Accra Dances Movement for Climate Change

From Accra to Berlin: Young People Using Dance to Advocate for Water Justice

The journey to Berlin began through the Global Water Dances Movement, an international initiative that uses dance as a powerful tool to raise awareness and inspire action on critical global issues. Through their participation in this movement, young people from the Accra Dances Movement, an initiative of the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF), had the opportunity to connect with global partners, share their experiences and become part of an international youth exchange focused on water advocacy.

This exchange was built on a strong foundation of cultural learning and collaboration. In the previous month, participants from Germany spent two weeks in Ghana, engaging with SCEF and the Accra Dances Movement through workshops, community activities and creative sessions focused on water, sustainability and advocacy. Their time in Ghana allowed participants to experience local realities around water access, environmental challenges and community-led solutions while building meaningful connections with young people and communities.

Following this Ghana-based exchange, a team of 10 staff members and beneficiaries from SCEF travelled to Berlin, Germany, for the second phase of The Water Between Us, a two-week youth exchange programme focused on Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

Guided by the powerful message that “80% of our bodies are water, so protecting water means protecting life,” the participants used dance as a creative language to communicate the importance of water conservation, access to clean water and the urgent need to protect this essential resource for future generations.

Rather than relying only on traditional advocacy approaches, the team transformed movement into a message of change. Through choreography, performances and creative storytelling, participants demonstrated how dance can educate, connect communities and inspire action around water justice.

The Water Between Us: A Journey of Learning and Connection

During the Berlin exchange, participants from Ghana and Germany engaged in workshops, discussions and collaborative performances exploring the realities of water access, water scarcity and water injustice across different contexts in the Global South and Global North.

The exchange deepened participants’ understanding of the vital role water plays in sustaining life, protecting health and supporting communities. It also strengthened their confidence as young advocates who can use creativity and storytelling to influence conversations around environmental protection.

A key highlight of the programme was the recognition of dance as a universal language — one that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. Through shared performances, participants were able to communicate powerful messages, break cultural barriers and create a platform for social change.

“Dance became our shared language — for awareness, for connection, and for change.”

Strengthening the Accra Dances Movement

For SCEF, this opportunity represents the continued growth of the Accra Dances Movement, which seeks to empower young people to use their creative talents as tools for advocacy, leadership and positive social impact.

The exchange equipped participants with new perspectives, international experiences and partnerships that will continue to influence their work within their communities. The friendships created between Ghanaian and German participants demonstrate the power of collaboration in addressing shared global challenges.

Creating Lasting Change Through Movement

The Accra Dances Movement continues to show that art can be a powerful force for social change. By combining creativity, advocacy and community engagement, SCEF is supporting young people to become confident voices for issues that affect their lives and environment.

The Berlin exchange marks another important milestone in this journey — proving that when young people are given opportunities to connect, create and lead, their voices can move beyond borders and inspire meaningful action for a more sustainable future.