Youth DemocrAID: Final International Conference
16.03.2026
On March 10, 2026, the final international conference of the YouthDemocrAID: Education, Debate, Action project took place, serving as a moment of meeting and reflection aimed at publicly sharing the main results achieved through out the project. The event was held at the Centro Sociale Montanari and included the participation of the local community and the project partners from Poland, Greece, Slovakia, and Portugal. The gathering was conceived as a space for dialogue where the importance of young people’s active participation in democratic life was discussed. The session was led by Giada Artioli, who guided the audience through the different moments of the event, creating an atmosphere of conversation and reflection on the importance of active civic engagement.
The event began with an introduction that aimed to frame the purpose of the meeting and reflecton some of the most meaningful experiences that emerged during the project’s activities. In this introduction, particular emphasis was placed on the direct interaction with young people in school environments, especially through the workshops that were carried out. One of the most significant experiences mentioned was an activity in which students were invited to create their own political party. To complete the task, they had to choose a name, define three core values, and present three political proposals. Through this exercise, the students were able to experience, in a simplified way, some of the fundamental dynamics of democracy, such as dialogue, negotiation, and the search for agreements within a group. The introduction also reflected on some of the responses presented by the students. In certain cases, proposals emerged that supported stronger state control or greater restrictions on individual freedoms. These responses prompted a reflection on the sense of insecurity that many people experience today and on how, in some situations, that insecurity can translate into a search for more power and control. From this observation, the importance of promoting an active form of citizenship based on dialogue, personal responsibility, and the creation of truly democratic spaces, where every voice can be heard, was highlighted.
Following the introduction, the session continued with an interview with Oriana Galletti, a municipal councillor with extensive experience in political participation at the local level. During the conversation, Galletti shared her personal path and explained how her political engagement began at a young age through participation in student movements. Through out the interview, she emphasized the importance of civic participation for the functioning of democracy, explaining that participation does not only mean direct involvement in institutional politics, but also staying informed, engaging in dialogue with others, and contributing to community life. One of the most interesting aspects of the interview was the description of local initiatives designed to involve young people in civic life, particularly activities dedicated to those who are about to turn eighteen. During these encounters, moments of reflection are organized around the Constitution and the rights and duties of citizens, encouraging young people to understand their role within society. Galletti also stressed the importance of creating spaces for intergenerational dialogue, where the experience of older generations can meet the ideas and energy of younger ones.
The final part of the event was marked by a cultural moment featuring the performance of the duo Heel and Toe. The group performed a selection of Italian and international songs with strong social and political themes. Through the combination of guitar and bass, the musicians created an atmosphere that moved between more intimate moments and more energetic ones, inviting the audience to reflect on issues such as peace, social justice, and civic engagement. The performance demonstrated how music can also serve as a form of political expression and as a tool to encourage critical reflection and dialogue.
Overall, the final event represented an important moment of sharing and collective reflection on the role of active participation in building more democratic societies. Through the introduction, the interview, and the musical performance, the event highlighted how active citizenship can take many different forms, from dialogue and political participation to artistic expression, while all contributing to strengthening democratic life and civic awareness within communities.
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