Ministry of Education Involving young people to develop civic attitudes We wanted young people to be able not only to speak up, but also to gain concrete competencies - learn how to plan actions Involving young people in developing civic attitudes Comparing the educational system in Poland,and other EU countries Formulating and presenting to decision-makers a common position of young people, as a result of workshops and debates. Confrontation of intergenerational perspectives Through non-formal education methods, the project not only allowed participants to gain knowledge in a practical and engaging way, but also builds in young people a sense of influence and responsibility for shaping social reality. Our project shows that their voice counts, that they can actively participate in the creation of educational policy and change it according to their needs.

Project partners (1)