Fourteen years ago the youth project imagine was launched. Since then it has grown internationally. Ten years ago the first partner project in Brazil was added. Today, it comprises four youth groups on three continents, who work together to promote more respect and less discrimination.
A brief look at imagine international Colombia by Xenia Jehli, Organizing Committee imagine international.
In addition to the high level of youth participation and networking, awareness raising is a core element of imagine international. Key issues such as discrimination, exclusion, co-determination and diversity are common to all groups. However, the thematic priorities that young people set themselves in their sensitisation work depend on their needs and circumstances. A core theme of the group in Colombia is the right to the city and the territory.
Overcoming invisible borders
In Medellín, a metropolis of millions, young people are still severely affected by the consequences of the drug wars. Unemployment and, as a result, poverty and violence are always present. The city is criss-crossed by so-called invisible borders, mostly streets or intersections at the end of the territory of a drug gang. An accidental crossing of these borders can, under certain circumstances, mean death. Certain squares or parks are also taken up and therefore avoided by the population.
Making public places usable again
One of the goals of imagine Colombia is to recast precisely such places by organizing public events under different auspices together with other groups. They invite people to become aware of their own neighbourhood and the actors in it and to stand up for their own rights. In addition to the discussion platforms, the young people would like to counteract this with various music and dance performances.
What makes a good life?
The right to the territory and its participation in shaping it is closely related to the guiding question of the "Buen vivir": what constitutes a good life, what are the common needs and how can we meet individual needs? Every two weeks imagine Kolumbien pursues these and similar questions with young people from other projects in the city.
imagine Colombia has a central function
They have already produced a number of video clips in which they present important findings from their collaboration and bring them to the public. Year after year, they thus carry a positive message to young people, who are a strong demographic group in Colombian society. The general feedback of the visitors of workshops, trainings, events and the festival encourages the group in its activities: imagine has become the linchpin for the youth dialogue in the region due to its networking and the chosen guiding themes.
