What happens if, rather than just telling a young person about getting involved, you let them try it out for themselves?

🥳 The “Laiks Jauniešiem” Association VIAA’s STEM and civic participation career guidance activities visited schools across Latvia – in towns, districts and rural areas – reaching more than 7,500 young people.

👍 During the sessions, young people in various class groups took part in practical activities, discussed and tackled tasks relating to cooperation, participation, their role in the community and society, decision-making, responsibility and bringing about change. These were not ‘sit-and-listen’ lectures – they were activities in which young people had to think, speak, reach agreements and get involved.

🤩 In total, feedback on the sessions was received from more than 160 teachers. The proportion of positive responses to the sessions was very high:

🟢 “Me, You, Us Together” – 98.4%

🟢 “Me, You, Us: We Get Involved” – 96.7%

🟢 “Me, You, Us in Our Community” – 95.5%

🟢 “Me, you, us: together we bring about change” – 95.8%

🟢 “Me, you, us in society” – 92.0%

🥰 In their feedback, teachers particularly highlight the young people’s active involvement, the opportunity to express their views, collaboration in groups and the practical approach to the lessons. As noted in one of the comments: “Pupils had the opportunity to express their views, work together in groups and listen to their classmates’ opinions.”

👉 These results send us an important message – young people need not only information, but also the chance to experience participation for themselves.

😎 Thank you to the schools, teachers and young people across Latvia for your trust. We believe that change begins the moment someone tells a young person: “Your voice matters” – and then gives them the chance to use it.

🤚 We at Laiks Jauniešiem are delighted to be ready to visit your educational institutions during the new academic year and run sessions for pupils from pre-school right through to secondary school!

State Education Development Agency, Agency for International Youth Programmes @followers @topfans Youth Matters