Summer retreat for young people - a seven day educational programme on sustainable travel practices

Twelve young people age 18 to 25 from Belgium and Croatia (six from each country) spent seven days together on a summer retreat in Šibenik, in August 2022, for a series of workshops. Through methods of debate, critical thinking, drama and creative writing, the young people explored the impact of tourism on the local environment. 

 

Simultaneously, participants were mentored:

- to build personal skills enabling them to overcome their potential ‘environmental anxiety’

- to change (negative) behaviours, and

- to learn how to initiate and manage a discussion on socially engaging and controversial topics.

 

They worked in groups to gather information, conduct in-person interviews, debate, write, act and create art, all with the support of their trainers/mentors.

 

The final outputs of the milestone were produced by the participants themselves who

chose a format of self-expression (debate, monologue, short sketch, graphic expression, presentation). 

 

During the retreat, the young people built rapport among themselves, shared ideas, raised questions and brainstormed on the content of a Sustainable Travel Video Guide for Young Travelers, which they produced in the months following the retreat, collaborating beteween countries.