DIA-MED/Barcelone (Les Dialogues pour la Méditerranée de Barcelone)

The UfM Secretariat has partnered up with Lycée Français de Barcelone to implement an UfM stimulation program for youth, called DIA-MED/Barcelone (les Dialogues pour la Méditerranée de Barcelone).

This event takes the form of UfM model negotiation programme benefitting young students aged from 15 to 19, interested to develop capacities, enhance decision-making and shape better knowledge about the Mediterranean region. This year it has started with a group of 60 students from Barcelona from 12 nationalities. Based on this pilot phase, it will grow to benefit a wider range of Mediterranean institutions in the next years.

The UfM has delivered two introductory sessions to help introduce young pupils in the context of international and regional affairs, UfM scope of work with Member States and non-state actors (introduction to the UfM, project labeling process and approach, political and regional dialogue, examples of projects in action …).

Three other thematic sessions will be delivered by the UfM experts and other staff members to explain in a simple way the centrality of UfM priority areas and their link to youth concerns and aspirations in the region. The program will wrap up with a final stimulation that will take place in the premises of the UfM Secretariat and during which the students will present projects and act as youth forum addressing regional topics from a youth perspective.

The final stimulation session will take the form of an academic competition in which students will learn about diplomacy, values of the UfM, its charter and functioning, as well as debating and public speaking in addition to critical thinking, team working, and leadership abilities.

This initiative offers a good opportunity for young participants to authentically interact with the UfM as a regional institution while helping them to engage authentically in topics of concern to their generation.