Active Solidarity | A youth project of solidarity & activists growth
Active Solidarity was a 10 days dynamic skills-based program for young people who have a strong interest in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and want to explore themselves, promote human rights, find their own way of how to be an activist, and leave their mark on today’s society.
The project took place in Nea Makri, Greece between the 27th of September and the 6th of October 2019. It brought together 35 young people from 6 European countries: Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Slovenia, and Spain. The project was co-organized together with the Active Rainbow Platform and the youth “Mission Possible” team. It was funded by the Erasmus+ program and the Greek Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (INEDIVIM).
During the program, participants got the opportunity through experiential and peer learning to discover different forms of activisms, meet with local activists of the LGBT+ spectrum in Athens, produce their own educational videos on the topics and organize street actions at Syntagma Square in Athens, to raise awareness on the LGBT+ Spectrum, diversity, inclusion and solidarity itself.
Below, we like to share, 2 of the major results, created by the group:
The first one, is the recap video of the project, showcasing the captured moments and highlights, the love and colors that were shared among the group and locals, literally and metaphorically.
The second one, is the “Active Solidarity” Short film, reflecting on the impact of inclusive education for LGBT+ youth, from the perspective and experience of participants themselves.
Some of the testimonials of participants include:
“This project was the best decision of my life. I learned things about myself I didn’t realize and felt emotions to the extent I didn’t think I can. Now I know that I’m able to feel things deeper than I thought. I’m able to love in so many different ways which don’t include the romantic side. During video making activity I felt so inspired as I have never felt before. And most importantly, I have never felt so accepted and free in my own expression as I did in the project.” – Dan | Latvia
“Active Solidarity did something enormous for all of us, gave us a necessary push to go out to the real world, collide with the real world without hurting us. It made us conscious of the importance to spread the idea that there isn’t only one life, one family or one type of love.” – Spanish Team
“I experienced a deep personal development and after the project’s end, I needed entire weeks to process the whole exchange, to rethink about all the amazing creatures I had the chance to meet, to understand what I learned, and to realize what every one of them gave to me, day by day. I felt empowered by the whole experience, and can’t wait for the next one.” – Anna | Italy
“None of us could have imagined how many forms activism could take: from family activism to video making, and from street actions to queer art. It became clear to all of us that it is possible to collect our experiences, capacities, and needs and use them for change and for doing activism.” – Ioanna & Manolis | Greece
- Posted by Yuli Zhelyazkov
- On Μάι 2, 2020
