Europe meets the World

The youth exchange gathered 42 participants from Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Romania in July/August 2025. During the project, young people explored similarities and differences between the history and culture of Europe and the rest of the world.

Objective 1: Learn about European values and the European project

  • Explored the history and goals of European unification and integration.

  • Studied foundational EU documents like the European Declaration of Human Rights and the Berlin Declaration.

  • Critically compared European ideals with the political reality in participants’ own countries.

  • Learned about democratic systems, checks and balances, and threats like authoritarianism and populism.

  • Discussed contemporary European leaders and democratic backsliding.

  • Analyzed the challenges facing the EU, such as Brexit, populism, and illiberal democracies.

  • Compared how other regions address issues like immigration and tolerance.

  • Debated the potential expansion of the EU to Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

  • Reflected on Europe’s global role and interventions.

  • Discussed youth engagement in promoting European values.

Objective 2: Become more tolerant, accepting, and inclusive toward minorities and marginalized groups

  • Examined treatment of women, refugees, and LGBTI communities across the world.

  • Compared inclusion and equality in participants’ countries and other regions.

  • Discussed the societal benefits of inclusion and how marginalization lowers overall quality of life.

  • Explored how low income inequality and human rights in Europe correlate with high life satisfaction.

  • Reflected on Europe’s role in promoting global human rights and democracy.

  • Critically discussed military interventions, international aid, and volunteering in developing countries.

Objective 3: Learn about what constitutes a good society

  • Questioned the use of wealth as the primary measure of societal success.

  • Explored alternative indicators: happiness index, human development index, ecological footprint.

  • Discussed cultural relativism vs. ranking cultures through thinkers like Amartya Sen and John Rawls.

  • Learned that European countries often rank high on various global indices.

  • Developed a deeper appreciation for European identity and values.

  • Reinforced commitment to contributing to a just and equitable society.