Estonia

The aim of the training sessions is to provide constructive knowledge about the concept and practice of youth advocacy and leadership and additionally to improve young people’s skills. The first training will be focused on developing the skills and capacities of youth leaders and raising general awareness of youth leadership, advocacy education, strengthening youth associations and civil society, and the involvement and participation of young people in decision-making processes. Also training session is dedicated to gain practical experience by visiting local goverment and NGOs that promote/help and contribute to the Youth Work locally and work in the interests of Youth. The Final section of the training session covers the issues facing young people in each of the partner countries, what joint problems exist that could be resolved through joint effort and how to relate and use methods of advocacy to advance awareness on these issues. This is supplemented through strategic dialogue discussions with experts, exercises and group work in order to use the Nordic cooperation angle to exchange experiences and best practices on how to initiate change (organise campaigns etc.) and create a comparative perspective on developing solutions for the future. Each training session follows the same structure but addresses the core topics on the different levels of operation detailed above to ensure comprehensive review of the topic.

Date and place: 2nd – 5th of February 2023 in Tallinn & Narva, Estonia
Venue: Narva Vaba Lava Theatre Cntre (Linda tn. 2, Narva, Estonia)

Participants: up to 25 participants (5 participants per country). Partner organisations representatives, experts, invited guests, students/youth and NGOs leaders, networks and individuals representing vulnerable groups.

Official languages: English

Components of the public debate:

– Key training conducted by international experts in the field of youth advocacy, youth policy, education and inclusion, political participation, civil society, human rights, breaking stereotypes and providing necessary tools and services. – The aim is to introduce the themes to all participants (as the event is open to all) and further elaborate on the continued relevance of these themes.

– Panel discussion sessions, these panel discussions include representatives of many different backgrounds who will highlight the usefulness of creating a comparative perspective, being open to ideas from other countries (regions), and finding common goals and policy approaches.

– Practical working groups/workshops for participants to introduce them to new skills and knowledge with final cooperation results. (Workshop agenda for organizations/individuals related with strengthening cohesion for more inclusive Europe).

Methodology

The meeting is designed as a mutual learning process where participants can compare their approaches to advocacy in different European countries in a dialogical intercultural approach and environment. At the end of the training, participants will design activities and projects to promote youth interests, engagement and sustainability in their communities.

REGISTRATION (online form) is open until 30th of January 2023

02.02.2023, Thursday – Introduction into Youth Advocacy and Leadership
10:00 -12:00 Arrival and registration of Estonian and non-Estonian delegates in Tallinn
12.00 – 17.00 Visiting Tallinn City.
18.00 – 20.00 Practical game and group work task
20.00 – 22.00 Dinner + Formal opening of the International Training Meeting

03.02.2023, Friday – Youth Leadership / Capability Training for Young Leaders Part I
9.30 – 10.00  Purpose of the international training-meeting and division of the young people into working groups to work on one of the sections of the final outcome – the Youth Advocacy Statement.
10.00 – 11.00 Presentation “Advocacy – what is it?” – Anna Lisa Strakova, University of Tartu.
11.00 – 12.00 Leadership Training for Young Leaders Part I
– Goal Setting and Planning (Triin Roos & ENL)
– Change Management (Anneli Ohvril)
– Self-leadership skills (Vassili Golikov)
– Self Communication Skills (Sandra Jaanika)
– Negotiation skills (Anna Liza Starkova)
11.30 – 12.00 Questions and answers
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 14.30 Youth Leadership / Capability Training Part II
– Goal Setting and Planning (Triin Roos & ENL)
– Change Management (Anneli Ohvril)
– Self-leadership skills (Vassili Golikov)
– Self-expression skills (Sandra Jaanika)
– Negotiation skills (Anna Liza Starkova)
14.30 – 14.45 Questions and answers
14.45 – 15.00 Coffee break
15.00 – 17.00 Workshops and practical exercises on youth advocacy (Based on the Youth Advocacy Workstream)
18.00 – 19.00 Gala Dinner

04.02.2023, Saturday – Practical part and strategic dialogue
09.00 – 11.00 Practical part: meeting with a youth advocacy expert/Visit to a youth advocacy-led NGO (Vitatiim and Community development centre).
11:00 – 12:00 Keynote speeches and first dialogue session – structured dialogue on the topic with keynote speakers followed by a question and answer session.
12:00 – 13:00 Youth Advocacy Statement Process/Strategic Dialogue – During the day, participants will share their experiences and knowledge on the assigned topic and conduct the first group exercises/questionnaire.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 17:00 Process of preparing the Youth Advocacy Call (Youth, experts and youth associations and officials).
14:00 – 17:00 Strategic Dialogue using the World Café method – group discussions to initiate a strategic dialogue (dialogue with power and policy makers who deal with youth issues and promote youth well-being in their daily work).
15.45 – 16.00 Coffee break
16.00 – 17.00 Synthesis of the results of the strategic dialogue and summary of the practice.
18:00 – 19:00 Dinner

05.02.2023, Sunday – Conclusions
10.00 – 12.00 Presentation of the results (overview of the training learnt and practical skills acquired).
12.00 – 13.00 Presentation of the I draft of the youth advocacy statement and the strategic plan.
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch and conclusion + Departure