HUMAN RIGHTS 101

Project booklet is available on the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OzHTdJvG6PXI3c_jpVVoMypUOGF9CHbr/view?usp=sharing

From 23–31 July 2026, the Erasmus+ youth exchange Human Rights 101 brought together 57 participants from Croatia, Italy, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, and Bulgaria in the town of Orahovica, Croatia. The project created a dynamic intercultural learning environment where young people explored the foundations of human rights, exchanged perspectives, and developed the knowledge and skills needed to become active advocates for democratic values and social inclusion.

The main objective of the exchange was to empower participants to connect the historical and philosophical development of human rights with the challenges facing modern societies. Throughout the seven-day programme, participants examined how human rights have evolved from early philosophical concepts to today’s international legal frameworks, while discussing contemporary issues such as democracy, the protection of minority rights, freedom of expression, media freedom, equality, environmental rights, and the impact of digital communication on public discourse.

A key focus of the project was strengthening critical thinking and democratic awareness. Through interactive workshops, debates, simulations, group discussions, and intercultural activities, participants explored the relationship between democracy and human rights, including the concept of the “tyranny of the majority” and the importance of safeguarding minority rights. They also examined freedom of speech as a fundamental human right while discussing its ethical and legal limits, particularly in relation to hate speech and online communication.

The exchange encouraged meaningful dialogue between young people from different cultural and national backgrounds, allowing participants to compare the human rights situations in their respective countries and reflect on shared challenges and good practices. This international perspective fostered mutual understanding, intercultural learning, and stronger regional cooperation among the partner organizations.

By the end of the project, participants had strengthened their understanding of the historical development of human rights, improved their ability to analyze complex social and political issues, and gained practical advocacy skills. Working in international teams, they developed a Youth Manifesto and local action plans designed to address human rights challenges within their own communities, ensuring that the impact of the project extends beyond the mobility itself.

Human Rights 101 equipped young people with the knowledge, confidence, and collaborative experience to actively promote, protect, and defend human rights in their everyday lives. The exchange demonstrated the importance of international cooperation, dialogue, and youth participation in building more democratic, inclusive, and resilient societies across Europe.