Dear Young People, Teachers
You are invited to the international conference “Shaping the Future of Europe. June 2024 in Tallinn, Hestia Hotel Europa at 10.00.
The aim of the conference is to broaden and strengthen the cooperation and dialogue between young people and decision-makers (policy-makers, change-makers and influencers) who influence the future of democracy in Europe, and to improve young people’s understanding of the cross-cutting approach to human rights, education, culture and youth work by developing participants’ individual knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Within the framework of the conference, we aim to build a diverse and intercultural network of youth cooperation and social capital between young people and the community, as well as between public authorities. In addition, to spread the message and the vision of young people on the need to involve vulnerable groups in active political life and in building an inclusive society.
This conference is dedicated to young people, decision-makers, civil society representatives, politicians and the media to promote cooperation, dialogue and deepen participants’ awareness on key issues for youth and society in times of global change.
At the final event of the project, we will bring together up to 150 people to celebrate the results of the programme, discuss the main challenges in strengthening democracy and how the results of the European elections in 2024 will affect Europe, Estonia and its citizens. This conference is also a motivational event, so we hope that the programme will continue in the next (local) elections.
The proposed conference will be a formal platform for a constructive exchange of views and conclusions and general statements on the recently concluded European elections, the involvement of young people in democratic processes and the culture of youth participation. In addition, we will develop youth participation by contributing to debates and project development on sustainability and cultural development, as these topics are very relevant in today’s life.
On the first day of the conference, there will be presentations and panel discussions on the challenges of democracy, the impact of the European elections on young people, the role of young people in politics (given that after a change in the law, people over 16 will be able to vote in the European elections), the participation of young people and communities in the decision-making process, identifying existing challenges.
During the day there will be workshops which will also take place on the second day, to provide the necessary additional knowledge and skills on the themes chosen. During the workshops, a follow-up project and a conference message (an official youth declaration) will be developed and the results of the project will be presented (i.e. information and learning materials and a website). The special guest of the conference will be Hatem Atallah, diplomat, Tunisian Institute for Strategic Studies.
The conference schedule can be found here: https://democracy.sscw.ee/ajakava
Registration is open until 3 June 2024 online at: democracy.sscw.ee/registration.
Participation is free of charge! Participants will be provided with catering, study materials, a meaningful agenda.
The event is organised by Sillamäe Child Protection Association in cooperation with the Estonian Youth Union. The event will take place in the framework of the project “European Youth Dialogue 2022-2024″, which is implemented by the Estonian Youth Federation and funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Education and Research.” The public consultation is supported by the British Council in Estonia under the People To People Cultural Engagement programme to support social cohesion.