The UNESCO Bootcamp: Gifting the Power to Change the World – March 2025

By Park Yeonju

Do you believe that you have the power to change the world? Do you think that power lies within you? Many people might hesitate to answer these questions. However, I can now answer with confidence: I, too, have the power to change the world. And where did I learn this sense of certainty and countless values? It was at the UNESCO Bootcamp last autumn. In Cagliari, Italy, young people from many countries gathered in one place. Countless nations we see when spinning a globe – this event brought together diverse cultures from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia.

This UNESCO Bootcamp took place over the course of one week is early September. Its unique and overarching theme was “Building DiverCity,” combining diversity and city to represent cities with diversity. The bootcamp was a space for raising voices against racial discrimination and addressing various social issues, while also integrating the value of “sustainable development.” The camp was a highly organized event hosted by UNESCO, the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR), and the Future Food Institute. ECCAR was established by UNESCO in 2004 to raise voices against racial discrimination and strengthen networks among cities in relation to this issue. Ultimately, its goal is to transform cities into safe and harmonious places where we can all coexist.

ECCAR President Benedetto Zacchiroli, Vice President Dr. Ayfer Yazkan Kubal representing Türkiye, and UNESCO staff took the lead in planning and guiding the seven-day experience. On the first day, from those who flew in from distant countries to participants from neighboring European nations, people began gathering one by one at the hostel – with heavy luggage in hand and many steps leading up to the hostel. Climbing these steps meant stepping into a completely different space from that of Korea and starting a week-long journey with new people. Every time I climbed those steps, my heart raced as if I were taking my first steps into a new world.

After all the participants had gathered, the camp officially began with the ECCAR president’s opening address. Following his presentation, the participants took turns introducing themselves briefly. As the only Korean participant, I gradually felt a pleasant sense of responsibility representing Korea. At the same time, I found myself contemplating how I, as a Korean, could contribute to this camp.

The participants I met came from truly diverse backgrounds: a student pursuing a master’s degree in Brazil; a peer from Italy who, after studying international relations in Rome, raised their voice in various political movements; a French participant who studied economics in Paris; a woman from Uganda who became the youngest female mayor in the country’s history; and from Jordan, a pharmacy student with deep knowledge not only of human rights but also in various other fields. Despite their different positions and backgrounds, they all had one thing in common:

They were actively engaged in international fields where they could continuously raise their voices, such as participating in UN models or conferences.

On the second day, the camp officially began. The UNESCO Bootcamp started each morning with yoga classes to ensure participants could approach the camp with healthy bodies and clear minds. As the sun gently rose and wrapped Cagliari in soft sunlight, we practiced yoga in a pleasant, cool breeze. Those romantic moments of sweating while gazing at the blue sky and the beautiful view of Cagliari made the experience truly special. Thanks to this, participants were able to kickstart their day feeling refreshed and invigorated. After yoga, we would dive into new reading material in PDF format for the day. This was referred to as “early-bird reading.” Since the camp also prioritized environmental friendliness, the use of PDFs instead of paper was a key principle.

The topics for early-bird reading were diverse. We took turns reading aloud, one sentence at a time from the Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech of Leymah Roberta Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist. We also explored the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, a UN representative, prolific writer, and speaker. Her speech on “Where Do Universal Human Rights Begin?” and the article written after the adoption of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” reflected on how rights and freedoms could progress in the future. We discussed Amos Oz’s speech on “The Nature of Fanaticism,” where he stated that fanaticism, the belief that one’s own path is the only way, is not confined to a specific group but can be found in every corner of the world. He advocated for a world that embraces diversity. Finally, we reflected on the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” which seeks to ensure universal respect for the inherent and inalienable rights of all human beings.

Starting with Article I of the declaration: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood,” all participants spoke about the importance of human rights and took time to deeply understand its roots. Every morning, we read stories of those who fought for human rights and articles related to human rights. This provided us with a genuine opportunity to grasp the essence of its value. What stood out was that we didn’t just read the articles – we spoke the words aloud, and for sentences that left a strong impression, we repeated them. Although this activity felt unfamiliar at first, over a day or two, we gradually became immersed in the readings and grew curious about which sentences other participants found meaningful. It became a meaningful moment that allowed us to confront and truly reflect on the importance of human rights through written words.

After spending a meaningful morning, the program continued with more in-depth lectures and discussions. Topics included how a hypercomplex society can co-construct ecosystems and open democracies, as well as “augmented cities” for more sustainable and inclusive development. We also took time to learn about the history of Cagliari and Sardinia, where the bootcamp was held. Thanks to a lecture delivered by a university professor based in Cagliari, we were able to study these topics in a profound and engaging manner.

We also explored the role of UNAR (Italy’s National Office Against Racial Discrimination) as an equality body and worked on developing intercultural competencies through a story circle. In addition, we formed small activity groups with participants from the Erasmus camp, which was held during the same period as the UNESCO Bootcamp. In these groups, we introduced ourselves, shared our career aspirations, and gained a deeper understanding of diversity. Meeting participants from the Erasmus camp, part of the European exchange program, provided an opportunity to hear and experience the cultures of various European countries in a short yet vibrant and enriching time.

The power of networking that can connect the world, a seminar with UNAR officials, and even a visit to the Cagliari City Hall – these were among the variety of programs held, and through attending these lectures, discussions, and seminars, each participant had the opportunity to design their own human rights project by the end of the bootcamp.

Since there were participants from various nations, the human rights issues they focused on differed depending on their respective home countries. Some participants designed projects related to LGBTQ+ rights, while others explored how to support the Black movement in France. It was an opportunity to reflect on diverse human rights issues across different countries. These projects needed to be elaborately designed. Participants had to determine the target group for their project, estimate the time required for implementation, and outline the methods for realizing it. After presenting the projects one by one, the group engaged in a Q&A session and received feedback. This process allowed each participant to refine and enhance the quality of their own human rights project.

I took the time to reflect on women’s rights in Korea. Despite taking parental leave, women face significant challenges in returning to work, as well as there being a glass ceiling within companies. Moreover, the percentage of female members of the National Assembly in Korea remains very low. Previously, I had worked on a project with my professor in Korea, where we collected public opinions and submitted them to members of the National Assembly. Based on this experience, I was able to design a larger-scale human rights project. Interestingly, some participants were already aware of the challenges women face in Korea and the difficulty of systematically guaranteeing women’s rights in Korean society.

Elaborating a project, especially one focused on human rights, was no easy task. However, through this activity, we were able to genuinely explore the human rights issues facing our respective countries and further reflect on potential solutions to mitigate them. It was a truly meaningful experience. We listened to lectures from politicians and experts from various fields, which helped us build a solid foundation in human rights and diversity. The final project-design activity allowed us to put that knowledge into practice. Even though some projects may still have had shortcomings, each participant’s human rights project was inherently meaningful in and of itself.

Being able to speak about the situation in Korea and the thoughts of Koreans in front of people from various countries, as well as representatives from UNESCO and ECCAR who are dedicated to human rights, was an overwhelming and inspiring experience. Just as I gained new perspectives on unfamiliar fields by listening to other participants’ projects, I believe they also had an opportunity to understand Korea in a more diverse and nuanced way. During the week-long camp, we engaged in highly productive programs, including in-depth lectures, discussions, and self-driven activities.

Not only the historical sites in Cagliari but also the beach we visited in the mornings left a lasting impression – as did the shimmering waves under the sunlight and the friends who shared those moments. The scenery became an unforgettable memory, like a picture etched in my mind. During the evening by the beach, we went night swimming, learned how to float in the water, and enjoyed a wonderful night with delicious food and laughter. Regardless of nationality or race, we all came together to create radiant and meaningful memories. Moreover, I realized that there are so many brilliant and inspiring people around the world who continue to raise their voices for the universal value of human rights in their respective places.

This camp was an unforgettable experience that provided endless inspiration and learning. The UNESCO Bootcamp brought together not only representatives from UNESCO, ECCAR, and UNAR but also diverse talents, some of whom are already making impactful contributions to society, while others hold immense potential. As we got to know each other and grew closer, we soon found ourselves sharing jokes and enjoying dinner filled with laughter. By the end, the bonds we had formed were so strong that tears were shed during our goodbyes. The countless voices cheering me on are still vivid in my mind. The seven-day UNESCO Bootcamp in Cagliari, Italy, was truly an unforgettable chapter in my life. Based on the values I learned here, I hope to become a better version of myself and meet these incredible people again.

Photograph courtesy of UNESCO Bootcamp.