We are the changemakers in our Democracies – Discover, Defend, Drive Democracy in Torre Pelice
by Kai Langer
Discover, Defend and Drive Democracy – How can young people and faith-based organisations react to a rise in political extremism? How can dialogue be sustained, when societies polarize and common values drift apart? What is the role of civil society in politics and are young people being heard by politicians? How can we strengthen ourselves and share narratives of hope and understanding, when democracies are under attack? How can we Discover, Defend and Drive Democracy on a local, national and European level?
These and many more questions stood in the center of the Youth in 4D – Subregional Event Italy by the World Student Christian Federation in Europe Capacity Building from 01. to 04. May 2026 in Torre Pelice, Italy. This spring me and 16 other engaged youth from Western, Central and Southern Europe were granted the opportunity to gather at the feet of the alps in Torre Pelice to learn about democratic dialogue, engage in discussions with local, regional and European politicians and build networks across borders, denominations and cultures.
During the capacity building we learned about basic notions of democratic activism in our local contexts, how to engage in structural dialogue, how disinformation can be countered with critical thinking, how hate speech can be recognized and countered with alternative narratives and how we can engage in faith-based responses to far-right extremism. During the weekend we were granted the possibility to directly incorporate our new skills in a Policy Dialogue with Politicians from local, regional and European contexts organized by WSCF Europe and the municipality of Torre Pelice.
The weekend equipped me with so much more than just new important knowledge. I am taking home new hope from dialogue with young politicians, that change is possible and that young people can be the changemakers in our societies. I will ponder on new perspectives from different contexts all over Europe, with shared issues, innovative responses and unique opportunities. I hope to meet again with new friends and new networks from all over Europe. The capacity building was much more than a learning and dialogue opportunity for us alone. Coming home from this international event, we can act as multipliers in our own local communities, we can equip other young people with skills to open space for dialogue, to engage in democratic activism and to spread hope in our contexts.
We must not accept hate speech and disinformation taking over public spaces, but we have to counter with narratives of hope, narratives of connection and narratives of a bright future. I believe that one of the most harmful things possible, is to not discuss issues and cut off dialogue due to differences we face. Coming together in reconciliation, finding compromise for conflicting opinions, meeting each other with trust and openness for change, these are the steps forward to connected societies in polarizing times. We as faith-based actors hold the trust and networks to open spaces for dialogue, for discovery of common values and for driving our democracies. We are called to discover, defend and drive our democracy.
This unique opportunity would not have been possible without the support of the Council of Europe, Erasmus+, the municipality of Torre Pelice and especially without the incredible work of WSCF Europe. Thank you so much to each and every member of the training staff, to all participants sharing their unique perspectives and skills, to all politicians stepping in dialogue and sharing hope. Meaningful change does not only come from politicians and powerful organisations. We as young people are called to bring reconciliation, we are called to engage in democratic activism to spread hope, we are called to be the changemakers in our communities.
About the author:
Kai Langer is a Physics Master student in Germany and member of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Bavaria. He is engaged in the protestant youth on a regional and national level in Germany as well as in the Lutheran World Federation as an activist for civil engagement, democracy, diversity and social justice.
