Interfaith Dialogue and Youth Work

The project Interfaith Dialogue and Youth Work was organized in Topola, Serbia, with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. It brought together youth workers and leaders from across Europe to explore the role of interfaith dialogue in promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding among young people.

Religion can be a sensitive topic in education, and many youth workers hesitate to address it for fear of offending or creating conflict. However, interfaith dialogue is an essential part of preparing young people for a diverse world. This training course provided participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools to integrate interfaith dialogue into youth work, creating a stronger foundation for cooperation and peace.

Objectives

The training course aimed to:

• Equip youth workers with competences to address religious issues in youth work.

• Promote dialogue among young people from different religious backgrounds.

• Introduce practical tools and methods for interfaith education.

• Raise awareness about the importance of interfaith dialogue in building peaceful societies.

• Support the development of new youth projects under the Erasmus+ framework with a focus on intercultural and interreligious cooperation.

Participants

The course brought together youth workers, leaders, and volunteers who:

• Work or plan to work with multicultural and multireligious groups.

• Have experience in youth work or intercultural learning.

• Wanted to gain practical and theoretical knowledge on interfaith dialogue.

• Were motivated to continue promoting tolerance and cooperation in their local communities.

Participants came from 10 countries including Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, Italy, Malta, Lithuania, Romania, and Poland, creating a diverse space for learning and exchange.

Venue

The training took place in Topola, a historic town in the Šumadija region of Serbia. Participants stayed at Hotel Oplenac, surrounded by cultural heritage and nature, which provided the ideal atmosphere for intercultural exchange, reflection, and teamwork.

Support and Funding

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and the German National Agency. The budget covered travel, accommodation, meals, and training activities, ensuring equal access for all selected participants.

Impact

Interfaith Dialogue and Youth Work empowered youth workers to address religion with confidence, sensitivity, and inclusiveness. By combining theoretical learning with practical tools, the project strengthened participants’ capacity to build interreligious dialogue and understanding among young people, contributing to greater tolerance and social cohesion both locally and internationally.