From October 04th to 14th, 2024, youth leaders from our partner organisations participated in the training course “Disinformation, media and manipulation with media in democratic societies and how to stay democratic in these time”. The activity took place in Avrillé-les-Ponceaux, France, and brought together 30 participants from North Macedonia, France, Sweden, Estonia, and Croatia. Event was organized as part of the ongoing EYT project, “Do You Know Your Democracy?”.
During these ten days, participants began with a warm welcome and activities designed to foster connections and share their hopes and expectations. They explored the city through a city hunt, which included team-building exercises and debriefing sessions. As the program progressed, participants delved into media literacy, discussing the role of social media in society and its impact on young people. They examined media’s influence on democracy, learning about media manipulation and practical fact-checking techniques. A focus on disinformation led to sessions on recognising fake news. Participants then created and delivered workshops, culminating in a TED Talk that inspired further discussion. The week concluded with a Community Day and activities aimed at creating visibility content, allowing participants to showcase their learnings and engage with young people in their local communities.
This activity was implemented as part of the “Do You Know Your Democracy?” project, an innovative educational initiative aimed at enhancing civic knowledge and engagement. Through this project, we strive to empower individuals by providing accessible, comprehensive, and engaging resources about democratic systems, processes, and values.