Democracy in action: Bildung Nijmegen takes on Rome
How do we make sure everyone’s voice is heard? What happens when different interests clash? And how can we make a difference in our own communities?
From 27 September to 3 October, our adult learners from Bildung Nijmegen travelled to Rome for another Erasmus+ group mobility. During a five-day training programme organised by ALFA EDU, they explored democracy, human rights, civic participation and what it means to be an active member of society.
But this wasn’t just about discussing democratic values. Our participants had the chance to put them into practice, experiencing firsthand what it takes to represent different interests, make decisions together and find solutions to real-world challenges.
Democracy isn’t always easy
Imagine having a limited budget but a long list of community needs. Would you invest in affordable housing, public transport, a youth centre or better public services?
That was exactly the challenge our participants faced during an interactive simulation. Working in groups, they represented different interests within a fictional municipality. With just 100 budget tokens available, they had to negotiate, set priorities and find ways to reach common ground.
And as they quickly discovered, that was easier said than done. What seems essential to one person might be less important to someone else. By listening to different perspectives, exchanging arguments and making compromises, participants experienced how democratic decision-making works in practice.
Throughout the week, they also explored topics such as freedom of expression, equal opportunities, human dignity and discrimination. Through debates, group activities and personal stories, they reflected on what these values mean in everyday life.
Turning the streets of Rome into a classroom
One of the highlights of the training took place in Trastevere, one of Rome’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.
Rather than staying in the training room, our participants headed out into the streets to meet local residents and discover the neighbourhood from a different perspective.
What challenges do people face in their community? How do residents experience their surroundings? And what could be done to make their neighbourhood a better place for everyone?
By observing, asking questions and listening to local stories, participants gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between communities, their surroundings and local decision-making.
They then brought these insights back into their group activities, where they explored social challenges and developed possible solutions based on what they had discovered.
In this way, Rome became much more than the city hosting our training. It became an important part of the learning experience itself.
From ideas to making a difference
On the final training day, everything came together. During a simulated public hearing, participants presented and defended their proposals while taking different interests and perspectives into account.
They also reflected on their own roles in society. What can you do when you want to change something? How do you get others involved in your ideas? And how can you bring what you’ve learned in Rome back to your own neighbourhood, organisation or community?
These are questions that are also central to our work at Bildung Nijmegen. After all, getting involved in your community doesn’t always require a big initiative. Sometimes, it starts with a conversation, a simple idea or the willingness to work together to make something better.
More than just a training
Of course, the week wasn’t only about workshops, debates and group assignments. There was also plenty of room for meeting new people, sharing personal stories and enjoying new experiences together.
Each of our adult learners brought their own background, experiences and perspectives to the group. And it was precisely these differences that made the conversations so valuable. Participants didn’t just learn about democracy and civic participation; they learned from one another.
Exploring an unfamiliar city together, stepping outside their comfort zones, supporting each other and sharing memorable moments are all part of the learning journey.
For us at Bildung Nijmegen, this mobility was another reminder of how closely personal growth and community engagement are connected. When people are encouraged to speak up, discover different perspectives and take an active role in shaping their surroundings, new ideas and meaningful connections can grow.
We look back on a wonderful week in Rome and would like to thank all our participants and ALFA EDU for their enthusiasm, involvement and contributions.
Because democracy isn’t just something we learn about. It’s something we create together.
This mobility was part of our Erasmus+ project “Empowering Adult Learners through European Values” (2025-2-NL01-KA122-ADU-000378436) and was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Comments