In the picturesque city of Denizli, Turkey, a group of 39 enthusiastic young participants from seven different countries came together for a transformative experience that aimed to shed light on the often-overlooked issues surrounding food production. The project, aptly named "Hormone World," took place from July 1st to July 10th, 2021, and was categorized as a Youth Exchange under the Erasmus+ Program.
Fast-food restaurants have become the epicenter of industrial food production, rapidly expanding worldwide. However, the project organizers were deeply concerned about the dark side of this industry, where the treatment of animals, especially chickens, often falls under the shadow of profit margins.
Participants of "Hormone World" embarked on a mission to confront the mass-production faults within the food industry, which have led to the mistreatment of animals. Their focus was on the accelerated growth of chickens, who are sent to slaughterhouses twice the size they were 50 years ago. To meet the soaring demand for chicken meat, producers have resorted to breeding broad-breasted chickens, sacrificing their well-being.
One alarming consequence of this rapid growth is that these chickens can hardly take a few steps due to their overburdened muscular and skeletal systems. Moreover, the feeds they are given contain antibiotics, contributing to the global issue of antibiotic resistance and posing risks to human health.
The objectives of the "Hormone World" project were clear and far-reaching:
Inform people about the treatment of animals in food farms.
Promote sensitivity towards purchasing fast food products.
Raise awareness about animal rights.
Encourage critical thinking about food consumption.
Promote a healthy lifestyle among participants and target groups.
Educate about diseases and parasites related to animal farming.
Provide equal opportunities for young people.
Facilitate cultural exchange among participants from seven countries.
Foster tolerance and eliminate prejudices.
Support participant-oriented learning methods.
Raise awareness about the importance of voluntary activities.
Enhance the visibility of the Erasmus+ Program.
Increase learning mobility for individuals.
Develop cooperation for innovation and cultural exchange.
To achieve these goals, the project included a variety of engaging activities. Participants gave presentations on hormone food production, organized flash mobs to draw public attention, visited animal farms, shot documentaries to create awareness, and conducted debates on opposing ideas. They also built chicken coops, participated in healthy food workshops, attended seminars on organic food production, and hosted cultural nights to showcase their diverse backgrounds.
The impact of "Hormone World" has been significant, with several positive outcomes:
Increased awareness about social problems.
Successful intercultural interaction.
A surge in awareness about organic food production.
Greater sensitivity towards avoiding fast food and hormone-laden products.
Enhanced respect and tolerance for different cultures.
Elevated visibility and awareness of the Erasmus+ program.
Acquisition of new knowledge and skills by participants.
Informed target groups about the importance of a healthy life.
Heightened sensitivity of EU youth to social responsibility.
Promotion of learning mobility and different learning methods.
Creation of new cooperation opportunities.
Development of institutional capacities of partners.
The "Hormone World" project stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration and youth engagement in addressing pressing global issues. It not only educated and inspired participants but also left a lasting impact on the communities they reached out to.
As we reflect on the transformative journey of "Hormone World," we are reminded that informed and empathetic young minds hold the key to a brighter, more sustainable future for our world.
"Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them."
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