Youth Dialogues
19/20 December 2024

The German Institute Amsterdam organizes a programme for 12 German and Dutch young people from age 17 to 23 years who would like to exchange views on citizenship, media literacy and international relations. 

Democracy in Germany and the Netherlands
The rise of the PVV in the Netherlands and the AfD in Germany has brought themes such as democracy and the rule of law into extra focus. Growing nationalism not only has an impact within countries, but it can also affect relations between countries. The Netherlands and Germany have been important political partners for decades. How do recent political landslides affect German-Dutch relations?   

Media literacy
Changes in the new political landscape have also cast the role of the traditional guardians of democracy in a new light. With the growth of the populist right, both in the Netherlands and Germany, a growing distrust of the institutions of the rule of law is visible. News media are no longer seen only as reliable sources of information. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly easy to produce and spread disinformation. How do we distinguish facts from fake news? And how do we arm ourselves against disinformation? What can the Netherlands and Germany learn from each other in terms of media literacy?  

Work with us!
On Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December, the Duitsland Instituut Amsterdam (DIA) is organising a collaborative project in The Hague in which Dutch and German young people are encouraged to discuss the above issues with each other. During these working sessions, we will work towards developing a strategy, a recommendation for relevant stakeholders. During the two-day trip in The Hague, we will visit several institutions, such as the Clingendael Institute with an introduction by René Cuperus and the German embassy. With this input you will work together on the urgent issues mentioned above. The exact program follows quickly, so keep an eye on this website. 

This program is fully funded (including hotel, breakfast, dinner and travel expenses from The Netherlands or Germany).

Are you interested in politics and would you like to be part of this group that is working on issues of citizenship and democracy and presenting it to stakeholders? Would you like to enter into dialogue with young people from the Netherlands and Germany? Then sign up for our Youth Dialogues project!  

Criteria and deadline: 
Write a short cover letter (250 - 350 words) in our form on why you would like to join the project. Please note that there are only 12 spots are available. The deadline for applications is on 20 November. You will hear from us in the week of 25 November whether you can participate.  

In summary:
Date and time: from Thursday 19 December (12am) to Friday 20 December (5pm)
Accomodation: Triple Rooms, ibis Den Haag City Centre, Jan Hendrikstraat 10, 2512 GL Den Haag  
Target Group: young people and students aged 17 to 23 from Germany and the Netherlands interested in politics, citizenship, democracy, media and international relations 
For more information: Elian de Jong -  e.c.dejong2@uva.nl
Application deadline: 20 November by filling in this form. 

This programme is funded by the Auswärtiges Amt.