Radio Socrates

Together with BroM (Brede School Molenbeek), researcher core ExploRatio of Odisee University College Brussels wants to set up dialogue spots in Brussels schools. This dialogue place is called 'Radio Socrates' and has a double function. 1. With Radio Socrates, we make a podcast series together with young people from Brussels in which we let young people themselves speak about sensitive social topics that concern young people but which at the same time regularly cause controversy or conflict at school or at home and are therefore unfortunately often avoided. 2. The 'Radio Socrates' dialogue room will also be used in schools to talk to young people about 'what they need to unwind'. BRoM signalled that there is an increasing number of young people who report experiencing unrest at school. This unrest is often a catalyst for conflict and stands in the way of a connecting conversation and a constructive learning and living atmosphere. Schools also signal that there is a need for 'quiet places' for young people, where they can come back to themselves in a safe, low-stimulation space. So far, these quiet places do not exist. Therefore, we would like to take the insights of the young people themselves and work with the schools to organise and set up these rest areas tailored to the young people. Why? Society themes linked to identity and justice keep young people busy. Especially during adolescence, young people are particularly sensitive to identity-related society themes such as lgbtqia+ or themes that trigger a collective sense of injustice, such as migration or the war in Gaza. Polarising statements and radical behaviour are normal features of teenagers growing up in search of their own identity. Yet an increasing number of teachers, broad school actors and parents are signalling characteristics of toxic polarisation in which us-side thinking becomes dominant and hate speech is not shunned by young people. This us-side dynamic is also reinforced by filter bubbles on social media and peer pressure. Teachers, parents and broad-school actors experience action embarrassment; they feel powerless to engage in dialogue with young people on these polarising topics because there is a fear of saying the wrong thing or unintentionally provoking conflict. However, open dialogue is important for young people growing up. Dialogue is a powerful means to prevent polarisation at a preventive stage, to gain insight into the young person's world and to connect. During an open dialogue, you find out what others really think, what they consider important and why they consider something important. It shows us where the possible common ground is. A dialogue also exposes what misconceptions sometimes live in young people's minds and where they lack information to arrive at an informed and nuanced point of view. And it gives them a chance to meet other points of view that are often missing in their online filter bubbles or peer group.