From June 29th to 30th, the city of Thessaloniki, Greece, hosted a significant Transnational Partners Meeting (TPM) for the KA2 Erasmus+ project “Theatre Makes Politics.” This gathering was a crucial step forward for the consortium, which includes esteemed organizations like Bundesverband Theaterpädagogik e.V. (Germany), Center for Intercultural Dialogue (North Macedonia), Ex-Quorum – Associação de Divulgação de Eventos Culturais (Portugal), La Transplanisphere (France), Panellinio Diktio Gia To Theatro Stin Ekpedefsi (Greece), and STADT DORTMUND (Germany).
The central focus of this meeting was the development of our project handbook, a key deliverable that aims to equip youth workers with creative tools to challenge anti-democratic forces. The handbook is divided into four critical topics:
- Islamic Fundamentalism
- Christian Fundamentalism
- Far-right Extremism and Populism: Racism and Antirefugees’ Rhetoric
- Far-right Extremism and Populism: Conspiracy Theories
Each organization presented their progress, shared their insights, and outlined the remaining tasks. Discussions were rich with questions about the handbook’s structure, content, and division of responsibilities. We collaboratively sought help and provided feedback to ensure the handbook would be a comprehensive resource for combating extremism and fostering critical thinking.
One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the agreement on a concrete timeline for the handbook’s publication. This clear schedule will guide our efforts and keep the project on track.
A highlight of the TPM was witnessing a live theatre performance by local youngsters, addressing the pressing issue of bullying in schools. This performance was a poignant reminder of the power of theatre to convey important social messages and engage audiences emotionally and intellectually.
Representing the Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) were myself, Besart Shabani, and Aleksandra Mihajlovska Velichkovski. Aleksandra, an expert in our field, has been instrumental in developing the handbook alongside me. Our shared experiences and expertise were vital contributions to the discussions and planning during the meeting.
As we move forward, the insights and decisions from this TPM will significantly shape our work at CID and within the broader consortium. Our next steps include finalizing the handbook content, continuing to support our partner organizations, and preparing for the upcoming multiplier events and major promotional event in Germany.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Theatre Makes Politics project as we work together to empower youth workers and promote democratic values across Europe.