The Entreculturas Youth Solidarity Network (Red Solidaria de Jóvenes, RSJ) celebrated its 10th Global Meeting in Madrid, marking 25 years of youth participation and engagement. Since its creation in 2001, the network has involved more than 16,000 young people in processes of social participation across schools and communities.

Throughout April, various events created spaces to reflect on this journey, share experiences among young people from diverse contexts, and address the challenges of youth participation in a world shaped by social, political, and economic inequalities.

Reflecting on the Journey and Today’s Challenges

On 9 April, a commemorative event brought together young people, educators, former members of the network, and institutional representatives linked to education and international cooperation. The gathering fostered an intergenerational dialogue on the evolution of youth participation over the past 25 years.

Among the speakers were Sira Rego and Antón Leis, alongside young participants from different regions and Ramón Almansa, Executive Director of Entreculturas. Together, they reflected on key questions: how to sustain youth engagement in contexts marked by disinformation, how to promote critical thinking in education, and how to continue building community across interconnected local and global realities.

A Global Meeting for Dialogue and Collective Action

From 10 to 12 April, more than 130 young people and 65 educators from nine countries gathered for the 10th Global Meeting. Held under the theme “I Am Not Fake”, the event placed critical thinking at the centre—not only as a tool to analyse information, but as a way of engaging with today’s social, political, and environmental challenges.

This biennial meeting forms part of a wider international process, in collaboration with the Red Generación 21+, connecting youth initiatives across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Over three days, participants engaged in workshops, dialogue sessions, and collaborative activities aimed at strengthening critical analysis, networking, and joint action. They shared initiatives addressing key issues such as the right to education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and migration.

The meeting also contributed to building shared agendas among young people from different contexts, reinforcing a global network that promotes social mobilisation and advocacy—linking local realities with global perspectives. The presence of both long-standing members and new participants ensured continuity and renewal within the network.

Continuing the Journey Across Territories

Following the Global Meeting, activities continued across Spain, with international participants visiting Entreculturas delegations in regions including Andalusia, Galicia, Valencia, Catalonia, Castile and León, and Extremadura. These visits created further opportunities to share experiences, engage with local educational communities, and connect with institutions.

In this context, a commemorative event was also held in Valencia on 16 April, celebrating 20 years of the Youth Solidarity Network in the region. The event highlighted the importance of youth participation and activism as key pillars of the network’s development.

Far from marking an endpoint, these gatherings are part of an ongoing process. The Youth Solidarity Network of Entreculturas continues to create spaces where young people meet, share, and take action from their own realities—working together to address inequalities and strengthen their role as active agents of change in their communities.