Voices of Change - The Journey Begins in Polis Chrysochous!
- islandofhopecy
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
The wait is finally over! Today, our Erasmus+ Youth Exchange, "Voices of Change" (VOC), officially kicked off in the breathtaking coastal town of Polis Chrysochous, Cyprus.
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome 36 incredible young change-makers who have traveled from six different corners of Europe: Cyprus, Hungary, Albania, France, Germany, and Italy. From students and recent graduates to passionate grassroots activists and community workers, this diverse group has one massive thing in common: a burning desire to use storytelling to confront social inequalities and make their voices heard.
Breaking the Ice & Building Safe Spaces
Traveling across Europe can be exhausting, but the energy in the room was electric. Because a massive priority for our project is Diversity and Inclusion, we spent our very first afternoon breaking down walls and getting to know the human beings behind the passports.
Through a series of high-energy ice-breakers, name games, and team-building activities, the initial awkwardness quickly dissolved into laughter. We didn't just stop at having fun, though. To make sure everyone felt safe, respected, and valued, especially our participants who have faced social injustices or fewer opportunities, we collectively established our "Golden Rules". This session was crucial for setting the tone of empathy, solidarity, and mutual respect that will guide us all week.
Setting the Scene: What is VOC All About?
Once the group started bonding, we gathered for our first official Informative and Orientation Session. Our group leaders introduced the core essence of the project. In today’s fast-paced digital era, the landscape of storytelling has completely transformed. While we have more tools than ever, actually getting society and decision-makers to listen has become harder—leaving many young people feeling ignored or marginalized.
Over the next few days, this project is going to equip our participants with the mindful digital abilities, media literacy, and communication skills needed to change that narrative.
Major Learning Outcomes of Day 1:
Community & Group Synergy: Participants successfully navigated the initial cross-cultural communication barriers, building a strong foundation for teamwork.
Co-Creating a Inclusive Space: Together, we defined a shared code of conduct (the Golden Rules) ensuring a protective environment for all genders and backgrounds.
Surrounding Awareness: Everyone completed an orientation to get familiar with their local Cypriot surroundings, practical logistics, and health/safety protocols.
We capped off the night with a delicious traditional dinner, looking out at the gorgeous garden views, realizing that while we come from different backgrounds, our goals for a better world are exactly the same.
The views, opinions, activities, and materials expressed within this project and publication are the sole responsibility of the beneficiary organization and its project partners and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
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