The XIII Latin American Dialogues on Community Pedagogies for Democratic Coexistence brought together educators, community practitioners, students, and public institutions from across the region for two days of collective learning in Santiago de Chile. The gathering was convened by the regional EPyC Network on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Democratic Coexistence, a collaborative platform that develops initiatives related to peace education, memory work, human rights, and citizenship formation across schools, universities, civil society spaces, and local communities.
This annual meeting has become a reference point for sharing practices that strengthen democratic participation and community-based education in Latin America. The 2025 edition focused on “Community Pedagogies for Democratic Coexistence” and offered a program of simultaneous workshops, dialogues, and experience-based sessions held across several educational institutions in Recoleta. Activities were designed to foster exchange among teachers, administrators, community leaders, and students while highlighting concrete practices used to build inclusive and participatory learning environments.
The gathering welcomed participants from multiple countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile, and was supported by the Municipality of Recoleta, ACEDUC, and Escuela Abierta. Its focus on local engagement and collaborative learning aligns with broader regional efforts to promote democratic coexistence and strengthen civic participation among young people and adults alike.
The Melton Foundation’s contribution to the event took place within this context. As part of its ongoing collaboration with UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Network for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Foundation participated in the Dialogues by facilitating a workshop for student leaders from seven public secondary schools in Recoleta. This engagement reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing practical approaches to global citizenship, youth empowerment, and education for democratic participation.
Connecting the Melton Foundation’s Mission with Local Educational Priorities
As an organization dedicated to strengthening global citizenship learning and practical youth engagement, the Melton Foundation places strong emphasis on developing capacities for collective leadership, civic responsibility, and community participation. The Latin American Dialogues offered an opportunity to support these aims within a local context shaped by diverse social, historical, and educational realities.
Recoleta, a municipality within greater Santiago, is home to a network of public secondary schools coordinated through the Education Department of the Municipality of Recoleta. The Dialogues created a space to contribute to this ecosystem by offering a workshop designed for student council leaders, aligning directly with the Foundation’s mission to nurture young people who engage with their communities through inclusive and responsible leadership.
A Workshop Designed for Democratic Leadership Development
The student leadership workshop at Centro Educacional José Miguel Carrera B 36 was co-hosted by Lars Dietzel, Director of Strategy at the Melton Foundation, and Karen Veloso, Senior Melton Fellow. The two-hour session was structured as a participatory space focused on practical skills that strengthen democratic leadership in school environments.
Reflecting on the goals for the day, Lars Dietzel noted:
This guiding idea framed the activities and conversations that followed, grounding the workshop in everyday school realities and the challenges student leaders regularly navigate.
Collaborative models of leadership
Participants explored leadership as a shared practice rather than an individual role. Through small-group discussions, students mapped out the different actors who influence decision-making in their schools and reflected on how their student councils operate. This helped them consider how power, responsibility, and communication can be distributed more equitably within their teams.
Shared responsibility within student councils
Students described real situations in which responsibilities fall on one or two individuals, leading to frustration or burnout. Facilitators guided the groups through an activity where they reimagined their councils as teams with shared tasks, clearer responsibilities, and transparent decision pathways. This encouraged students to think of leadership as a collective effort that is strengthened through intentional distribution of duties.
Constructive communication and relationship building
A key focus of the session was communication, especially the everyday interpersonal skills that shape school environments. Through role-based scenarios, students practiced active listening, giving and receiving feedback, and expressing concerns respectfully. These scenarios demonstrated how small shifts in communication habits can reduce conflict, build trust, and support healthier peer relationships.
Reflective practices to understand leadership roles and impact
Students were encouraged to reflect on how their identities, temperament, and lived experiences shape their leadership. Using a guided reflection tool, they identified their strengths, areas for growth, and the values that motivate their involvement in student councils. This created a foundation for leadership rooted in self-awareness and personal responsibility.
Peer learning and collective problem solving
Because the workshop brought together student leaders from seven different schools, a peer-learning activity allowed them to exchange experiences related to coexistence issues, mental health challenges, environmental initiatives, and more. Mixed-school groups worked together to propose practical strategies, offering each other fresh ideas and strengthening ties across institutions.
Connecting learning to school environments
Throughout the session, students continuously linked their insights back to their own schools. They discussed pressures they face, expectations placed on them as representatives, and the need for supportive structures that enable leadership to thrive.
Reflecting on the experience, Karen Veloso shared:
Community Feedback and Impact
The Education Department of the Municipality of Recoleta shared thoughtful reflections on the session. An appreciation message from Camilo Córdova Ríos, Coordinator of Student Affairs and Civic Education, highlighted the value of the workshop for the local educational community:
“The workshop created an appropriate space for exchanging opinions in a conscious and thoughtful way. Students reached a high level of reflection regarding their role as student leaders, their understanding of self, their self-perception, and how these aspects facilitate democratic leadership. We consider the methodology used fully aligned with our guidelines and are grateful for the collaboration in strengthening young leaders who are civic-minded and share citizenship values. We also appreciate the opportunity to coordinate beforehand so the session could be adapted to the characteristics and needs of our students.”
This feedback reflects the workshop’s contribution to ongoing municipal efforts to nurture democratic participation among young people in Recoleta.
A Shared Pathway for Strengthening Global Citizenship
The workshop formed part of a wider agenda within the Latin American Dialogues to deepen approaches to community pedagogy, participatory education, and democratic coexistence. The Melton Foundation’s involvement aligns with its long-standing mission to cultivate global citizenship through programs that encourage ethical leadership, intercultural understanding, and collective action.
Strengthening student leadership at the local level contributes to the Foundation’s broader goals. When young people develop the confidence, skills, and mindset to participate responsibly within their schools and communities, they build capacities that extend far beyond the classroom. These foundations are essential for shaping inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable societies.
Looking Ahead
The Melton Foundation will continue exploring opportunities for collaboration with partners in Latin America and the Caribbean, including UNESCO’s Global Citizenship Network. The experience in Recoleta reaffirmed the importance of creating spaces where young people can reflect, engage, and practice the principles of democratic leadership.
Supporting youth who are growing into community-minded leaders strengthens the global citizenship ecosystem at every level from local schools to regional networks to global learning communities. The Foundation looks forward to contributing to this ongoing work and to supporting young people as they activate their shared leadership potential.
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