2022 is the European Year of Youth, shining a light on the importance of European youth to build a better future – greener, more inclusive, and digital.
With plenty of opportunities to learn, share your vision, meet people, and engage in activities all over Europe, the European Year of Youth is the moment to move forward with confidence and hope in a post-pandemic perspective.
At the Interreg NPA we embrace this EU wide initiative with an annual event focused on young people’s ideas and visions for a more prosperous and attractive Northern Periphery and Arctic.
The YOUTH IN THE NPA conference will be an opportunity to:
- get to know the Interreg NPA and its funding opportunities;
- listen what life is like as a young person in the Northern periphery, and what are their wishes for the future;
- discuss what opportunities the Green Transition has brought to the Arctic and near-Arctic regions;
- design a more digital, greener, and inclusive NPA region following the steps of the Utopian workshop;
- explore the benefits of inclusive decisions-making processes when municipalities cooperate with young people.
Travelling across the NPA area may be challenging and lengthy. For those who cannot attend the conference in person, the Nordland County Council will broadcast parts of the event LIVE. The link to watch the event and more information will be announced closer to the date.
The Interreg NPA programme is delighted to invite all, young and not-so-young, to join this conference and actively contribute to making the NPA an even better place to live!
Registration is OPEN until 14th October 2022. Find the registration form here.
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
8th November 2022, Rådhus, Bodø
19:00 - 20:00 Evening reception
9th November 2022, Ramsalt Hotel, Bodø
9:00 - 9:15 Welcome adress
- Ms Kari Anne Bøkestad Andreassen, Mayor of Nordland County
- Ms Biliana Sirakova, EU Youth Coordinator, European Commission (participates online)
9:15 - 9:45 What is Interreg NPA and how can young people benefit from the Programme
A short presentation about the Interreg NPA programme and its funding opportunities for young people
9:45 - 10:45 Life in Europe´s peripheral areas
Young people share their experience of living in remote areas and vision of prosperous and attractive communities in the future.
- Mr Nils Ánda Baer, young Saami reindeer herder, Sweden
- Ms Birita Petersen, Faroese National Union of Students, Faroe Islands
- Ms Aisling Maloney, Student Activist, Ireland
- other speaker tbc
10:45 - 11:15 Coffee break
11:15 - 12:15 The Green Shift, turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities
Green transition brings new opportunities to remote areas in the Arctic and near-Arctic regions. How can small communities harness the opportunities arising from large-scale industries and build a sustainable future? What do young people have to say about future developments?
Opening remarks:
Ms Kjersti Bjørnstad, State Secretary at Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, Norway
Panel discussion:
- Ms Linda Haukeland, County Councilor for Planning and Industry in Nordland County Council, Norway
- Ms Eimear Manning, Youth & Climate Justice Development Officer, National Youth Council of Ireland
- other speakers tbc
12:15 - 13:15 Lunch
13:15 - 15:00 Future NPA - Utopian workshop
- Prof Ove Jacobsen, Norway, guiding the participants in designing concrete steps how to move from vision to action
15:00 - 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 - 16:30 Youth Friendly municipalities, from dream to reality
Examples of how municipalities and regions cooperate with young people, and what are the benefits of inclusive decisions-making processes.
- Mr Vegard Sem, Leader of Trondelag Youth Council, Norway
- Mr Adam Ulvang, Vefsn Municipality, Norway
- Ms Aviaaja Helene Barlach Pregaard, Project Manager at UNICEF Greenland
- Ms Ísabella Sól Ingvarsdóttir, representative of Akureyri Youth Council, Iceland
16:30 - 17:00 Closing remarks
Accommodation in Bodø
A contingent of rooms has been pre-booked at the conference venue. An early bird rate is available for guests who book their accommodation before 8th October. Please register to the event to receive necessary hotel booking instructions.
Please, contact the Secretariat if you have any questions about the conference.
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