The University of Barcelona will host the international conference “Youth and Memory Engagement” on April 9–10, 2025, bringing together 20 youth delegations from 19 countries across Europe and beyond to engage in the vital work of democratic memory. This gathering will serve as a dynamic platform for young people to share experiences, exchange best practices, and develop collaborative strategies to strengthen transnational remembrance initiatives.
Through panel discussions, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities, participants will examine the crucial role of youth in shaping memory policies and fostering a shared culture of remembrance across Europe. The event aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collective action, empowering young people to actively preserve and interpret history.
Delegations from countries such as Portugal, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Bosnia, and many others will showcase innovative projects and initiatives, presenting a diverse range of approaches to memory engagement. These presentations will highlight how young people contribute to preserving democratic values and promoting historical awareness.
Co-organized by the European Observatory on Memories of the University of Barcelona’s Solidarity Foundation and the Youth Institute of the Spanish Government within the framework of the commemorative programme “Spain in Freedom.50 years” with the collaboration of of Euroclio, the Navarre Institute of Memory and the City Council of Barcelona.
More pictures available on Flickr
Agenda
Click Here to Download the PDF Version
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
09:00 | Reception & Registration
09:30 | Opening Remarks: Welcome words by Jordi Guixé, Director of EUROM. Institutional remarks by Raquel Gil, Councilor of Feminisms and Democratic Memory of the City Council of Barcelona; Carmina Gustrán Loscos, Commissioner of “Spain in Freedom. 50 Years”; Rubén Pérez Correa, Secretary of State for Youth and Childhood; Fernando Martínez López, Secretary of State for Democratic Memory; Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the University of Barcelona
10:00 | Keynote Lecture
“Memory Matters: Activism, Communities, Politics” by Marije Hristova
11:00 | Coffee Break
11:30 | Icebreaker Activity
12:00 | Youth Delegations’ Presentations – Panel 1
- Spanish Government: Promotion of Democratic Memory (Spain)
- Ruta al Exilio (Spain)
- Navarre Institute of Memory (Navarre, Spain)
- Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (Portugal)
13:30 | Lunch Break
14:30 | Youth Delegations’ Presentations – Panel 2
- Museum of Free Derry (Ireland)
- Hrant Dink Foundation (Turkey)
- University of Bucharest – Faculty of Political Sciences (Romania)
- Zámeček Memorial (Czech Republic)
- Directorate General for International Organisations and Human Rights (Slovak Republic)
- Historians without Borders (Finland)
- European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (Poland)
- National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War (Ukraine)
17:00 | Coffee Break
17:30 | Youth Delegations’ Presentations – Panel 3
- Liberation Route Europe (Belgium, Netherlands & Poland)
- Anne Frank Youth Network (Czech Republic, Spain & Hungary)
- Mémorial de la Shoah (France)
- International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (Germany)
- IRIBA Center for Multimedia Heritage (Rwanda)
- History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
- Genocide Victims’ Museum (Serbia)
- Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Croatia)
20:00 | Cocktail Dinner
Thursday, April 10, 2025
09:00 | Reflections & Discussion on the Panel Presentations
10:30 | Coffee Break
11:00 | On-Site Memory Activity
13:15 | Lunch Break
14:00 | Youth Engagement Workshops (Strategy Building)
16:30 | Coffee Break
17:00 | Youth Engagement Workshops (Tactics Thinking)
18:30 | Closing Remarks
19:00 | Cocktail Dinner
Related press
Survey
This activity is co-financed by the European Commission and for its evaluation we kindly ask your collaboration in filling out this survey. It will take about 10 minutes, and you will need the information indicated below. Thank you very much!
- Reference of the Project: 101194553
- Type of activity: Awareness-raising
- Title: Youth and Memory Engagement
- Duration of the event in days: 2
- In Person
- University of Barcelona