As diverse as we Youth Ambassadors are, so wide-ranging are our interests. Under the motto “Less talk, more action!”, we organize workshops, musicals, and a wide variety of activities. At the heart of everything we do are children’s rights and the SDGs – the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Thanks to the SDG Youth Exchange Program carried out by us Youth Ambassadors in 2023, and Caritas International Aid’s long-standing support of projects in Armenia, connecting with Armenian youth was a natural next step. The trip was made possible through our own fundraising efforts, complemented by contributions from sponsors.

Cooperation on equal footing

Working together on equal footing showed us how much we can benefit from one another. We gained new perspectives on the SDGs and experienced firsthand how inclusion and sustainability are put into practice locally. All activities were designed to be inclusive for young people with and without disabilities, ensuring that everyone could participate. It was important to us not only to share knowledge, but also to learn ourselves and draw inspiration. The input and commitment of the Armenian youth made many of our ideas possible in the first place.

Together, we developed a diverse program in advance. The young participants were divided into age groups, and alongside awareness-raising activities on the SDGs, we offered workshops on topics such as water and fast fashion. Practical, hands-on work was also a key component, resulting in projects such as insect hotels, seed balls for planting, upcycled products, and much more. Joint excursions further deepened our exchange and connection.

Sustainable connections

Our “headquarters” was “Emili Aregak Center”, a support center for children and young people with disabilities that was established ten years ago with support from Vorarlberg. In 2018, an inclusive bakery was also opened there. We were deeply impressed by the amount of heart, passion, and genuine participation that characterize the work being done. The bakery is a powerful example of how inclusion can function right in the middle of the city.

Of course, we were able to share a great deal about children’s rights and the SDGs, but we ourselves learned even more: we formed new friendships, engaged in moving conversations, gained valuable insights into life in Armenia, and returned home with renewed motivation to further promote and strengthen inclusion in our own region of Vorarlberg.

Young voices, global networks

Our stay was shaped by mutual learning and a shared desire to maintain the connections we built over the long term. In the future, Youth Ambassadors are also to be established in Armenia in order to continue and deepen the cooperation. It became clear how young people, through initiative and commitment, can create sustainable impact across borders – for children’s rights, the SDGs, and a shared future.