In 2024 the Council of Europe organised the second edition of their “Young Activists for Democracy” training course at their Youth Centre in Hungary. The programme seeks to empower young activists and develop their competencies, thereby allowing them to play their part in revitalizing democracy. Each activist receives guidance and training to implement their own activist campaign in their diverse communities across the world. Our ESC volunteer, Michael Brennan, offers a brief reflection on his time as a participant in this training course.
On a Monday morning in April, twenty-nine young activists stumbled into a room on the fourth floor of the European Youth Centre in Budapest. They came from Georgia, Kosovo, Ireland, and everywhere in between. Some fought for LGBT rights, others for disabled people, and others still for the rights of migrant communities; a diverse crowd representing a variety of political causes. Yet, despite their differences, they were united in something very tangible: an unwavering commitment to democratic values and human rights.
I was among the twenty-nine activists that morning. Despite feeling somewhat out of my depth, I knew that I wanted to be there and I eagerly anticipated the week that was to come. We began the day with some team-building exercises as we deepened our understanding of activism and explored our personal experiences with it. The day ended with us gathering together for a cultural exchange. Throughout the night we sang songs, told stories, and recited poetry from our diverse communities.
Each day brought with it new challenges and new learning opportunities. On one afternoon session we participated in a mock town hall session. A spirited debate emerged, in which we contested the sanctity of ‘Sleepyville’ against the prospect of change. On another occasion we were challenged to prepare a presentation on a topic related to youth engagement in politics; through practical exercises we learned about the Reykjavik principles for democracy and its interconnectedness with the humans rights we hold so dearly.
Our final night at the Youth Centre consisted of fine dining, after which we bid farewell to each other and to the magnificent city of Budapest. And so concluded our week—a week of listening to each other and learning alongside one another, developing indissoluble bonds of friendship in the process. However, our journey is not over yet. Each participant will be conducting their own activist campaign for the Action Month for Democracy (September 15 – October 30). Stay tuned!
