Did you know that in 2015 the UN adopted 17 goals aimed at creating a better world by 2030? These goals include eliminating poverty, ending hunger, promoting peace and justice, and supporting economic growth.
From September 5 to 12, we organized a youth exchange focused on understanding and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Young people from five European countries filled the Sós Kút Student Hostel in Székelykeresztúr with life and energy, all driven by a desire to learn more about sustainability and the 17 SDGs.
During the exchange, each country’s team had to present one selected goal and propose solutions for achieving it. By the end of the week, we created an action plan outlining these five goals and providing suggestions for how to accomplish them by 2030.
The first day was filled with excitement and new friendships, centered around our shared interests in sustainability and development. The day began with icebreakers, followed by an introduction to the world of Youthpass and Erasmus+. In the afternoon, the participants took a guided tour of Székelykeresztúr, exploring its historical and cultural treasures. The evening concluded with an intercultural snack tasting, where each participant presented a snack from their home country.
The second day was a more reflective one. Participants delved into the SDGs and their importance. We reviewed the outcomes of a previous youth exchange that covered a similar topic and realized that this event, too, could successfully conclude with a comprehensive action plan. The teams then created posters showing what the world could look like in 2030 if these goals are achieved. After lunch, we held a World Café where we discussed various aspects of sustainability, and the day ended with a Romanian cultural evening.
The third day began with a presentation by the Portuguese team, focused on ending hunger. Afterwards, we visited local restaurants to learn how they tackle food waste. We had lunch at one of these restaurants, where the owner shared insights into how they handle leftovers. In the afternoon, we made sandwiches from the leftover food ourselves. The day wrapped up with intense, productive work on the action plan.
Day four kicked off with a presentation by the Spanish team on the topic of “Decent Work and Economic Growth.” Afterwards, we visited the medieval city of Sighișoara to explore its history and architectural heritage, followed by a trip to Galambfalva, where we learned about sustainable agriculture and the concept of aquaponics. The day ended with Spanish and Lithuanian cultural evenings filled with dancing and local foods.
The fifth day was dedicated to the theme of poverty eradication, which was presented by the local team. Afterwards, the mayor of Székelykeresztúr told us about how they help people in need in the area and how they try to prevent people from falling into this fate. After the presentation, we had an open discussion about how we could help the poor.
On the sixth day, we focused on the theme of industry, innovation, and infrastructure. After a presentation by the Lithuanian team, we visited various local businesses to hear about the challenges and opportunities in sustainability. In the afternoon, each country created a short video about one of the SDGs, which we later shared on TikTok. The evening concluded with Portuguese and Greek cultural presentations, filled with good vibes and delicious food.
The seventh day centered around the theme of peace, justice, and strong institutions. We started the day with a Greek team presentation, and later, Endre Dávid joined us to share his personal experiences delivering donations to Ukraine. The afternoon was spent finalizing the action plan, with much hard work and dedication. We closed the evening with team-building games and karaoke, strengthening the bonds between the participants.
The final day was filled with mixed emotions but also excitement for the closing activities. We started with the Coffee Chain Game, a business simulation that gave the participants insights into the challenges of running a business through the lens of coffee sales. After that, we presented the action plan to local schools at our youth center, with students, teachers, and volunteers in attendance. Following the presentation, a meaningful dialogue took place between local and international participants. The feedback received will help further improve the action plan.
Afterward, we completed the Youthpass certificates and reflected on the week’s experiences. The afternoon concluded with a festive Youthpass ceremony and an “Oscar Gala,” where we handed out awards in various categories. The evening had a bittersweet tone, as new friendships had been formed, but we would now have to maintain them from a distance.
We are confident that the young people who returned home from this youth exchange will pay much more attention to both the people around them and the environment. As a result, they will become active and responsible members of our society.