More information
Description
The project “Cultural Diplomacy Youth Forum AGORA” will be the starting point of the participation of the young people with concerns in order to establish a new social debate on the Greek cultural identity. By taking part in it, the participants will have the opportunity to be members of an establishment which realises the very essence of democracy by cultivating moral virtues such as respect for discussion and diversity of opinion while giving them at the same time the opportunity to express their personal opinions leading thus to the development of the sense of their personal and collective responsibility. The establishment of the project “AGORA” is considered to be an imperative, as it will awaken the political awareness of the young. In addition, the crisis of the political institutions and the reduced participation of the young in civil society confirm the aforementioned. So, the purpose of Agora is to operate in an innovative way, adapted to the contemporary needs, and cultivate the political and social awareness. This initiative will include the presentation of the key aspects of Cultural Diplomacy. Interactive exercises with contemporary examples of Cultural Diplomacy will follow presented by the means of technological tools (of non-formal education). After that, a debate will follow on the basis of specific questions. At the same time, our event will be video recorded in the website of our institute which has 20.000 subscribers. In conclusion, the people who will benefit from this venture will be young people aged 18-30 years old who will actively participate in making political decisions during public debates and who will promote volunteering and mutual respect. In the end of the event, they will be able to have an overall view on specialised aspects of political life such as Cultural Diplomacy.
Summary of project results
Τhroughout its main educational events, the initiative ''Cultural Diplomacy Youth Forum Agora'' gave the opportunity to the participants: a) to become familiar with the principles of Cultural Diplomacy objects, b) to collaborate in public dialogue related to Cultural Diplomacy and promote its integration in civic society, c) to enhance their skills through education and acquaintance of good practices, in order to reinforce country’s soft power, which consecutively leads to nation branding enhancement. The young men and women who participated in this project gained new impetus regarding their participation in the public affairs and interacted with the exercise of foreign policy through soft power, while they also met several students from different universities with whom they developed ties and continued their academic discussions, after the events, confirming the coherent and supportive role of Cultural Diplomacy in the interpersonal relationships of individuals. In conclusion, the total amount of direct engagement of young people aged 18-30 who were trained in involvement in the open democratic community''s functions, was 193 persons as the statistics revealed throughout their participation in the events.