We have concluded the 50 Social Transformer Assemblies, with over 4,000 participants. From January 17 to June 24, MyPolis traveled across mainland Portugal, from north to south, and the islands, including Funchal and Ponta Delgada, to promote participatory democracy.

These Assemblies were a partnership between MyPolis and the 50 Years 25th of April Commemorative Commission, to reinforce the memory and emphasize the current relevance of the Revolution in building and affirming democracy.

It was months of intense fieldwork, facilitating debates among primary, middle, and high school students about the importance of identifying their territory’s problems and using creativity to propose solutions while still young. Beyond creativity, it was amazing to see them overcome shyness and present their ideas to political representatives. Empowered, they develop their proposals, justify their reasons, and challenge councilors, mayors, and parish councils to commit to solving these issues.

The 15-member MyPolis team was involved in everything from organization, contacting councils and parishes, and teachers, to producing audiovisual content and facilitating the Social Transformer Assemblies. Our project manager, Francisca Rato, who facilitated 11 meetings, highlighted the importance of the Assemblies for students: “For most children and young people, it’s the first time they can dialogue with their territory’s representatives. Creating an environment where everyone can be heard, regardless of individual characteristics, plants a big seed of change that I am sure will bear fruit in the future.”

In total, 397 proposals were presented, covering various topics, such as:

• > Environmental Care: Students in Loulé suggested sustainable public transport and awareness campaigns among students and the community;
• > Fire Prevention: Students in Fundão proposed creating an “action kit” to guide the population;
• > Accessibility: Construction of ramps in schools, like in Sesimbra;
• > Conflict Prevention: In Lisbon, students suggested an anti-stress room to prevent conflicts among students.

These initiatives show the positive impact of involving young people in building a better future for their communities. In Massamá and Monte Abraão, for example, students exchanged experiences with those from the Senior University. The older individuals were in the classroom with the young ones, thinking up proposals and presenting them to the Parish Council.

“It’s a very enriching experience, and we can involve different generations, both young and old. Knowing the reality and perspective of these students are important initiatives to reinforce their role and participation,” emphasized the President of the Massamá and Monte Abraão Parish Council (UFMMA), Pedro Brás.

 

Space for Dialogue

At the Loures Assembly, it was possible to see students who disagreed with each other’s ideas but still maintained dialogue and built a healthy debate.

“The day is always very good and interactive. We, students, come into contact with relevant issues, and it’s great to have someone from the Council who can listen to us when we report our problems,” said Mariana, a high school student in Loures.

We are committed to involving young people, promoting participatory democracy, and encouraging them to be agents of change. We are convinced that through these initiatives, we not only cultivate active citizenship but also prepare new generations to build a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive future for all.

For the next year, we are excited to continue promoting participatory democracy, not only in Assemblies but also through other meetings and classroom games. We are planning new projects so that the 50 years of Portuguese Democracy can be celebrated even more.

 

How Does a Social Transformer Assembly Work?

With the game and teaching methods developed by MyPolis, teachers in the classroom invite students to identify problems in their territories, inside and outside the school, and be creative in imagining possible solutions.

 

Presenting Ideas to Political Representatives

In the Social Transformer Assemblies, students present proposals and receive feedback through the Assembly game, where representatives can play one of four feedback cards:

• > “It’s Possible”;
• > “It’s Not Possible”;
• > “Needs Modification”;
• > “Let’s Talk”.

 The proposals are also voted on to elect the most prioritized ones. Based on this, some proposals move forward for implementation.

This academic year, 31 proposals have already been implemented, and about 25 are in the process of being implemented in various territories. Over 250 proposals submitted to MyPolis have been put into practice by young people and their representatives in recent years.

 

– MyPolis

 

Note from Casa do Impacto:

In the context of celebrating the 50 years of the 25th of April, we challenged the Founder and CEO of MyPolis, Bernardo Gonçalves Branco, to write about this important date in our country’s history. MyPolis promised and delivered: 50 Assemblies later, they perpetuated the values of April, generalized the concepts of Civic Participation and Democratic Literacy in the school context, and promoted the active participation of young people who, after critically observing their territory, sought solutions to the problems found. Congratulations, MyPolis!

Read Bernardo’s article here.

 

Mission accomplished, 25th of April will continue as long as someone continues to fight!

 

Photo: Américo Simas, CML

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