Age of Disconsent
- GSI
- Dec 22
- 3 min read
In a year defined by fast moving digital transformation and growing worries about civic disengagement, the completion of the Erasmus+ youth exchange Age of Disconsent in Naples in November 2025 served as a timely reminder of the power of cross border dialogue to reinforce global society and promote fair sustainability.
The project responded to the need for young people to better understand their political context, express their opinions responsibly and engage with confidence in public debate, reflecting the values of SDG 16 on inclusive societies.
Central to the initiative was a clear principle: democracy demands more than passive consent. It requires spaces where future citizens can build the capacity to question, collaborate and co create. The project underlined three reasons this work is especially relevant today: a world increasingly influenced by algorithm driven information flows, rising expectations for open and transparent public debate, and the necessity of strengthening social cohesion across cultural boundaries.
A collaborative experiment in political awareness
Organised by the Italian organisation Two Plus Two, in partnership with DiverCity (Armenia), the Finnish Peace Committee (Finland) and the Spanish association Strait Up representing GSI Tarifa, the exchange gathered young participants from four countries, including a six member delegation from Spain. Their common objective was to examine how misinformation spreads and how political narratives develop in an era of instant communication.
Over a week of structured yet informal learning, participants took part in activities ranging from critical media analysis to simulations of public consultations. The facilitation team from Two Plus Two anchored the sessions in nonviolent communication, value integrity and contextual awareness, approaches increasingly recognised as fundamental to responsible citizenship. This methodology enabled participants to analyse the impact of online ecosystems, recognise manipulative discourse frames and practise constructive disagreement, a skill of growing importance in a polarised digital environment.
Building cooperation, confidence and civic fluency
Data shows that young Europeans experience higher exposure to misinformation alongside lower trust in traditional political institutions. Recent EU youth surveys indicate that more than 70 per cent encounter misleading content on a weekly basis, while fewer than 40 per cent feel capable of challenging it effectively. Initiatives such as Age of Disconsent help counter this trend, not by promoting specific political positions, but by strengthening analytical thinking and intercultural understanding.
Working in mixed national teams, participants developed comparative perspectives on how political messaging varies across their societies. This intercultural exchange encouraged empathy and collaboration, supporting one of the project’s central aims: to make political issues engaging, personal and active for young people seeking deeper participation in civic life.
A podcast as a public contribution
The project concluded with a collaboratively produced podcast, extending the participants’ reflections to a broader audience. Each episode explored aspects of digital misinformation, individual responsibility and democratic expression, ensuring that the project’s outcomes reached beyond the temporary community formed in Naples.
The partner organisations have committed to continuing their cooperation, recognising the importance of a long term network focused on enhancing youth engagement and reinforcing civic resilience.
Looking ahead
As digital communication continues to accelerate and political narratives become more intricate, projects like Age of Disconsent show that young people are not simply witnesses to social change, but active contributors to it. Their capacity to question, collaborate and communicate responsibly may prove decisive for the quality of public discourse in the years ahead.
Further information on comparable international initiatives supporting youth participation and digital literacy is available through the following resources:
