WFWP Slovakia President and schoolteacher brings students to exposure trips to ward depression away
New York – A Slovakian schoolteacher has found a way to encourage youth leadership and help students face problems of depression and anxiety which may have reached epidemic proportions globally in this day and age.
Lubica Magnusson, high school teacher and president of the global nonprofit women’s organization Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Slovakia, said that she is expanding the experience of her students on environmental action and diplomacy. She has involved them in activities like the Danube River cleanup and testing as well as participating in youth leadership training and UN exposure trips.
Magnusson: Promoting learning outside the classroom by expanding the experience of students on environmental action and diplomacy.
Leading the way for the youth, WFWP Austria and Slovakia, at UN Vienna.
Magnusson said that she has observed a major concern for young people in Slovakia these days are their state of mental health, as many feel depressed and anxious. As president of WFWP Slovakia for 13 years, she emphasized that the group is focusing grounding the youth with appropriate programs on character education, sex education, leadership trainings, and literacy.
UN Round Table Talks with Slovakian teacher Lubica Magnusson (lower middle photo) with hosts Merly Barlaan (upper left) and Marivir Montebon.
According to Eurativ.com, Slovak youth have suffered “worsening mental health conditions and rising suicide attempt rates in young people combined with inaccessibility, lack of psychiatric beds, and unmet timely care. The pandemic’s social isolation and the war in Ukraine led to a worsening of the well-being of people in Slovakia.”
Magnusson teaches History which includes UN History, Slovakian History, and the history of women’s movements. She also makes effort to bring her students to exposure trips and leadership trainings, like a sampler to real life.
At the UN Round Table Talks of WFWPI on July 7, 2025, Magnusson shared the latest activities the group in Bratislava has for youth empowerment. In the podcast with her was WFWPI VP for Administration and UN Relations Director Merly Barlaan and UN Representative Marivir Montebon.
Magnusson happily shared one feedback of her 15-year-old student who attended the UN Forum. “It opened my eyes to the world of socio-politics, and I am considering it to be my college degree,” the feedback read.
Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, may seem obscure for many people. But the WFWP has its local chapter in that beautiful Central European country for more than 20 years now.
WFWP Slovakia’s efforts at youth leadership and wellness reflects the UN Sustainable Development Goals on youth empowerment, health, and water and sanitation where member states are currently doing a review of its impact.
At the Round Table Talks, Magnusson said that the SDGs have a big and beautiful vision. “If fulfilled, it will be a beautiful world.” #
