“Youth Advocacy on local level”
International training in Göteborg, Sweden, 29th of March – 1st of April 2023
The training was conducted by highly professional experts and young people who shared their own experience and knowledge with other young people. Training themes have been delivered by Vassili Golikov (Sillamäe Society for Child Welfare, Estonia), German Morris (Peace Child Estonia) Susanne Kallanvaara (Burgårdens Gymnasium, Sweden), Adéle Johanne Mathisen (Socialist Youth, Norway), Laura Maria Rajala (Femina RY, Finland), Christian Hansen (Copenhagen Business Academy students, Denmark).
The international training will advance youth the necessary knowledge in advocacy and practical experience through four key areas: youth leadership development, advocacy education, strengthening youth associations and civil society, and youth involvement and participation in decision-making processes.
Overview of the public debate
The aim of the training sessions is to provide constructive knowledge about the concept and practice of youth advocacy on the local level and additionally to improve young people’s skills on public speaking, presentation, management of advocacy strategies and other such skills. The Second section of the training session is dedicated to gain practical experience by visiting various institutions that promote/help and contribute to the Youth Work locally and works 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: 29th of March – 1st of April 2023 in Göteborg, Sweden
Venue: Burgårdens Gymnasium (Skånegatan 20, Göteborg) and Museum of World Culture (Södra Vägen 54, Göteborg)
Accommodation: Appel Hotel (Torpavallsgatan 6, 416 73 Göteborg)
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 note speeches by young people and international experts in the field of youth advocacy, youth policy, education and inclusion, political participation, civil society, human rights, breaking stereotypes, countering discrimination in education system (by age, gender, national origin and disability) and 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).
REGISTRATION (online form) is open until 25th of March 2023
Public debates agenda
29th of March 2023 – Arrival day
10:00 – 23:00 Arrival and registration of all delegates
18.00 – 22.00 Dinner + Formal opening of the II International Training
30th of March 2023 Working day I
Venue: Burgårdens Gymnasium (Skånegatan 20, 412 51 Göteborg)
10.00 – 11.30 Youth Advocacy at local level (participative democracy in Schools, Universities, Youth council in Municipality, Youth NGOs partnership with Local Governments) introduction of theory and practical example
11.30 – 12.30 Leadership Training for Young Leaders I
– Self-leadership skills (Susanne Kallanvaara)
12.30 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 Norwegian SU practical approach in advocating the youth interests: key steps in advocacy and lobbying, political activism, climate change compaing (Adéle Mathisen and Karina Gullberg-Vinje)
13.30 – 14.00 Practical exercises
14.00 – 15.00 Strategic dialogue discussion: Youth Advocacy at the local level – how it works and what needs to be fixed? – Discussion between young people and experts (Young people, Local governments, Schools, Youth NGOs representatives)
15.00 – 16.00 Developing youth initiatives supporting youth competitiveness in the labour market, and empowering youth to be more sustainable.
16.00 – 17.00 Practical part: meeting with a youth advocacy expert/Visit to a youth advocacy-led NGO/ or Local Government institutions
17.00 – 18.00 Conclusion of the day
19.00 – 21.00 Dinner
16.00 – 16.15 Coffee Break
31st of March 2023 Working day II
Venue: Museum of World Culture (Museum of World Culture, Södra vägen 54, Göteborg)
10.00 – 11.30 Leadership training for young leaders II
– Leadership skills development (German Morris)
– Youth Leadership training – Goal Setting and Planning (Laura Maria Rajala)
– Communication and marketing skills (Vassili Golikov)
11.30 – 12.00 Sharing practical exercises on youth advocacy (Based on the practical experience of young people and organisations)
12.00 – 13.00 Working groups:
– Development of Youth Advocacy Toolkit. How young people could advocate to support sustainable development goals in their community
– 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).
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 14.30 Question and Answers session (replying on youth advocacy questionnaire)
14.30 – 16.00 Discovering a joint problems of young people in advocating their rights and interests at local level and preparing own campaign
(Similar problems that could be resolved through joint effort and how to relate and use methods of advocacy to advance awareness on these issues) 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.
16.00 – 16.30 Conclusion of the day
19.00 – 21.00 Dinner
1st of April 2023 – Conclusions
09.30 – 10.00 Presentation of the results (overview of the training learnt and practical skills acquired).
10.00 – 11.00 Presentation of the youth advocacy working groups and the strategic plan.
11.00 – 11.30 Conclusions + Summary of the event and follow up / Departure