“Read Between the Li(n)es!” – Uncovering the Impact of Propaganda | Join YMCA Europe’s EYRN Campaign
📢 Be Aware! Read with Care!
In today’s media-saturated world, propaganda and misinformation are all around us, influencing perceptions and often going unnoticed. YMCA Europe’s “Read Between the Li(n)es!” campaign invites young people to develop critical skills to recognize media bias, resist manipulation, and promote informed thinking.
Developed by young leaders from the European Youth Representation Network (EYRN) during their recent gathering in Salderuo, Spain, this initiative unites 27 youth advocates from over 14 national YMCA movements to confront the challenges of misinformation head-on.
Running from January 20-24, 2025, the “Read Between the Li(n)es!” campaign will spread across Europe, empowering young people to engage in critical discussions on media literacy. Join us on social media for tips, discussions, and resources to empower yourself and your community. Start reading between the li(n)es—share the mission, spread awareness, and strengthen your critical eye!
About the Campaign
Through dynamic social media activities, impactful local events, and accessible educational resources, “Read Between the Li(n)es!” equips young people with the skills to recognize and navigate propaganda effectively. This youth-led campaign doesn’t just demystify propaganda; it builds community resilience by promoting informed and balanced perspectives. Together, we can foster a more aware, critically engaged generation that’s ready to confront misinformation.
Why Now?
In recent years, misinformation has surged, with 70% of Europeans encountering fake news within the past year alone¹. As propaganda takes on new, subtle forms, it’s essential to arm young people with the tools to discern fact from fiction. Building media literacy is key to helping them make well-informed decisions and to minimizing misinformation’s impact on communities.
How You Can Get Involved
Take part in the “Read Between the Li(n)es!” campaign by sharing educational content, hosting discussions, and encouraging others to join the conversation. Together, we can help young people develop strong critical thinking skills, making a lasting impact on how our communities view and engage with information.
Your national YMCA office plays a vital role in amplifying the impact of “Read Between the Li(n)es!” Here’s how you can help spread awareness across the YMCA network:
- Join Us on Social Media and Promote the Campaign: Access the campaign resource kit, which includes Canva templates and social media content that can be easily adapted to your local audience.
- Join YMCA Europe’s Online Discussion Webinar – Thursday, January 23rd: The Understanding Propaganda webinar on the 23rd of January will provide participants with insight into how propaganda seeps into daily life, its impacts for young people across Europe and how ideological boundaries shift from day to day due to misinformation, disinformation and state and non-state actors’ mingling in the conflict for our attention. Register here and take part in a revealing discussion on how information travels and shapeshifts.
- Host Local Events and Discussions: Bring your community together to discuss the impact of propaganda and explore ways to identify and resist manipulation.
- Encourage Story Sharing: Inspire your community to share their experiences with misinformation using the hashtag #UnderstandingPropaganda, contributing to a Europe-wide conversation on media literacy.
- Engage Online: Help amplify the campaign by resharing YMCA Europe’s social media posts and engaging with them. Comment, like, and share to increase visibility and create a ripple effect that reaches even more young people across Europe. Your interactions can make a real difference and we will make sure to do the same for your posts!
Join a Europe-wide Movement and Get Started!
Let’s come together to reveal the power of critical thinking and informed perspectives, building a shared commitment to recognizing and resisting misinformation.
This January, by engaging with the “Read Between the Li(n)es!” campaign, you’ll strengthen your understanding and help protect your community from manipulation.
Join us in empowering young people to navigate the media landscape with confidence and clarity!
¹Amy Watson, ”Frequency of seeing disinformation in the EU 2022”, 7.02.2024, Statista
