In June 2023, youth workers from different European countries came together in Cefalù, Sicily, for the Erasmus+ project “Path Toward Reconciliation.” This international training course focused on developing the skills and tools needed to support young people in dealing with conflict, building mutual understanding, and creating a culture of peace. Through a mix of interactive workshops, real-life simulations, group reflections, and cross-cultural exchanges, the project explored many aspects of reconciliation. These included truth-telling, forgiveness, emotional healing, and intercultural dialogue. For the participant from Creative Youth Academy Hungary, the experience offered not only professional growth but also deep personal transformation. It showed how peacebuilding could become a part of everyday youth work and how simple actions could begin big changes in communities.
In May 2023, Hungary was facing a number of social issues that were directly affecting young people. There were growing tensions between different ethnic and cultural groups, especially in towns where Hungarian and Roma populations lived side by side but had limited interaction. In some schools, bullying and discrimination were increasing. Online platforms were often used to spread hate speech and misinformation. Many young people felt disconnected from society and did not know how to express their frustration. In smaller towns and rural areas, there were fewer opportunities for dialogue or inclusion. Youth workers noticed that young people did not have spaces where they could safely talk about their problems, differences, or emotions. In many cases, the culture of silence was stronger than the culture of communication. The result was growing fear, anger, and loneliness among youth.
The training course in Cefalù opened a new perspective for the Hungarian participant. It showed that reconciliation is not just about political peace after war. It is also about the small but important work of building trust and healing relationships in communities. One session focused on storytelling as a tool for truth-telling. In a circle, participants shared stories of conflict, identity, and forgiveness. These stories came from different countries and personal backgrounds, but they all had something in common: the desire to be understood. Another powerful part of the training was learning about restorative justice. It gave a practical structure for how to repair harm and rebuild connections after conflict. The training also offered tools like active listening, nonviolent communication, and cultural mapping. Meeting other youth workers and hearing how they handled difficult situations in their countries gave the Hungarian participant both courage and new ideas. One of the most memorable experiences was a group activity that used theatre to express emotions. It helped everyone understand how deep some feelings can be and how important it is to create safe emotional spaces.
After returning to Hungary, the team at Creative Youth Academy Hungary decided to build something inspired by what they had experienced in Sicily. They created a project called “Open Circle.” It was designed to offer reconciliation and dialogue spaces in secondary schools and youth centers. The project was built around the simple but powerful idea of sitting in a circle and talking openly about topics that matter. The circles included young people from different ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. Each session was guided by a trained facilitator and included elements of storytelling, sharing emotions, and small group tasks to build trust. The topics ranged from identity, discrimination, and family issues to hopes, fears, and personal dreams. A set of basic ground rules helped everyone feel safe and respected.
The project started in one school but quickly grew. More teachers and principals became interested. Young people who joined the first circles began to talk about their experience with friends. Some even said they felt lighter and less angry after just one session. The participants began to understand more about each other and about themselves. The circle helped Roma and Hungarian youth find common ground and work together on school activities. The facilitators also noticed that students who had been silent in the past were now more active in class and more confident in expressing themselves. Parents gave positive feedback as well, saying that their children were more open and calm at home. The project also helped teachers learn how to handle conflict with more care and understanding. In one school, the “Open Circle” was added to the school’s yearly activity plan, and the staff received training to continue the sessions. Local media wrote about the project, and other schools in the region asked for similar programs.
The experience in Sicily helped the Hungarian team believe in the power of youth to change their communities. It also proved that peace work does not need big budgets or complicated tools. It needs time, attention, and honest conversation. The Erasmus+ training gave the participants confidence that their work matters. It connected them with other youth workers who also believe in healing and understanding. These international friendships continued after the project, with partners sharing ideas and support.
Now, Creative Youth Academy Hungary is working on developing a training manual based on the “Open Circle” method. They want to offer it to youth centers, schools, and NGOs across the country. The manual will include activities, guidelines, and real stories from the project. They are also planning to involve more young people as peer facilitators. By doing so, the project will grow from being run by youth workers to being led by youth themselves. They believe that this is the next step—making reconciliation a youth-led movement.
Looking into the future, the team sees a bigger goal. They want to help create a society where young people feel connected, respected, and able to solve problems through dialogue, not violence. They want to make peace work a natural part of youth programs, not something extra. They believe that every school, every youth group, and every small town in Hungary can benefit from tools of reconciliation. And they believe that young people, when trusted and supported, can lead this work with great success.
The training in Cefalù was not just a one-time event. It was the beginning of a process. It showed that change is possible, even in difficult environments. It gave the Hungarian youth worker new knowledge, new energy, and a strong network. Most of all, it reminded them that peace begins inside each person and grows when people choose to meet each other with honesty and care.
The journey from silence to dialogue is not easy. But thanks to projects like “Path Toward Reconciliation,” more young people are taking the first steps—together.