From March 18–23, 2024, youth workers and educators from Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary gathered at the Stella Maris Guesthouse in Domaszék, Hungary, to participate in a training under the Erasmus+ project Hard Topics. The training aimed to address the growing challenge of polarization among young people and strengthen the skills of educators to foster dialogue despite differences of views and opinions.
Throughout the week, participants explored key elements of non-violent communication, emotional self-regulation, and the creation of “brave spaces” where disagreement can lead to learning rather than conflict. Sessions combined theory and practical exercises, such as deep listening workshops, trust-building activities, and the practice of facilitating controversial discussions with civility.
A highlight of the training was the introduction of a new web application designed to connect individuals with opposing views for constructive conversation — an innovative tool for youth workers and educators to bring dialogue into their communities.
The event closed with participants drafting action plans to implement what they had learned in their local contexts. Supported by ongoing mentoring from partner organizations, they organized local workshops to bring the project’s methods and messages to young people across Europe.
