In February 2025, youth workers from different parts of Europe came together in Milan, Italy, to participate in the Erasmus+ training course “Equipping Youth Workers for Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Peacebuilding.” This international project was created to help youth workers learn how to address conflicts in a constructive and peaceful way. The main focus of the course was to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to use dialogue, empathy, and understanding as tools for building more inclusive and resilient communities. The program was not just about learning theories but about practicing how to handle real-life situations with care and responsibility.
Before attending the project, youth workers in Denmark were facing several challenges. The local communities had become more diverse in recent years, with many young people coming from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. This created a rich environment but also led to misunderstandings and tensions among youth. In some schools and youth clubs, conflicts would escalate quickly due to a lack of communication and respect for differences. The team from Pangaea Youth Network noticed that there was a gap in how young people were being taught to manage their emotions and resolve disagreements peacefully. While there were programs focused on inclusion and education, conflict resolution was often missing from the conversation. Youth workers felt they needed more tools and training to respond to these growing challenges.
The training in Milan offered a completely new perspective. One of the first lessons that participants explored was the idea that conflict is not always negative. Conflict can be an opportunity for growth and understanding if managed correctly. Through different workshops and activities, participants learned how to identify the causes of conflict, recognize emotional responses, and use active listening to reduce tension. It was especially powerful to learn how to mediate between two people or groups with different views and help them reach a peaceful agreement. The methods were not complicated, but they required patience, empathy, and a belief that every voice matters.
One of the most impressive parts of the training was a session led by a local organization in Milan that worked with schools in neighborhoods with a high level of social tension. They had created peace clubs where students could meet and talk about their problems in a safe and respectful environment. These clubs became a place where young people could express their thoughts, listen to others, and learn how to handle disagreements without violence. The way this local initiative used storytelling, role-play, and group reflection showed participants how creative and human-centered peacebuilding can be. The exchange of ideas among participants from different countries added even more value. Each person brought their own experience and examples of what worked or didn’t work in their community. It created a shared space for learning and growing together.
After returning to Denmark, the youth worker from Pangaea Youth Network felt motivated to take action immediately. Inspired by the peace clubs in Milan, the team decided to start a new project called “Dialogue Circles.” These were weekly meetings organized in youth centers where young people could talk about topics that were important to them, including identity, relationships, social justice, and personal struggles. Each session began with a short activity to build trust and openness, followed by a guided discussion using tools learned in Milan. The youth workers acted as facilitators, helping the group stay respectful and focused.
The Dialogue Circles quickly became popular among the youth. Many said it was the first time they felt really listened to. They began to understand how their words and actions affected others. Some participants who had previously been in conflict discovered common ground and started to cooperate on small community projects. The program also created space for young people to speak about personal difficulties in a non-judgmental environment, which helped them build confidence and emotional resilience. Teachers and parents noticed a change too. They saw young people becoming more calm, respectful, and able to manage frustration. Schools in the area started to invite Pangaea Youth Network to deliver workshops on peace education and communication. The positive impact of the Dialogue Circles went beyond individuals. It started to create a new culture in the community—one where listening, empathy, and peaceful solutions were becoming part of everyday life.
As the project developed, the youth workers created a simple toolkit with exercises and conversation guides that could be used by other youth centers and schools. This toolkit was shared at a regional youth conference, where it received positive feedback and inspired others to try similar initiatives. The youth worker who attended the Erasmus+ training also shared their experience with other NGOs in Denmark, helping to build a stronger network of peace-oriented youth work. This new focus on peacebuilding also brought more visibility to Pangaea Youth Network, opening doors for future projects and partnerships.
Looking back, the Erasmus+ training in Milan was not just a week of learning—it was the beginning of a journey. It showed that peace is not only about avoiding conflict, but about learning how to deal with it in a healthy and respectful way. It reminded youth workers that every young person has the power to be a bridge between people, to be a voice for understanding, and to make a difference in their community. The Dialogue Circles proved that when young people are trusted, supported, and given the space to grow, they can become true leaders of peace.
In the long term, the vision is to continue developing peace education as a central part of youth work in Denmark. By working closely with schools, families, and other organizations, Pangaea Youth Network hopes to build a society where dialogue is stronger than hate, where listening is more common than shouting, and where differences are not feared but embraced. This project was a clear example of how international learning can lead to real local change. It showed that the work of youth workers, when supported by the right training and community, can light the way toward a more peaceful future for all.