{"id":21334,"date":"2026-04-06T15:46:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youthdemocracycohort.com\/?page_id=21334"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:48:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:48:59","slug":"demowave-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/youthdemocracycohort.com\/demowave-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udf0a DemoWave The Youth (Un)Conference | 8 June"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"demowave<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is not a traditional conference. It is a space to connect, experiment and co-create.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"It<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Across the world, young people are organising, mobilising and speaking up, often outside traditional political spaces that feel distant or closed to them. At the same time, evidence from the Global Youth Participation Index (GYPI<\/a><\/strong>) shows that barriers to representation and meaningful participation remain widespread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#DemoWave, the Youth (un)Conference<\/strong>, brings together the people working to change that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one day in Brussels, young activists, researchers, policymakers, artists and civil society organisations will gather to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore how youth participation and digital activism<\/a> can shape the future of democracy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Line<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Register\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Venue\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

𖦹 Line Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This is an unconference<\/strong> — which means the day will be shaped by you. The flow may shift as ideas and conversations emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9:00
<\/strong>Arrival & warm-up
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Start the day with coffee, conversations and first connections. Take time to explore the space, meet other participants and ease into the wave.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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10:00 – 11:45
<\/strong>Setting the tone<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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We kick things off with a short opening moment to set the scene followed by an interactive session exploring how civic movements connect (or don’t) with formal politics. Expect dialogue, not speeches. It’ll be followed by a short, dynamic knowledge-sharing moments designed to spark ideas, challenge perspectives and introduce new voices.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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11:45 – 13:15
<\/strong>Fair & community lunch<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A space to meet, exchange and discover. DemoWave Fair, where organisations and initiatives share their work through interactive and creative formats.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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13:30 – 15:00
<\/strong>Participant-led sessions<\/em>
Unconference<\/strong> 𖦹<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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This is where the wave takes shape. <\/strong>Participants will co-create and lead sessions based on shared interests, questions and challenges. Topics may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

𖦹 Representation, power and participation
𖦹 What happens after protest movements?
𖦹 Youth in conflict and transnational solidarity
𖦹 Digital rights and democracy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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15:00 – 15:15
<\/strong>Pause & connect<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Coffee<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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15:15 – 17:00
Unconference 𖦹<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Unconference<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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17:00 – 17:30
<\/strong>Closing<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Followed<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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𖦹 Make it Happen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Interested in participating or collaborating? The YDC welcomes organisations, networks and initiatives working on youth participation, democracy, civic engagement and social movements. Different forms of collaboration are possible, from joining the partnership fair to co-creating sessions or contributing to the thematic discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Registration<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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𖦹 Getting There<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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📍Sparks Meeting<\/strong><\/strong>
Rue Ravenstein 60, 1000 Bruxelles<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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