Young people in action to build a shared present: this is Generación Alegría

Within the educational journey promoted by Fe y Alegría Italia, Generación Alegría was born: an initiative that engages teenagers and young adults in paths of active citizenship, intercultural dialogue, and care for our common home. Supported by Fondazione Cariplo, the project has taken root in Lombardy and stands as a concrete example of how education can generate participation, responsibility, and social transformation – also beyond traditional school settings.

Article by Olga Pérez Sastre and Francesca Luana Calia
“What happens when young people from different origins and cultures unite with a strong and inspiring common goal?”
Generación Alegría emerges as a youth group born from the educational path of Fe y Alegría Italia, where adolescents and young adults not only grow and get involved but also work together to build a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable present. They do so with the conviction that, together, they can transform reality and sow hope for the future.

“With the creation of this group, within a project supported by Fondazione Cariplo, we wanted to create a space that is simultaneously a place for meeting, learning, and taking action. A space where young people from different cultures and backgrounds can recognize each other, engage in dialogue, be formed, and actively participate in building a more just and inclusive society. This initiative also allows us to continue our educational journeys, offering former students the opportunity to remain involved in a different, open environment oriented toward community participation. Today, Italian, Spanish, and French youth residing in Lombardy are taking part” (Olga Pérez Sastre, project manager for “Fe y Alegría for the Future”)

Youth as drivers of change
At the heart of the project is the Youth Committee, a group that promotes social engagement and responsibility towards the community and the environment, fostering a spirit of active and supportive citizenship.

One of the first to enthusiastically join was Alessandro, 31, originally from Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) and a member of the youth group “Il Veliero.” For him, joining was natural, almost necessary: “I joined Generación Alegría because I believe it’s an authentic union of people with different backgrounds and stories, yet united by the same faith and values. Values like care for the land we inhabit, trust in building societies based on sharing, interdependence, and mutual support. Initiatives like this can be the seeds that help overcome the individualism dominating our time”.

Next to him, Marcia – originally from Peru and a former student at the Irfeyal Institute of Fe y Alegría Milan – brings the voice of someone who has lived through change and wants to turn it into commitment: “I consider myself a citizen of the world: wherever there is life, dignity, and hope, I feel that I belong. Generación Alegría gives us the space to build a better present together, intertwining our stories, listening to each other, and stepping up for something greater than ourselves”.

These are just two of many stories- diverse roots, but one shared direction: to build together a possible alternative based on listening, solidarity, and concrete action.

“Uniendo Raíces”: weaving roots to foster change
For 2025, the Committee chose the theme for its series of meetings: “Uniendo Raíces – Weaving Roots”, expressing the belief that young people from different paths can form authentic connections and drive transformation.

The first meeting focused on caring for our common home. In collaboration with Angeli del Bello Milano, the youth cleaned and enhanced a local green space, pairing their efforts with reflections on the environment as a shared responsibility.

Eugénie, from Paris, shared: “After cleaning the park with Fe y Alegría, I felt happy and proud – not only for doing something good for our planet, but especially because I did it with people who shared the same goal. It was enriching to meet new people, understand how they relate to our common home in their cultures, and share this experience. I can’t wait for the next action… maybe even as an organizer!”

Patricia, from Ecuador and a member of the Committee, added: “Working with other volunteers and alongside various organizations created an atmosphere of shared commitment and a sense of community. We want to continue on this path, involving more young people and strengthening the local network”.

Marcia concluded with a reflection that turns into an invitation: “Even though I’m not originally from this country, I believe that wherever we are, we have a duty to care for nature and the place that welcomes us”.

A growing seed: educating to transform
Generación Alegría is more than a youth project: it is a school of active citizenship, a workshop of hope where young people from around the world learn to know each other, collaborate, and create change.

Fe y Alegría is an international Movement for Popular Integral Education and Social Promotion, founded in 1955 within the Society of Jesus and now present in over 22 countries worldwide. In Italy, the Fe y Alegría network operates in Milan, Rome, and Genoa, promoting training, integration, and active participation paths for young people and adults, both migrants and non-migrants. The Fe y Alegría Italia network is part of the Fondazione Gesuiti Educazione.

Want to learn more or join the next meeting?
Contact Francesca Luana Calia, coordinator of Generación Alegría, at francesca.luana@feyalegria.it

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