As part of the Inclusion Lab project—funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe—we were proud to host a deeply impactful Human Library Event in collaboration with the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG). This event served as a powerful tool for breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and fostering meaningful dialogue between the refugee community and local residents.
The Human Library is not a conventional library. Instead of books, it features people—real individuals with lived experiences who volunteer to become “human books.” In our case, these “books” were young people and adults from refugee backgrounds, each with a powerful personal story to share. The goal? To provide an open and respectful space where people from different walks of life could meet, listen, and engage in honest, eye-level conversations.
The event was a powerful reminder of the human side of displacement and integration. Participants left with a renewed sense of connection and understanding. Many shared how moved they were by the courage and openness of the human books, and how the experience helped them reflect on their own biases and perceptions.
Inclusion begins with conversation. Through events like the Human Library, Inclusion Lab continues to create spaces where young people—especially those with refugee backgrounds—can lead the way in shaping more empathetic, welcoming communities.
