Shaping the Future: First Nordic-Baltic Youth Summit to Take Place in Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania, is gearing up to welcome the very first Nordic Baltic Youth Summit. Bringing together 250 participants from Nordic and Baltic countries, the project promises to be a dynamic platform forging connections, building trust, and fostering collaboration across the region. Powerful, united, and shaping tomorrow - the Nordic-Baltic youth are claiming the spotlight on September 27-28th, 2024. The summit is made possible by financial support from the Nordic Committee for Children and Young People (NORDBUK) and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Organized and hosted by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania in collaboration with Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT) and The National Council of Swedish Children and Youth Organisations (LSU), the project aspires to transform into a long-lasting tradition aimed at making the North-Baltic region the best place for children and young people. “The core principle guiding the Nordic Baltic Youth Summit is to foster an environment where the voices of children and youth are not only heard but actively shape a more inclusive and participatory society. We're thrilled to host this event in Lithuania, recently ranked as the happiest country in the world for youth according to the World Happiness Report”, - says Helén Nilsson, the director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania.
The idea to bring together participants from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden Greenland, Åland, and the Faroe Islands was far from accidental. Expanding from successful past Nordic Youth Summits in Reykjavik and Oslo, the project will now include the Baltic countries, bringing together Youth Councils from across the region. Bound by commonalities in size, democratic values, and rapid-paced economic and social development these countries and territories undoubtedly share similar challenges and strengths.
Driven by the voices of youth, the program has been tailored to address their pressing concerns. Guided by survey results, these topics range from democracy and youth well-being to mental health, peace/security, climate action, and youth involvement. Aligning with these priorities, workshop partners—including Nordregio, Nordic Information on Gender(NIKK), Nordic Welfare Center, Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society (MUFC) and more—will offer fresh insights into key issues such as fast fashion, gender equality, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
Since its initiation, the Summit has aimed to prioritize the needs of young people. The concept of youth creating content for their peers in a way that speaks to them has been fundamental. That's why the project's visuals were developed in collaboration with design students from the Vilnius Academy of Arts. After receiving numerous submissions that captured the essence of the Nordic Baltic countries' identity, the chosen winner now represents the Summit with vibrant linguistic expressions and dynamic design.
The Summit will be located at the very heart of Vilnius Old Town, where historical buildings will be transformed into lively, buzzing venues. The workshop map will span the Vilnius Town Hall, the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania, the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius and the Institute of International Relations and Political Science.
The project is also a direct step towards fulfilling the Nordic Council of Ministers Vision 2030,which envisions the greenest, most competitive, and socially inclusive region. In line with this plan, the summit is dedicated to minimizing its ecological footprint and adhering to the highest sustainable standards, drawing inspiration from the latest recommendations of the Nordic Green Roadmap for cultural institutions.
The approaching inaugural Nordic-Baltic Youth Summit stands as a vital platform for amplifying the voices of young people. Through the power of collaboration, let's pave the way for the region's collective future—enhanced, smarter, and more connected than ever before.
