During spring 2023, the Regional Council of Kainuu together with the Council of Oulu Region and Nord Universitet from Norway is carrying out a small-scale project called “Bridging Youth and Regional Development Through Dialogue”. The aim is not only to give a voice to the younger generation during the project, but to prepare them for future participation. The project offers a platform for young people to practice dialogue skills, expand networks locally and transnationally, and to build a common ground for new initiatives.
In the long run, the goal is to find ways to increase dialogue between youth and the experts working within regional development and enhance youth participation in regional development. As the project only lasts some months, it is seen as the first step towards this goal. The further actions will be built on the experiences gained from this project and the recommendations written together with the youth.
Join us Online on 30th March!
The first visible action of this mini project is a webinar arranged on 30th March 2023 at 14:00-16:00 Finnish time. Youth and experts from Finland, Norway and Sweden are invited to the event, where we’ll hear interesting speeches on building dialogue and participation. Based on those, we hope to launch fruitful discussions with the participating youth about the current situation and about what could be done to improve it.
We have confirmed some great speakers from the Dialogue Academy, Calotte Academy and High North Dialogue – welcome online to be inspired and empowered!
The webinar is open for all youth – you may participate via the link below:
Join the webinar!
Programme
Moderator: Tatiana Petrova, Launch Pad Finland & The Regional Council of Kainuu
14.00 Opening & welcome words: Why we are here today? Why do we need dialogue?
Regional Council of Kainuu
14.05 – 14.30 The Timeout discussion model
Kai Alhanen, Director of Dialogue Academy
Q & A
14.30 – 15.00 Calotte Academy, School of Arctic Dialogue
Lassi Heininen, Professor (Emeritus), founder of the Calotte Academy
Q & A
15.00 – 15.30 High North Dialogue
Director Frode Mellemvik, High North Center, Nord University
Researcher Elena Zhurova Sæther, High North Center, Nord University
Q & A
15.30 -15.50 Questions and comments from speakers and audience, reflecting on the insights
15.55 Closing & upcoming activities
Boost from Bodø
The next big step within the project is arranging a joint trip to Bodø in Norway for selected group of youth and regional development officials, to participate the High North Dialogue 2023 event and its Generation Barents side event, arranged by the Barents Youth Council. These big events set a good example of international events attracting young people to cooperate and offer a good platform for networking, exchanging ideas and learning from each other.
Further project activities are currently on the planning table, and we will share the news as soon as we have something to tell. Stay tuned!
