From 12 to 18 March, over 30 young people from across Europe and North America gathered in Paris for the final gathering of the Youth in 4D project — Discover, Defend and Drive Democracy. Here, participant Davide Stallè reflects on the week.

The Youth in 4D project

By Davide Stallè (FGEI – SCM Italy)

From 12 to 18 March, Paris became the meeting point for a diverse group of young people who came together to take part in the second part of the Youth in 4D – Discover, Defend and Drive Democracy project. After the first phase, which was made up of three subregional events in Torre Pellice, Italy; Oslo, Norway; and Prague, Czech Republic, we gathered once again to continue a journey of reflection, dialogue and action around one of the most important questions of our time: how can we, as young Christians, contribute to building and strengthening democracy?

The week in Paris was intense from beginning to end. Each day was filled with sessions, discussions, group work and moments of sharing in which we explored the challenges facing democracy in our different contexts. Rather than simply talking about democracy as an abstract political concept, we were invited to look at the realities around us and to ask ourselves what democracy means in our everyday lives, in our communities and in our churches.

What made the experience particularly enriching was the incredible diversity of the group. Participants came from Italy, Norway, the United States, Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Kosovo, Germany, Sweden and Finland. We came from different cultures, political and social contexts, and Christian traditions. Naturally, this meant that we did not always look at democracy, society or Christianity in the same way. And that was precisely the beauty of the experience.

Sometimes our differences led to challenging conversations. We discovered that words such as freedom, participation, justice, equality and even democracy can carry very different meanings depending on where we come from and the experiences that have shaped us. We also discussed the relationship between Christianity and democracy, asking difficult but necessary questions: What is the role of Christians in a democratic society? How can faith contribute to the common good without becoming a tool of exclusion? How can Christian communities become spaces where people learn to listen, participate and respect differences?

These conversations were not always easy, but they were always valuable. They reminded us that democracy is not simply about institutions, elections or political systems. Democracy is also a culture, a way of living together, listening to one another and making space for different voices. It requires patience, responsibility and the willingness to engage even when agreement seems far away.

Another important part of the week was looking at the specific challenges of our own contexts. We shared the problems that young people and our Student Christian Movements (SCMs) are facing and, instead of stopping at identifying difficulties, we tried to imagine concrete responses. Throughout the sessions, we asked ourselves what ideas, tools and experiences we could bring back to our own SCMs and how we could turn the discussions in Paris into something meaningful at home.

This made the project feel much bigger than a single week. Paris was not the destination, but another step in a longer journey. The real challenge begins when we return to our communities and try to put into practice what we have learned.

Of course, the week was not only about serious discussions. Between intense sessions, there was plenty of laughter, informal conversation and time to get to know one another. Sharing meals, walking through Paris, discovering the city and simply spending time together allowed friendships to grow naturally. These moments were just as important as the formal programme, because they reminded us that dialogue begins with relationships. It is much easier to listen to someone when you have taken the time to know them as a person.

Looking back, the Youth in 4D experience in Paris was challenging, stimulating and deeply enriching. It showed us that there is no single way of understanding democracy or Christianity, but also that our differences do not have to divide us. On the contrary, when we are willing to listen, they can become a source of learning and transformation.

Perhaps one of the most powerful lessons of the week was that democracy needs people who are willing to participate. It needs young people who dare to ask questions, challenge what is taken for granted, defend the dignity of others and imagine alternatives. As Christians, we are also called to bring our faith into this journey — not as an answer that closes the conversation, but as a source of hope, responsibility, justice and love for our neighbours.

We left Paris with many questions still open, but also with new ideas, new friendships and renewed motivation. The journey of discovering, defending and driving democracy continues not only in international meetings, but in our SCMs, our churches, our universities or schools, our communities and in the everyday choices we make.

Because democracy is not something we simply inherit. It is something we build together.