Adolescent Voice Collective
Introducing the Adolescent Voice Collective
Montessori Europe is proud to launch the Adolescent Voice Collective at the 2026 Congress in Riga – a new initiative designed to place adolescent voice at the heart of education and society. The Adolescent Voice Collective offers young people a trusted and collaborative space to explore global challenges, share their perspectives, and contribute to sustainable futures.
Mission Statement
The Adolescent Voice Collective is a Montessori Europe initiative that provides adolescents with a trusted and collaborative space to explore global challenges, express their perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable futures. Rooted in dialogue, mutual respect, and responsibility, the Adolescent Voice Collective exists to elevate adolescent voice within education and society, and to build long-term platforms for youth-led action aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Building on earlier adolescent forums, the Collective represents a shift from one-off events to a structured, youth-responsive platform grounded in dialogue, trust, and action. It invites adolescents not only to attend, but to co-create, reflect, and lead. In Riga, students from across Europe will come together in workshops and group dialogues, culminating in the presentation of the Riga Declaration to the Congress plenary.
As part of Montessori Europe’s Agenda2030 strategy, the Adolescent Voice Collective will grow year by year, connecting schools across borders and supporting adolescent-led initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It is envisioned as a living, evolving movement empowering adolescents, strengthening intergenerational dialogue, and shaping a more just and sustainable world.
Riga 2026
The Adolescent
Voice Collective
Exploring global challenges, young ideas, and bold solutions
For the first time, Montessori Europe will host the Adolescent Voice Collective alongside our 2026 Congress in Riga. This gathering aims to bring together 50 adolescents and their chaperones from across Europe and beyond to connect, collaborate and create a shared vision for a more sustainable and peaceful world.
Over three days, participants will move through a powerful journey of listening, co-creating and speaking their truth.
Day 1 – Discover and Connect
Friday centres on arrivals, orientation, and forming a strong international community. Adolescents meet, learn about the purpose of the Collective, take part in trust-building activities, and begin reflecting on the change they want to see in adolescent education. The day includes a guided walk through Riga visiting key historical sites and ends with small-group discussions connecting history to personal responsibility.
Day 2 – Co-Create and Commit
Saturday is dedicated to exploration and co-creation. After a warm-up and short introduction to “research through experience,” participants join thematic workshops on peace, ecological responsibility, adolescents’ role in society, and the future of Montessori programmes. They then begin drafting a manifesto in mixed working groups, share their early ideas in a plenary session, and close the day with a relaxed cultural evening celebrating music, stories, and traditions.
Day 3 – Speak and Be Heard
Sunday brings the work to completion as adolescents finalise and rehearse their Manifesto presentation before presenting it at the Montessori Europe Congress. The morning includes time for final edits, visual preparation, and coordinated practice, followed by the official presentation and Congress keynote sessions on peace and Montessori education, leading into the closing ceremony.
Adolescent Voice Collective
27 – 29 March 2026 | Riga, Latvia
All adolescents attending the Adolescent Voice Collective must be accompanied by a designated chaperone. A chaperone may take responsibility for more than one adolescent, provided that written consent is given by each parent or legal guardian. Because the AVC is designed to support adolescents beyond the three-day programme, chaperones are expected to participate fully in all Adolescent Voice Collective activities. Their presence ensures continuity, safety, and an informed level of support once participants return to their home communities.
What the Ticket Includes
The ticket price covers full participation in all Adolescent Voice Collective activities, as well as refreshments throughout the programme and lunch on Friday and Saturday. Refreshments are also provided on Sunday. Please note that accommodation, transport, and any additional personal costs are not included in the ticket price.