"BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD" BACKGROUND 40 young people from Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Montenegro, Italy, Spain, Egypt and Palestine meet for one week in January 2016 in the town of Bonn, Germany. Under the slogan "Be the change you want to see in the world" they exchange their attitudes and values and develop on a joint vision of a participatory society. The results will be documented and presented to motivate the participants. PROJECT AIMS (1) 40 young adults from six European and two neighbouring countries meet each other, learn about values and attitudes of the other participants and grow together to one group in the course of the exchange (2) They develop ideas of a participatory society, discuss their responsibility for a world society and learn about ways to contribute their concerns and wishes to social and political debates (3) Through participatory methods and a trustful atmosphere the participants reduce prejudices and reservations towards "the other". Their intercultural awareness is strengthened. (4) The participants test themselves and their competences by developing, organizing and implementing a joint action in public PARTICIPANTS All 40 (five from each partner organization) participants come from centres/ institutions of the Salesians of Don Bosco. Around 15 of them have a socially disadvantaged background. ACTIVITIES The main activity is the youth exchange from 18.01.-25.01.2016 in a youth hostel in Bonn, Germany. The activity will last eight days and is full of group-bonding methods and intercultural exchange, Inputs on the topic of participation, a simulation on the impact of formal and non-formal formats of participation as well as speakers and excursions. The exchange is also geared towards the contribution of the participants to a big event called "Don Bosco Forum" with 600 guests on January 25th 2016. Furthermore a preparation week-end of the four international trainers (from Poland, Egypt and two from Germany) and the project coordinator will take place in October or November. (This seminar is not part of the budget in this application but should be named as a key element in the preparation process). PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION Before the preparation meeting the participants of the youth exchange will be consulted and asked to contribute their experiences with the topic participation (e.g. methods, workshops, presentations) and to utter their wishes and expectations of the exchange and its program. The youth exchange week will be moderated and evaluated by four international trainers with a wide range of experience in intercultural trainings. Two trainers have profound experience on the topic of participation and have already implemented trainings in this field. EXPECTED IMPACT After the youth exchange the particpants will have - a clearer idea of mentalities and situations in the home countries of the other participants - an increase in self-confidence concerning their possibilities to take influence in society - ideas for projects they can implement in their home countries LONG-TERM BENEFITS It is inherent in education projects that the indirect, long-term impacts become visible only later and can depend on several different factors. However the impact will be strengthened if the participants stay in contact with their organizations and the other participants and also through other organizations with similar contents and offers. With this exchange we would like to give an impulse so that young people understand Europe with its cultural diversity as a chance to approach neighbours and to think and act across borders. We wish to motivate and trigger the pleasure to actively participate and shape society and to stand up for their opinions and values. In face of the global challenges we are facing today - gap between rich and poor, environmental problems and climate change as well as migration - participation is becoming a crucial topic. Through the documentation of this youth exchange we want to share our experiences and give an example to other agencies to work on participation with young people.