Youth Exchange "Keep It Green! Vol 2." in Poronin

​The international youth exchange “Keep It Green! Vol. 2” took place in Poronin, Poland from the 12th to the 20th of March. During the week the participants exchanged ideas on ecology using different methods like group Powerpoint presentations, drawing and presenting posters, but also casually talking during free time, ice-breaking activities or shared meals. They presented the problems and solutions of their countries, giving each other a new perspective on their situations and the steps we should take to help nature back home.
The participants were very active and the organizing was very skillful. Everybody respected the set times for group activities and fulfilled the tasks they were given. Besides being very eye opening from the ecological aspects of different countries, the exchange helped create a free and joyful dialogue between different cultures, to understand each other better and dispel negative stereotypes. In the end everybody had no doubt that youth around the world is the same in their core principles – we all want to learn, have fun, make new friends, see the world and help protect nature.
The youth exchange wasn’t all work and no play – the program was diverse and gave the participants enough interesting and fun activities as well. For instance we got to visit the bigger village of Zakopane, meet locals, hike in the Tatra mountains to Morskie Oko and go swimming. The cultural evenings were also a big hit, as everybody enjoyed learning about the places their new friends came from. A big part of the cultural nights was introducing local food, drinks, language, songs and dances, which united the participants more than anything else. On our free time there were different games to play, beautiful places to take a walk in or just cosy rooms to rest in. The food was also magnificent and every small complaint was resolved immediately.
In the end we can say that the project was a great success and the participants were very pleased with everything.