Democracy Youth Camp 2022

What forms of political participation exist in Switzerland and the surrounding countries? Which of these work well and why? During the Democracy Camp - a camp that brings together more than 50 teenagers and young adults - participants can exchange ideas on this topic, contribute their personal experiences and learn about the best options for political participation. The Democracy Camp is organized by the DSJ in collaboration with Democracy International (Germany).

Background

While various developments cast a negative light on the state of democracy in Europe, the Democracy Camp would like to highlight other, positive developments. Far from the negative headlines, numerous new forms of political participation are emerging across Europe and they deserve to be better known and disseminated by and for young people. It is therefore important to create an exchange platform for young people where they can exchange their personal experiences across national borders in order to contribute their knowledge and get to know new forms of political participation themselves. This project offers the necessary platform for this.

Goals

• An intercultural exchange between young people from different European countries with a focus on passing on democratic values
• Recording and passing on knowledge based on successful projects (conception, financial fundraising, implementation, evaluation)
• Identification and development of best practices for political youth participation

Method

From 14th to 18th An English-speaking camp for over 50 young, politically interested people between the ages of 15 and 25 will be organized in September 2022. The young people are accompanied by camp leaders and experts. The composition of young people should be as diverse as possible. For this reason, the participants should come from six different countries: from the host countries Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany (35 people in total) and the host countries Austria, France, Italy (5 people each). The Democracy Camp will take place in Bern and Central Switzerland, more precisely in the canton of Schwyz. Participation is free for teenagers and young adults.