Bon dia! This is Alba, representing JERC (Youth of Left wing republican party of Catalonia).

When in Catalonia we celebrate “Castanyada”, I went to somewhere unexpected: a Young Greens Exchange in a place of my country that I didn’t know at all, Madrona (Solsones).

At the beginning I was completely lost, but thanks to the nice people I found, I quickly got comfortable. A great amount of Swedish from the Green Party Youth (around 15), some Spanish from Red Equo Joven and ICV and some Catalans (not related to any political party) were there discussing about economical issues, The first topic on the panel was “Base income”. We could reflect about pros and cons and we could start having an opinion on it. It was interesting to see the similarities and some differences between the participants and their countries.

After that it was already time to have lunch. It was then when I met the family running the house we’re living in for some days, They were really welcoming and made a fantastic meal!

Afterwards, we had the opportunity to visit Solsona. A beautiful town where we could continue talking about politics in the different countries and knowing each other better.

Once back at the house we had a Swedish dinner. I realised IKEA meatballs are genuinely traditional in Sweden! The great meal let us to have very interesting conversations and to meet new participants from France and Catalonia.

Overall I’m glad I have come here, an unknown place that I already feel familiar and where I’m learning a lot. The best way to know other left wing political organizations and create relations in order to learn from each other and cooperate. We are really similar! I hope this doesn’t finish here, see you all again somewhere else (or here!).

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Part of the group visiting Solsona