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Polarization is an issue that trespasses borders, and thus, cannot be tackled without seeing its manifestation within different contexts. This is one of the pillars that this training session on polarization prevention aimed to provide by gathering young people from 4 distinct nationalities, putting them together not only to make them learn about how to tackle polarization in their realities via the theoretical teachings of the instructors, but also via the interaction of the group itself and their exchange of personal experiences. This form of education, informal learning, had many benefits for us in different aspects. When it comes to the theoretical dimension, we have dove through simplified frameworks to analyze complex social situations such as the intertwining of polarization and conflict or the underpinning of polarization as a phenomenon. However, practical translations of the built knowledge were a crucial component of our learning experience. De-polarization practices were learned by the facilitation of group dynamics and the sharing of others’ best practices.

On a more personal level, we are happy to say that this opportunity completely surpassed our expectations, as it did not only fulfilled our professional needs as engaged young people working to fight extreme polarization, but also our inner self. We were able to learn how to better work with people from different backgrounds, enrich our cultural knowledge, broaden our linguistic horizons and create memories with the team that will surely remain on our minds for years. 

Many societies are currently facing the issue of polarization. It increases the gaps in societies and enhances the “Us” vs. “Them” dynamics among communities. And to prevent polarization and contribute to the process of depolarization, a project entitled “Euro-Med Youth Work for Intercultural Democratic Citizenship Preventing Polarization” is being conducted. The project consists of three different phases. The first phase was an implementation of a training course for a group of youth workers from four different countries. The course addressed the theories and the models of polarization and depolarization while delving deeper into the different roles that can be played during the process. The conflict cycle and the polarization cycle have been addressed, which helped us further understand the different phases of the cycle and the ones where preventing polarization can be achieved. On the other hand, the theory was accompanied by the practice, where we discussed the different initiatives in different contexts, as well as practiced simulation and interactive activities that helped us better relate the theory with the practice. The training course included an intercultural exchange between participants from different Euro-Mediterranean countries, which provided us with the opportunity to discover, learn, and contribute from our diverse experiences.

The training course will be followed by the implementation of local initiatives and reaching out to different target groups, aiming at contributing to the depolarization process where the people can reconnect, recognize, and reconcile with each other.