UP! Get Up, Stand Up! 4 the HRs!

The training course UP! Get up, stand up! 4 the Human Rights brought together youth workers from across Europe for an immersive learning experience focused on human rights, participation, and democracy. The project was built on the belief that young people can shape fairer and more inclusive societies when they feel informed, confident, and connected, and that youth workers play a crucial role in guiding this process.

From the very first days, the group focused on building connection and trust. Through ice-breaking and team-building activities, participants gradually transformed from strangers into a supportive community. Within this safe space, the values at the core of human rights — respect, freedom, and equality — were not only discussed, but actively lived. Participants even created their own group “constitution,” discovering that human rights are not only something to be taught, but something to be experienced in everyday interactions and shared responsibility.

As the training progressed, learning took place through action and reflection. Participants explored human rights topics using methods such as Forum Theatre, which allowed them to share, analyze, and reflect on real experiences of human rights violations. They did not remain passive learners: they set their own learning goals and, using the materials and tools provided, took the lead in designing and facilitating sessions for one another. Step by step, their ideas were transformed into practical workshops, strengthening their confidence to address these topics in their local communities.

The course placed strong emphasis on critical thinking and dialogue rather than simple answers. Participants examined how human rights apply in daily life, both offline and in digital spaces, and discussed the connection between human rights, digital rights, and democratic participation. This approach helped them better understand how online environments influence expression, inclusion, and active citizenship in modern democracies.

A key dimension of the project was bringing learning beyond the training environment and into the local community. Participants had the opportunity to design and facilitate workshops for young people, applying non-formal education methods to introduce students to human rights, active citizenship, and democratic participation. This experience allowed youth workers to step into the role of facilitators in real settings, while students gained a clearer understanding of human rights and the opportunities offered through Erasmus+ programmes. The exchange proved mutually enriching, highlighting the power of sharing knowledge and inspiring others through practical engagement.

The project took place in a natural, outdoor setting that supported both learning and reflection. Surrounded by nature, participants experienced a training environment that encouraged responsibility, awareness, and connection. Sustainability was integrated into the project’s daily life through conscious use of resources, local sourcing, and waste reduction, reinforcing the values of shared responsibility that were central to the course.

As the training came to an end, participants looked back on days filled with collaboration, learning, and meaningful engagement. From building a community and exploring human rights in depth, to developing and facilitating workshops in the local context, each step strengthened both their understanding and their impact as youth workers.

UP! Get up, stand up! 4 the Human Rights was not only a training course, but the beginning of an ongoing process. Participants returned home with new tools, methods, and motivation to integrate Human Rights Education into their daily work. By fostering dialogue, critical reflection, and active participation, the project reinforced the idea that democracy is not only something we inherit, but something we build together — by standing up, speaking out, and taking responsibility in our communities.

Project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and approved by the Romanian National Agency