Think globally, act locally

Project description: Training Course “Think Globally, Act Locally” is concerned with the active participation of young people in democratic and social life. A democracy can not function properly without the participation of its citizens and unfortunately youth participation in political process is recently decrising. Young voter turnout becomes worse each year. However active citizenship for a democratic life is more than the duty to vote every 4 or 5 years. It also includes terms such as the value of citizens’ participation in civil society organisations and social movements, student participation in the governance of schools and universities, as well as democratic participation in the family. But unfortunately young people’s interest in taking the responsibility voluntarily in the society has significantly decreased and this poses a lot of threats to democratic life not only in national level but also in the wider world and European level.
Societies across the world need influential youth leaders equipped with skills and good knowledge who will raise awareness on the importance of active participation. Today’s young people volunteer more than old people; they are much better educated; and they are less likely to drink excessively or use drugs than previous generations of youth but that does not seem like a recipe for this political and social apathy around the world. What we need is to raise awareness among youth and encourage them to involve actively in democratic and social life. If we agree that problem of low active participation of youth is an international problem, why not to try to solve it and fight against it internationally?

Main objectives: To enhance the knowledge, skills and capacity of 35 youth workers and youth leaders from 17 different countries and equip them with the skills and knowledge to design and implement social action projects and tackle this global issue.
As it is stated in the article 165 of the Lisbon Treaty, one of the aims of the EU actions is ‘Encouraging the development of youth exchanges and of exchanges of socioeducational instructors, and encouraging the participation of young people in democratic life in Europe.’, and we are ready for action!