Druskininkai, Lithuania | Erasmus+ Youth Exchange | December 3-9, 2023

What does justice really mean in practice — not as a theory, but as something we live, feel, and shape? In the quiet town of Druskininkai, Lithuania, young people from Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain came together to explore this very question. Over the course of one powerful week, they didn’t just discuss justice — they built the conditions to experience it, to challenge it, and to rethink it together.

From the very beginning, Social Justice Club created a safe space for vulnerability and discovery. By sharing personal goals, fears, and expectations, participants began the week grounded in inclusion — not as a distant value, but as a living foundation of community. And from that foundation, the real work began.

The concept of social justice was unpacked through a layered process. It began with definitions — justice, society, rights — but quickly expanded to examine how these ideas manifest in real life. The group investigated basic human needs and reflected on how these needs are (or aren’t) met across different contexts. They delved into the realities of complex identities, where race, gender, class, nationality, and other layers intersect and shape how justice is experienced. This created a space for deep empathy and perspective-shifting: a core exercise in equality.

Role-play exercises around moral conflicts brought the discussions to life. By acting out dilemmas and witnessing others’ responses, participants were able to emotionally engage with difficult themes and navigate ambiguity — an important step in understanding the nuance of social justice. This balance of structured reflection and creative embodiment set the tone for the rest of the exchange.

Perhaps one of the most challenging yet transformative moments came with the exploration of privilege and power. In critically examining the systems that confer advantage — whether based on language, class, gender, or other axes — the group confronted uncomfortable truths. But they didn’t stop at awareness. Through dialogue, they worked to identify legitimate power, deconstruct systems of inequality, and map out strategies for empowerment. These weren’t abstract discussions: participants grounded them in real-world movements and imagined alternative futures rooted in justice.

A creative highlight of the exchange was the day dedicated to art and activism. Participants translated social issues into visual works — paintings, posters, installations — then curated a powerful exhibition. In doing so, they not only expressed their understanding of social justice but learned how to communicate complex issues in ways that engage, provoke, and inspire. This artistic process embodied the value of innovation, proving that change-making doesn’t only happen through policy or protest — it happens through culture, creativity, and shared imagination.

The group also took on a practical challenge: designing campaigns that addressed real-life injustices. Through scenario-building, strategy sessions, and live role-play, they simulated grassroots mobilisations, testing their ability to influence, persuade, and lead. These simulations bridged theory and action, empowering participants to see themselves as agents of change — right now, not later.

Throughout the week, there was constant reflection on the role of democracy in building and protecting social justice. Through structured debates and discussions, the group explored the limits of democratic systems, the risks of exclusion, and the conditions required for justice to flourish within democracy. These reflections were informed not only by theory but also by participants’ lived experiences — adding depth and urgency to the conversations.

Cultural connection also played a vital role in strengthening solidarity. Each night celebrated a different culture, bringing people together through music, food, dance, and storytelling. These moments served as reminders that justice and joy must coexist — that celebration is a form of resistance and that shared humanity is the deepest foundation of any just society.

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By the final day, Social Justice Club had become more than a project — it was a living, breathing community. A space where questions led to insight, where diversity sparked connection, and where justice was not simply spoken about, but practiced.

Tears, hugs, and promises filled the closing moments. Not because the work was done, but because something powerful had begun — a shared commitment to carry this awareness beyond Druskininkai, into daily life, into our communities, and into the future we’re all helping to shape.

Because social justice doesn’t end in a workshop. It begins when we choose to act.

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