Young Gamechangers posing for a group picture after the Minecraft workshop ended, Bargny, 29 June 2024. (c) UN-Habitat

Hello, My Minecraft World! Public Space Co-Design Training Of Young Gamechangers in Bargny

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4 July 2024, Bargny.The excitement is building as we gear up for the next Studio III – Minecraft Co-Design Workshop! Fresh from our recent trip to Bargny, where we laid the foundation for a thrilling new chapter, we can’t wait to see what the future holds. The training in Bargny was a resounding success, setting the stage for the incredible journey ahead. 

Setting up Minecraft together with the participants as a first step towards building their first public space designs, 27 June 2024. (c) UN-Habitat
Setting up Minecraft together with the participants as a first step towards building their first public space designs, 27 June 2024. (c) UN-Habitat

Building the Foundations 

In Bargny, the local #YoungGamechangers dove into the world of Minecraft with enthusiasm and determination. Our training sessions covered everything from setting up the game to navigating its virtual realms, and even creating their first rough builds. These budding architects and digital innovators quickly grasped advanced techniques and got a tantalizing taste of coding. Despite the challenges, their eagerness to learn and innovate shone through. 

Young Gamechangers Lab in Bargny Young Gamechangers at training

The Heart of Innovation: Young Gamechangers Lab 

The centerpiece of the capacity-building undertaking is the Young Gamechangers Lab, – a vibrant , welcoming and fun training center established by the Young Gamechangers Initiative team. The Lab is a beacon of opportunity for the youth of Bargny, offering an open-door policy that welcomes any young person eager to learn and share knowledge. The only requirement? A hunger for learning and a desire to collaborate, while building one’s soft skills, one thing leading to the other. 

This space is more than just a training center; it’s a hub of creativity and innovation. From a dilapidated room almost abandoned by the municipality, the Gamechangers have build a beautiful, warm and attractive (first!) public space for the youth of Bargny to enjoy. They have chosen their own mural painting, representing the greenery they want to bring to Bargny, and set a multimedia corner where they can listen to music, watch videos or play UNO together! It’s where young minds come together, exchange ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital world. The Lab symbolizes our commitment to empowering youth through digital education, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

Some of the youth engaged in the workshop never played Minecraft before, but now are ready to use the game as a tool to transform public spaces of Bargny. 26 June 2024. (c) UN-Habitat
Some of the youth engaged in the workshop never played Minecraft before, but now are ready to use the game as a tool to transform public spaces of Bargny. 28 June 2024. (c) UN-Habitat

Looking Ahead: The Final Challenge 

Come September, the excitement will reach a fever pitch as our trained young gamechangers gather for the final challenge. They will split into teams and present competing projects to redesign two public spaces in Bargny, chosen through public voting. This is more than just a competition; it’s an opportunity for these young innovators to leave a lasting impact on their community, showcasing their skills and creativity. 

Stay tuned as we follow the journey of these remarkable young people. We can’t wait to see the innovative designs they will bring to life for the public spaces of Nguène and CFP Diamalaye, and the positive change they will spark in Bargny. The future is bright, and it’s being shaped by the hands of our #YoungGamechangers.

Join us in celebrating their journey, supporting their growth, and witnessing the incredible transformations they will achieve.   

The Young Gamechangers showed an amazing appetite to learn and use their skills to support their community and was an inspiration. I look forward to seeing their skills continue to grow!
Nikolas Lanjouw, Minecraft expert of #YoungGamechangers, UN-Habitat, smiling
Nikolas Lanjouw
Minecraft expert, UN-Habitat

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