Over a hundred young people came together as "rebels for peace" at the Pestalozzi Children's Village summer camp. For thirteen days, the young people from eight different countries learnt, discussed, doubted and grew together. A journey lasting more than two weeks.
From the outside, the camp looked like an international class reunion: Young people from Poland, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Switzerland and France lived together for a fortnight in the houses of the Pestalozzi Children's Village. The young people deliberately lived together in mixed groups, as this created diverse, cross-cultural house communities. This created an awareness of the importance of respect, openness and cooperation in everyday situations.
But there was more to the intercultural exchange project than just a summer camp. It was about learning and development, exchange and cross-border connections. The focus was on questions that currently concern young people: What does peaceful coexistence look like? How can intercultural dialogue be achieved on an equal footing? How can we help shape a sustainable society?
Changemakers of the future
In workshops and dialogue formats, the young people actively addressed these topics. "At first I was sceptical as to whether I could integrate," said Militsa (17) from Serbia, "but now I'm happy to be here - I have new friends, new thoughts, a new sense of myself." Militsa attended the Build Bridges, Not Walls workshop. It was about inclusion, human rights and personal identity. Francesca (16) from Moldova also drew her first conclusions after just a few days: "It's different here, you change at the Pestalozzi Children's Village. Because you take on responsibility, think for others, make new friends. And because you suddenly do things that you wouldn't have dared to do before."
"You change at the Pestalozzi Children's Village."
Everyday life at the summer camp was packed. The workshops formed the centrepiece of the content: There's no Planet B - but there is you, Global Challenges and Shifting Perspectives or Our Stories, Our Rights - behind the titles were multi-layered discussions on global issues, personal attitudes and collective visions. In addition to the intensive workshops, there was time for a varied leisure programme: whether playing beach volleyball, making music, going for walks together, excursions to St. Gallen or long, sociable evenings - the participants were able to organise their free time entirely according to their own ideas.
At the end of the camp, Francesca and the other participants planned specific ideas and projects that they wanted to implement in their school or community. In the so-called action plans, they recorded what they would like to achieve in their surroundings after their return - for example for a clean environment or to strengthen diversity of opinion and dialogue. The action plans help the ideas to grow, and the summer camp helps them to become actively involved.
From participant to supervisor
Rina's (23) story shows how the summer camp can have a lasting impact on young people. In 2016, she was a participant herself, now she was on the other side as a supervisor. Together with two others, she managed one of the houses in which the young people lived during the summer camp. "Back then, I would never have thought how much of an impact the camp would have on me," she said. Today, she is a teacher in North Macedonia and wants to pass on what she herself learnt here: Taking responsibility - for herself and for others. "Some people think that everyday tasks during their stay, such as cleaning the house or doing the washing up, are secondary," she said and laughed. "But anyone who learns to take responsibility for a community here will take that with them for the rest of their lives." The participants learnt what it meant to be part of a community - with all its rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
"Anyone who learns to take responsibility for a community here will take this with them for the rest of their lives."
Supervisors such as Rina and Metin (45) not only accompanied the young people through their everyday lives, they actively helped to shape them. At the same time, they used the camp for their own further development: In workshops, they exchanged ideas among the supervisors from the different countries, reflected on their experiences and discussed challenges from their pedagogical practice. This year, Metin led a workshop for his colleagues on the topic of conflict resolution: "We not only learn from each other, we also contribute ourselves. It's a give and take at eye level."
As head of the partner organisation Center for Education and Development in North Macedonia, Metin had been involved with the Children's Village since 2013. He attended the summer camp for the first time that year. "We believe in the impact that is taught and exemplified here. That's why we keep coming back." At the Pestalozzi Children's Village, the young people broaden their social and cultural understanding, says Metin. Many come from a region where social diversity exists, but where this diversity is not always perceived as an opportunity. At the camp, they learn about these opportunities and this is often where an important thought process begins. The young people suddenly ask questions such as: Why doesn't this form of coexistence work here and at home? "They become more open, more tolerant and approach each other more actively," says Metin.
Impact that lasts
When young people come together and discuss issues relating to a sustainable society, a lot of positive things can flourish. The young people reflect on their attitudes, take responsibility for their actions and are actively committed to working together as a community. This year's summer camp also made it clear how children and young people acted with greater solidarity and actively helped to shape the way we live together, even in their free time. They took on responsibility and independently stood up for their needs and concerns - and those of their fellow human beings. They learn to meet other cultures at eye level and to take the position of the vis-à-vis. They learn that their voice is important in a functioning society. And last but not least, they get to know new people and make friends.
What remains? Perhaps a sentence from Metin: "If we look at the world: There are still open conflicts and wars. I think the Pestalozzi Children's Village is making a contribution to peace here. Many countries invest in the military and power, but only a few invest in peace. The 'Rebels for Peace' summer camp is an investment in peace for the next generation and also a signal to the world: we have to invest in it every day. Not wait until something bad happens, but take action now. And that's exactly what the Summer Camp does."
Or what 17-year-old Svenja from Poland gave the hundred other rebels for peace as a parting message:
"Be fierce in your kindness and stubborn in your belief that change is possible. What you do is important."
