University of Youth and Development in Mollina discusses Youth Organisations as Actors for Change

More than 230 participants from 80 different countries gathered at the University of Youth and Development (UYD) in Mollina, Spain, last week to discuss the role of youth organisations as actors for change.

The aim of this year’s University, held from 20th to 27th of September, was to offer a space to young people to reflect on how youth organisations are bringing about change in society and how to maximise their impact and increase the recognition of their work.

Trainings on specific issues were run by the partner youth organisations. A large range of top topics were covered including: Social rights and social inclusion of young people, intercultural learning, human rights education, the Sustainable Development Goals, digital competences in youth organisations, young women empowerment, global education, and so on.

The UYD, which coincided with the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development, also campaigns for mainstreaming the youth perspective in development cooperation. The University’s goal is to adopt a holistic approach to development through economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

In a powerful video made up of testimonials, participants and partner organisations expressed their calls for action, highlighting how young people are contributing to change in their societies and demanding youth rights to be fulfilled across the globe.

Established in 2000, the University of Youth and Development is organised yearly by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe (NSC) together with the Spanish government (INJUVE), the Spanish Youth Council and the European Youth Forum, and with the support of the Latin American Youth Forum and other youth organisations.

In addition to discussing specific themes, the UYD offers the possibility for youth organisations to network and share good practice and new projects. For instance, the European Youth Forum organised a workshop to present its Digital storytelling project, aimed at gathering the unique personal stories of the value and impact of being involved in youth organisations.

“The workshop triggered some personal reflection on the participants’ own engagement in their organisations, and about what is the story they have to tell,” says Laura López-Bech from the European Youth Forum.

For more information, visit the homepage of University of Youth and Development here.

Watch the digital stories on youth work produced by the European Youth Forum with ReRoute here.