International Learning and Meaningful Encounters

At the beginning of April, Lisbon welcomed 30 youth work professionals for a week of learning, dialogue, and professional development. Participants came from Norway, Finland, and Portugal. Among those attending were Iida Porkka, a Bachelor of Humanities graduate from HUMAK, and Saara Karttunen, a Bachelor of Humanities student currently completing an internship with YAD ry, the organization represented by Porkka.

While the experiences and insights from the week are described in more detail below, the core focus was on exploring stigma related to drug use. Participants also examined how to engage with people living in vulnerable situations and deepen their understanding of diverse life circumstances and social realities.

Learning from Lisbon: Youth Workers Exploring Inclusion and Harm Reduction

The first mobility week of the Impact Together project brought 30 youth workers and young professionals from Finland, Norway, and Portugal to Lisbon for an intensive week of learning, reflection, and international exchange. Through study visits, workshops, and group discussions, participants explored stigma related to drug use and the realities faced by people living in vulnerable situations.

The program combined experiential learning with direct encounters with organizations working in harm reduction, social inclusion, youth development, and community support. Participants visited a wide range of initiatives, including community centers, youth-led associations, outreach services, treatment teams, supervised consumption facilities, and organizations supporting people who use drugs, sex workers, LGBTQ+ communities, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Values, attitudes and assumptions

Throughout the week, participants examined their own values, attitudes, and assumptions through interactive methods and reflective exercises. Workshops led by participants encouraged discussions on personal and collective impact, self-awareness, and ways to support young people facing complex challenges. Informal reflection during travel, meals, and group activities further strengthened the learning process and fostered a strong sense of community.

A key takeaway from the mobility was the importance of person-centered approaches, multidisciplinary cooperation, and harm reduction practices in reducing stigma and promoting social inclusion. Participants gained practical insights and inspiration that they will now bring back to their own communities.

Next time in Finland

The week concluded with collaborative planning for local follow-up workshops, ensuring that the knowledge, ideas, and experiences gained in Lisbon will continue to create impact long after the mobility itself ended. A second mobility week will take place in Finland in autumn 2026, where participants from Norway and Portugal will be invited to join.

Text: Iida Porkka, Saara Karttunen, and Maarit Honkonen-Seppälä, who works as a lecturer at HUMAK and communications specialist for the Järjestin service. (Artificial intelligence was used to assist in condensing the main findings and key points of the report into an article-friendly format.)
Photo: Saara Karttunen and other participants