Since 2016, in addition to supporting our partner organizations around the world, we have been drawing on the same principles that guide our partners’ actions to carry out activities in Luxembourg. Our aim is to empower youth by cultivating an understanding of the values and principles essential for societal progress and by accompanying them to become protagonists of positive social change.

While young people have immense potential to contribute to the betterment of the world, their capacities need to be properly channeled, or they risk being misdirected or simply untapped, as many social forces create apathy and a loss of confidence in young people’s ability to create a better future for themselves and society. Moreover, in a world in deep cultural, social, economic, political and technological transition, young people are questioning their future and the meaning of the education they receive, beyond a perspective of financial security or social status. Finally, the school environment is not always conducive to student well-being, with issues such as harassment, prejudice and competition preventing young people from developing their full potential.

In response to this situation, we strive to provide high school students with a structured, caring environment that fully encourages the expression of their potential. Our workshops take a holistic approach, integrating arts and service projects in order to foster personal development and civic engagement. Through close collaboration with schools and other local structures, these activities aim to build young people’s confidence in their potential and transform schools into spaces where they can not only acquire academic knowledge, but also flourish as agents of social change.

Our workshops have three objectives: cultivating personal well-being, improving group cohesion and making young people protagonists in societal progress. 

We currently have a catalog of eight interactive workshops on the following themes: 

1. Who am I and what is my role in the world?
2. Social Commitment
3. Education for Sustainable Development 
4. Positive Leadership
5. Empathy and Responsibility
6. Resilience and Collaboration
7. Identity and Inclusion
8. Social justice and Solidarity

Activities during the workshops include:

• Reflection on short films or written materials
• Artistic and creative activities 
• Collaborative activities and games
• Service projects.

For example, the workshop “Who am I and what is my role in the world?” begins with the screening of the award-winning short film Mercy’s Blessing, from the Inspire Courage for Change foundation. This film, which takes place in Malawi, highlights the strength of the human spirit and the power of choice. After the screening, participants discuss concepts such as altruism, privilege, equality, justice, prejudice and peer pressure, among others addressed in the film. They explore how the concepts connect with their environments and use arts such as drawing, role plays and even music to deepen and express their understanding of the concepts discussed. Finally, they plan a simple project aimed at tackling one of the issues they identified in their own environment – for example, a campaign against bullying in their school, a visit to residents of a retirement home, an activity with students recently arrived in Luxembourg or with people with disabilities, etc.  

Most of our other workshops also revolve around films, such as Bigger Than Us, or videos from the SPARKS program of the non-profit association Gemmes.

Currently, we intensify our relationship with selected secondary schools and other socio-educative institutions where a program of interventions can be planned throughout the year, and where teachers and supervisors can be progressively trained and empowered to run the workshops. Some of the high schools with which we collaborate are:

• Lycée Technique de Lallange 
• Ecole privée de Fieldgen
• Lycée Aline Mayrisch 
• Ecole Internationale de Differdange et Esch
• Ecole International de Gaston Thorn
• European School of Luxembourg
• International School of Luxembourg

To extend the impact of our workshops, we offer training for teachers, educators in the socio-educational sector and other potential facilitators. In addition to training, we offer accompaniment to those involved and organize regular reflection meetings to capitalize on and disseminate what has been learned.

In 2023, our trainings got certified by the IFEN (Institut de formation de l’éducation nationale). Therefore, teachers, who are required to follow a certain number of hours of annual training, can register via the IFEN platform and be trained in our workshops.

In 2022, as interest in getting involved with Unity Foundation’s activities grew among young people, we launched the “Youths, Actors of Change” network. Bringing together youths from several secondary schools, the network empowers them to identify challenges present in their environment and develop projects to address them. Through their efforts, they also strive to foster a culture of commitment and active engagement among young people in Luxembourg. If you are interested in joining this network, email us at info@unityfoundation.lu!