3752 - BETTER TOGETHER: EMPOWERING YOUTH FOR INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES

Session: 3747 - SHAPING PSYCHOLOGY TOGETHER: EFPSA'S STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES FOR SOCIETY AND THE FUTURE OF THE DISCIPLINE
AUTHORS:
Pehlivan Fatmatüz Zehra (Karabük University ~ Karabük ~ Turkey)
Abstract text:
Better Together is one of the core campaigns of EFPSA's Social Impact Initiative (SII), promoting social inclusion and combating discrimination among young people across Europe. Since its launch in 2016, the project has aimed to raise awareness of discrimination - including gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, bullying, and human rights - and to empower youth to become active agents of inclusive and peaceful societies. At the heart of Better Together is a cycle of interactive, non-formal education workshops led by EFPSA volunteers. Since its first implementation in 2017, Better Together has expanded across Europe. The second wave, in 2018, reached 8 countries, involving 125 volunteers and 133 participants with support from the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. More recently, the 7th and 8th waves engaged up to 21 local coordinators and over 170 participants across multiple European cities. This campaign focuses on educating secondary-school students about intergroup relations, stereotyping, and discrimination, while encouraging them to take an active role in building a more inclusive society.