Young people from across the Nordic Region come together in Helsinki
“Through working in my student organisation, I’ve learnt that there are people who really do want to take responsibility and work towards achieving a better future. I think we can achieve a lot during these days,” says Malik Koch Hansen, a social sciences student from Greenland.
On an equal footing
During the conference, these young people will be on an equal footing with the adults who usually make the decisions in their lives – teachers and youth leaders, social workers, and researchers. Together the 150 participants will formulate policy-based solutions to the challenges faced by young people living in the Nordic Region. These challenges include young people’s mental health, and their access to the labour market and cultural life. These topics have been drawn from a survey aimed at Nordic stakeholders in youth work and policy conducted between July and September 2016.
Part of a major welfare project
Workshops will form the backbone of the conference at Linnanmäki, the results of which will then be compiled and documented as part of the joint Nordic priority project, Norden 2020.
“It’s important that we promote the participation and influence of young people. Young people must be given the opportunity to have their say in matters that concern them. The ‘Bridges’ conference provides a fantastic opportunity for this,” says Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Finnish Minister of Education and Culture, who is also responsible for youth affairs.
Workshops during the conference will look at concepts such as Ohjaamo – a service specialising in helping young people to get an education and employment.
“Ohjaamo already operates in almost 40 locations around Finland. It’s important that we get young people’s views on how these activities can be developed,” says Sanni.
The press are welcome to attend the entire conference.
Alternatively the debate can be followed on Twitter #sillatbroar #norden2016, Facebook or Instagram
Facts:
The conference forms part of the Finnish presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers and the three-year priority project Norden 2020 (An open and innovative Nordic Region with well-off people in 2020 – equal opportunities for welfare, education, culture, and work).
The ‘Bridges’ conference is being arranged by Hanasaari – a cultural centre for Sweden and Finland – in co-operation with NORDBUK, the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Nuora, the Finnish Youth Cooperation – Allianssi, Nordic Culture Point, the Kohtaamo project, the Youth Research Network, Humak University of Applied Sciences, NCoE JustEd, the Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues, and the Finnish Regional State Administrative Agencies.