Victoria’s Journey Toward Political Empowerment in Ghent

Victoria, a student of social work from Villach, Austria, found herself deeply inspired by the international youth exchange in Ghent. Passionate about human rights and social justice, she viewed this experience as an opportunity to connect with like-minded young people and explore new ways of making a difference.

Victoria was particularly fascinated by Belgium’s political system, something she knew little about before the exchange. “The conversations here motivate me to go home and pick up the political thread there,” she reflected. Having participated in demonstrations and served on her local youth council, Victoria was no stranger to activism. However, her time in Ghent broadened her horizons, sparking an interest in potentially joining a political party back home.

The highlight of her week was the exposure to Ghent’s approach to youth work, especially its efforts to empower young people with fewer opportunities. “The youth organisations here look for the people who are normally not so quick to participate in social or cultural activities and base the activities on their needs,” she said, deeply impressed by Ghent's inclusive approach.

Victoria left Ghent feeling more motivated than ever to take on a bigger role in her community, carrying the lessons learned back to Villach and hoping to inspire others to get involved in political and social change. 

Updated on pondelok, 16/09/2024