Youth Movements in Times of Political Polarisation: Strengthening values in a divided times
From 11 to 15 February 2026, 25 young Scouts and Erasmus Student Network members met in Timișoara, Romania, for the Innovative Thinking Lab on “Youth Movements in Times of Political Polarisation.” Hosted by Fundația Județeană pentru Tineret Timiș (FITT) and Global Platform Romania, the event brought together young leaders from across Europe to explore how representatives from a-political youth movements can promote democracy and peace in increasingly divided societies.
During the five-day event, participants looked at how political polarisation affects communities, online spaces, and youth movements. They had open discussions about the challenges of disinformation, conflict, and social tensions. The group also talked about what it means to be ‘a-political’ while supporting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. By meeting with experts and activists, participants learned new ideas and saw how youth leaders can help bring people together and create positive change in difficult times.
One highlight of the Innovative Thinking Lab was the range of expertise shared in sessions, from academic lectures to talks by activists. Speakers like Tică Darie, Ilinca Petrescu, Laura Pistarini, Tim Mortimer, Ioan Ioniță and Mihai Vacariu made the event engaging by sharing their personal and professional stories. They spoke about civic engagement, mental health, experiences in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza, interreligious dialogue, and community leadership. Their stories showed how strong values can inspire people to take action and turn their passions into meaningful careers.
Toward the end of the event, the focus shifted to taking action. Participants worked in teams, using design thinking to develop practical strategies for their organisations to encourage dialogue and bridge divides. Their ideas included improving how sensitive topics are discussed and creating safe spaces for open conversations among youth with different viewpoints. The key takeaway was that in polarised times, youth movements can help people listen, understand, and work together, building the foundation for stronger, more united communities.
About the Voices of Change project
Organised in the framework of the Voices of Change project, the Innovative Thinking Lab series is a participatory, design-based training format that empowers youth leaders to collaboratively explore complex societal challenges. The first Lab, “Youth Movements in Times of Political Polarisation”, took place in Romania from February 11 to 15, 2026. The second Lab will focus on fake news, digital, and media literacy and will be hosted in France from March 26 to 30, 2026.
The Voices of Change project, a collaboration between World Scouting and ESN with the support of Erasmus+, aims to amplify the voices of young people at the forefront of civic engagement and peacebuilding. By listening to young people and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to take action, the project aims to empower youth where it matters the most: in shaping the future.