Adolescent Voice Collective
Empowering Young People Across Europe
The Adolescent Voice Collective is Montessori Europe’s dedicated programme for young people aged 12 – 18 years. It provides adolescents with a platform to explore global issues, engage in collaborative problem-solving, and contribute their perspectives to the wider Montessori community.
Rooted in Montessori’s vision of education as a force for peace, the Adolescent Voice Collective places adolescents at the centre of meaningful dialogue, creativity, and community action. It brings together young people from different countries, cultures, and school contexts to learn from one another and develop the skills needed to thrive in a changing world.
Each year’s programme offers a dynamic mix of workshops, discussions, creative explorations, and group challenges designed to support the developmental needs of the adolescent.
Mission
The Adolescent Voice Collective (AVC) empowers adolescents across the European Montessori community and beyond to shape a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future.
We create a trusted, collaborative space where young people connect across cultures and borders, explore the challenges shaping their world, express their perspectives, and transform their ideas into meaningful action.
Rooted in Maria Montessori’s vision of adolescents as active participants in society and contributors to its renewal, the AVC fosters agency, responsibility, collaboration, and hope. It enables adolescents to work with one another and alongside educators, researchers, and decision-makers as valued partners in conversations about education, society, and the future.
The AVC is an ongoing network through which adolescents can build relationships, develop youth-led initiatives, collaborate across schools and countries, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider world.
Through intergenerational dialogue and genuine partnership, the AVC seeks to ensure that adolescent voices are not only heard, but are given the space, trust, and opportunity to help shape the future.
Vision
A connected European Montessori community in which adolescents are heard, trusted, and empowered to participate, collaborate, and contribute to positive change.
The AVC envisions a growing network of young people who connect across cultures and borders, learn from one another, and recognise their capacity to make a difference.
Through sustained relationships between adolescents, schools, educators, and the wider Montessori Europe community, the AVC seeks to create opportunities for young people to move from voice to dialogue, from dialogue to collaboration, and from collaboration to action.
Who Can Participate
The Adolescent Voice Collective welcomes:
Adolescents aged 12 to 18
Young people from Montessori schools, public schools, private schools, and home-educating communities
Adolescents with or without previous Montessori experience
The programme is intentionally inclusive. Participation is not limited to adolescents enrolled in Montessori adolescent programmes. All young people who resonate with the programme’s purpose are welcome.
Places are limited to ensure a high-quality experience.
Each adolescent must attend with a responsible adult chaperone. A single chaperone may accompany more than one adolescent, provided all parents/guardians have given consent.
How to Register
Registration for the Adolescent Voice Collective at each congress is managed via our congress website.
Places are limited to 50 adolescents per year. Registration closes when all places are filled.
Each registered adolescent must attend with a designated chaperone and provide parental/guardian consent.
Connect With the Adolescent Community
The Adolescent Voice Collective continues beyond the annual Congress, building networks of adolescents who share a commitment to peace, sustainability, and active citizenship.
Educators and organisations wishing to support adolescent voice projects or collaborations are encouraged to reach out to us at office@montessori-europe.net
Together, we are building a community where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the Adolescent Voice Collective?
Any young person aged 12–18, regardless of school type or educational background.
Do adolescents need a chaperone?
Yes. Each adolescent must have a responsible adult chaperone. One chaperone may accompany multiple adolescents with parental consent.
Are Adolescent Voice Collective materials available after the Congress?
Yes. Resources are stored in the Member Repository for Montessori Europe members.
Is Montessori experience required?
No. The programme is open to all adolescents interested in collaboration, global issues, and creative problem-solving.
What does the cost include?
Adolescent Voice Collective registration includes all programme activities and refreshments (Friday–Sunday). Accommodation and travel costs are not included.
Can schools, school groups or national organisations send delegations?
Yes. We welcome participation from national organisations and school groups.
If you have additional questions, please contact: office@montessori-europe.net