The Youth Exchange that took place in Rettenegg, Austria from April 21st to 29th, 2023 was an amazing experience for the 48 participants from six different countries who attended. The project, called “One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Countering Hate Speech Through Art,” focused on addressing the issue of hate speech through various forms of art.
The project was implemented using non-formal education methods such as theatre, video making, working with clay, painting, debates, and group work. The participants had a lot of opportunities to interact with each other and exchange ideas about the topic of hate speech. The different workshops allowed them to explore their creative side while also learning how to counter hate speech using art.The participants produced amazing results during their time at Rettenegg. They created an exhibition of their artwork, made several videos, produced a booklet, and developed a website to showcase their work. These outputs are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the participants and their commitment to addressing the issue of hate speech.
The project was especially significant for newcomers who had never participated in a Youth Exchange before. The experience gave them the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, learn new skills, and develop friendships. The project would not have been possible without the support of the Erasmus+ program, which provided the participants with the opportunity to participate in this life-changing experience.
During the project, the participants worked on a well-documented booklet to spread the word about Countering Hate Speech on social platforms online. The link to the booklet is down below.
