Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship
The Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship is an activity organised by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the National Youth Observatory of Tunisia and in partnership with other international youth-led and youth serving organisations of the Network on Youth and Global Citizenship.
Since 2013, the Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship (MedUni) gathers representatives of youth organisations and youth movements to discuss, train and be trained around issues of democratic participation and global citizenship.
Specific objectives
- To provide training and capacity building for young people and youth organisations;
- To promote youth work and youth participation in Europe and the Southern Mediterranean;
- To foster political mainstreaming of youth related issues and youth policy development in Europe and the Southern Mediterranean based on shared experiences, standards and mechanisms of the Council of Europe and in light of regional needs and quadrilogue initiatives;
- To encourage participation of young people in decision and policy making by promoting their involvement and interaction in quadrilogue initiatives;
- To foster Euro-Mediterranean youth co-operation as well as Global Youth Work, and foster the development of networks that can serve as trans-Mediterranean communities of practice;
- To mainstream human rights, intercultural dialogue and democratic citizenship as essential dimensions of global education and the work with young people, in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean Youth Cooperation
In today's hyper-connected world, young people are among the most active users of digital technologies and, as a result, are increasingly vulnerable to the risks and dangers of the digital space.
In light of this context, the 2025 edition of the Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship (MedUni) will focus on empowering youth for digital safety. Building on the need for stronger digital rights and protections, the MedUni will integrate dedicated activities, training sessions, and thematic workshops that aim to raise awareness, strengthen legal literacy, and develop the competences young people need to navigate and shape the digital world. Through interactive learning and intercultural exchange, the MedUni will equip youth with tools to protect their rights online, promote responsible digital citizenship, and reinforce their capacity to act as multipliers within their communities.
The 2025 edition will also be the first ever to host the first in-person training course for participants of the HEY Programme (Human Rights Education for Youth), which in 2025, has a strong focus on youth digital safety by developing and implementing courses on media information and literacy, data protection, artificial intelligence (AI) and combatting hate speech online.
The 8th edition of MedUni is organised with the support of the joint programme between the European Union and the Council of Europe " Protecting human rights, rule of law and democracy through shared standards in the Southern Mediterranean" (South Programme V) and the Neighbourhood Partnership with Tunisia (2022-2025), in the framework of the project "Enlarging the common legal space with Tunisia", as well as through projects based on voluntary contributions from NSC members, and with the support of the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports through its National Youth Observatory (ONJ).
Activities at the 8th MedUni
Fourth and final training course in the 2024-2025 cycle of the RoLYN network
North-South Centre of the Council of Europe
The Rule of Law Youth Network (RoLYN), launched in Tunisia in 2024, empowers youth NGOs to engage with rule of law issues, focusing on corruption and environmental degradation. This final training aims to consolidate learning, foster peer exchange, and build sustainability strategies. It will also explore emerging digital challenges, involving 18 young representatives from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
HEY tutor training - Human Rights Education for Youth
North-South Centre of the Council of Europe
The HEY - Human Rights Education for Youth programme aims to empower young people to take action for human rights, by improving their knowledge and understanding of European standards and other international legal frameworks for the protection of human rights (such as specific treaties, conventions, protocols and charters of the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the African Union). This first training of tutors training prepares a group or young participants from Europe, Africa and the Middle East (18–30) to lead peer education using the HEY methodology and platform. It also fosters intercultural learning, networking, and the creation of a community of human rights advocates.
Training on combating fake news and disinformation on digital social networks
National Youth Observatory (ONJ) Tunisia
This training workshop aims to equip 20–25 young participants from youth centre web radio stations with the skills to identify and combat fake news on social networks. It focuses on understanding how disinformation spreads, using fact-checking tools, and developing critical media analysis. The initiative also promotes ethical media practices among youth content creators.
Building capacity to protect against and prevent extremism and cyber threats among young people
National Youth Observatory (ONJ) Tunisia
This workshop aims to build youth resilience against violent extremism and cyber threats, aligning with Tunisia's national strategies. It will define key cyber risks, enhance knowledge and skills through a participatory approach, and support the creation of positive alternative content. The training targets 25 young people active in cybersecurity-focused youth institutions and associations.
Youth, climate and digital safety for the development of the Mediterranean: Italy and Tunisia for a new generation of cooperation
Italian Youth Council (CNG)
This initiative empowers 17 young leaders from Italy and Tunisia to promote digital safety, environmental sustainability, and cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean. With support from MEDREC experts, participants will explore digital threats, gain practical tools for responsible digital citizenship, and co-design impactful initiatives. Peer learning and collaboration are central to fostering regional resilience and youth leadership.
Young people and digital threats: tools and strategies for resilience
Mediterranean Youth Forum - FOMEJE (Morocco).
This workshop aims to equip 25 young leaders from Morocco and Tunisia with skills for responsible digital citizenship. Through a participatory and intercultural approach, it will raise awareness of digital risks, develop critical thinking, and provide tools for resilience. Participants will also collaborate on local campaigns and share best practices.
Seventh Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - June 2019
Sixth Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - May 2018
Fifth Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - July 2017
In 2017 the 5th edition of the MedUni took place in the Centre de Vacances et de Loisirs pour Enfants, in Hammamet (Tunisia) and gathered 154 participants for the Euro-Med region distributed in five different activities.
Fourth Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - May 2016
Third Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - June 2015
Second Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - June 2014
First Mediterranean University on Youth and Global Citizenship - July 2013
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