The Intercultural Meetups are a key component of the learning cycle for children participating in our programs. These 90-minute online gatherings allow children to connect with their peers from different countries, providing a platform to share their unique cultures while cultivating an appreciation and understanding of diversity.

Meaningful interfaith and intercultural interactions like this can help children cultivate ethical approaches to social and cultural issues while developing empathy, compassion and care for others.

SDG Academy

The first Intercultural Meetup brought together 12 children aged 13 to 17 from Kenya and Sri Lanka who were part of the SDG Academy (SDG refers to the Sustainable Development Goals), one of the flagship programs of the End Child Poverty Initiative of Arigatou International. For most children, this was the first time talking to children from another continent.

The gathering saw meaningful exchanges among these participants. The Kenyan children who participated proudly shared their country’s cultural diversity, showcasing the richness of Kikuyu culture, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country, with a combination of Christian and traditional African religions. Similarly, the Sri Lankan children highlighted their homeland’s cultural composition, consisting of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Christians and indigenous communities. They shared insights into their customs and traditions, including traditional cuisine and sweets.

The children concluded the dialogue by reflecting on their commonalities and the values that they share such as respect and empathy. Guided by the principles of Arigatou’s Ethics Education Framework, the meetup enriched children’s learning experience nurturing both self-awareness and appreciation of diversity.

Children reflected on what had been shared and identified the main differences between the countries and cultures. They discussed their similarities and reflected on our interconnectedness. The conversation guided children into exploring the relevance of cultivating interfaith and intercultural sensitivity.

After an enriching conversation about their cultures and discussing their countries’ unique characteristics, the dialogue concluded with reflections on shared values, such as respect and empathy, that unite children across all cultures, regardless of differences.

The meetups were a great opportunity for learners to connect with children from different parts of the world and learn from other children going through the same ethics education program.

During the meetups, children shared their cultural backgrounds and reflected on their differences and commonalities. They delved into the unique customs of their peers’ countries, discovering how language, climate and religious and spiritual practices influence their daily lives. These interactions fostered an appreciation for diversity, encouraging children to recognize shared values and understand that, despite physical distances, our lives are deeply interconnected.

“This process was very meaningful because children learned to respect each other. The students were very enthusiastic about participating in this activity, from preparation to execution. They were delighted to interact and make new friends from other countries. The hope is that these meetings will continue to build mutual learning.” — Teacher from Indonesia

“It was wonderful to see learners sharing their best practices. The ultimate goal was to support them in becoming global citizens who respect diversity and humanity through ethics education for sustainable development and for building a peaceful world together.” — Teacher from Nepal

To ensure the success of the meetups, baseline and end-line surveys were created to assess the participant’s exposure level to other cultures, religions and ethnicities before and after the meetup. The surveys also included questions related to children’s safety and their consent to information dissemination about the event.

Before each meetup, the local adults working with the children participated in webinars to get acquainted with the format and expectations and to help prepare the children before the gathering.

The meetups play a crucial role within the ethics education learning cycle by offering children a platform to engage in authentic intercultural and interfaith experiences. This opportunity is especially valuable for children who have not previously had the chance to interact with peers from different countries, ethnicities, and faiths. By incorporating the meetups into the learning process, children can broaden their perspectives and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity.

Arigatou International – Geneva supports all processes on the institutionalization of meaningful child participation and safeguarding. During the past fiscal year, Arigatou International – Geneva supported the development and attended three workshops for all personnel, focused on exploring and discussing meaningful, ethical and safe child participation. These workshops led to a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, marking a key milestone in mainstreaming safe, ethical and meaningful child participation. This progress aims to advance the organization’s status as a leading advocate for children’s rights and well-being, amplifying the voices of children and recognizing them as key stakeholders.

Aiming to standardize procedures, resources and tools for integrating safe, ethical and meaningful child participation across Arigatou International and all its initiatives, the Geneva office leads children’s engagement during advocacy events. This includes ensuring that participating children are informed, heard and that their inputs are respected, while their involvement remains voluntary and relevant. During the period under review, children attending the Interfaith Prayer, global conferences and consultations, and intergenerational dialogues received full support.

Moreover, Arigatou International – Geneva is actively involved in preparing children for their participation in the GNRC Sixth Forum. This includes engaging in Task Force meetings, providing inputs, developing child-friendly resources, and promoting approaches that ensure children are meaningfully involved.

As part of the Institutionalization of Child Participation and Safeguarding, our office is invested in strengthening the representation of children’s voices and affirming their role as important members of the organization. Thus, the Children’s Advisory Group (CAG) was created and established and is currently supported as an important consultative body for the development of the GNRC Sixth Forum.