Shaping the Future: Empowering Youth Workers with Debate and Sustainability Tools in the Netherlands

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Nov 20, 2024

Project meeting for the Empowering Youth Work for the Green Debate project in Netherlands, brought together project partners to test debate-based tools combining climate education and sustainability. Case studies explored topics like economic growth versus environmental regulation, inspiring youth workers to spark meaningful discussions on green transitions. Networking activities, including board games, strengthened informal bonds among members.

This past month, the Empowering Youth Work for the Green Debate project convened a training event in the picturesque town of Soest, Netherlands. The event took place from the 3rd to 6th of November. Hosted by IDEA (International Debate Education Association), the event brought together project partners, the Danish Debate Association (DDA), Hrvatsko Debatno Društvo (HDD, Croatian Debate Society), and Commun Global (Spain), to review the progress of this innovative Erasmus+ initiative.

The focus was on refining the case study collection and assessing its practical application. These case studies are central to the project, designed to empower youth workers with tools that merge debate methodologies and climate education to spark meaningful discussions on sustainability among young people.

The mentioned case studies include an insight into questions such as “Who Should Take Global Responsibility?”, “Should companies or individuals bear the greatest burden of green transition?”, “The Political Trade-Off Between Economic Growth and Environmental Regulations”, and “Is Extremist Climate Activism Justified?” and offer a unique insight into what debate-based youth work can bring to climate awareness and green transition.

Moving beyond traditional settings, participants tested the case studies in interactive, outdoor environments. One notable activity took place on the sand dunes, where attendees engaged in debates exploring the tension between economic growth and environmental regulation. The immersive natural surroundings added a new dimension to the discussions, demonstrating the power of experiential learning in fostering critical engagement with complex issues.

The event also served as a platform for strategic planning and collaboration. Partners shared insights and feedback, ensuring the materials are adaptable to diverse cultural and educational contexts across Europe. Discussions covered the upcoming phases of the project, including the continued development of the digital platform and preparation for further dissemination efforts. We are all already looking forward to our next event in December in Croatia.

These productive days in Soest exemplified the project’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact. As the Empowering Youth Work for the Green Debate initiative continues to build momentum, this event marked a significant step in equipping youth workers to inspire the next generation of climate advocates.