On October 26, we held a unique event – the First Unconference "Children, Nature, and Cities", organized by children, for children. It was far from a traditional conference — instead of presentations and formal talks, there was an atmosphere of discovery, fun, and hands-on learning, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Beeklustpark in Almelo.
Why was this Unconference special?
- Youth Leadership: Workshops were designed and facilitated by the children, showcasing their role as true experts in their work.
- Interactive Engagement: Activities mirrored tasks from our Mapping for Recreation project – from collecting environmental data with sensors and identifying flora and fauna with the ObsIdentify app to collecting children’s perceptions of urban nature places with the Epicollect app. Guests learned that participation in scientific projects is not difficult and can be fun!
- International and Inclusive: We welcomed guests from the International School Twente (IST) (with children from India, Italy, and Poland), families from the neighborhood, and Scouts Llanos, promoting intercultural friendships and connections.
- Community Spirit: Support from local businesses and community groups, including gifts from Schoenmakerij Landkroon and sweets from Candy Family Almelo, support from the Beeklust park activity group and the Stadsboerderij Beeklust reflected the warm network being created around the project.
- Making Memories: After the Unconference, Rangers Twente paid a return visit to Scouts Llanos, who taught us knots and took us for a walk with compasses. The visit finished with mingling by the campfire and roasting marshmallows – much better than those conventional conference dinners! ;)
This event was a wonderful reminder of how citizen science can empower youth, build connections, and encourage cross-cultural exchange. We aim to make it a regular event and also work on upscaling the Map4Rec project to engage more children from diverse backgrounds. Such projects can become an important pillar in the UNICEF Child-Friendly Cities Initiative, ensuring children's voices contribute to urban planning.