On the 5th, 6th, and 7th of May, GEYC's team has facilitated three focus groups, which are part of a bigger project led by the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and the European Training Foundation. The two organizations have joined forces to organize the ETF-UNESCO Conference “Building lifelong learning systems: skills for green and inclusive societies in the digital era”. As part of this process, it is believed that an essential part is to get the views and suggestions of young people in the Region on issues of green, inclusion, and lifelong learning. Youth's ideas will be presented at the conference, which will be attended by decision-makers from national governments, the EU, international organizations, and the private sector.
In regards to the green economy, young people discussed their perceptions of green jobs, how youth can support the green transition, what role does school play in this matter, and shared their recommendations for policymakers, educators, community organizations, or other stakeholders in their community to help the planet.
Concerning social inclusion, youth explored the most common reason for discrimination, harassment, or exclusion in their own countries, experience with discrimination in their schools, and brainstormed on what can young people do to support inclusion and combat discrimination, as well as how can schools, NGOs, the private sector, media, and governments do to help build a society that is more inclusive.
With reference to lifelong learning, youngsters talked about what skills they think are most important for their future, what kinds of support they need to choose their future studies or career, and gave recommendations on what schools could do better to support them in choosing a future career or educational path.
* GEYC's implication is part of the partnership with UNICEF to strengthen meaningful adolescent participation and engagement (online and offline) in programmes and in events in the ECA region.