Conference: Time for PARTICIPATION brings together 115 participants and highlights the role of young people in the democratic process
šš» 2024. 29 May 2004 The youth participation conference organized by the youth association "Joining Youth" was held at the VEF Culture Palace in June 2016. The event gathered 115 participants from all regions of Latvia. Among them were young people, youth professionals and other interested people who wanted to get acquainted with the activities and opportunities for participation of youth organisations youth.
The conference was opened by the former President of Latvia Egils Levits (2019-2023), stressing the importance of young people's active involvement in strengthening democracy and political participation, as well as the important role of non-governmental organisations in strengthening democracy and participation. Time for participation All day long modeled by the association "Time for Youth" Chairman of the Board Gints Jankovskis.
Conference panel discussions:
The role of young people in society and their involvement in public affairs (JAUNIEV BALS) took part in the discussion:
ā Randa KÄÅe, Ministry of Education and Science Deputy Director of Policy Initiatives and Development Department in the youth field;
ā Alexander Olenikov, Latvian Youth Workers' Association a member of the Management Board;
ā ElÄ«za Elizabeth Loja, Member of the Board of the Society's Time for Young People;
ā Eva UpÄ«te, Central Election Commission the Head of the Administration;
ā Ingar Jacobson, Europeers messenger;
The discussion analysed the possibility of introducing vote in municipal and Saeima elections from the age of 16, as well as discussed involvement of young people in elections to the European Parliament, participation statistics, forms of promotion and problems. A wide-ranging discussion focused on the inclusion of non-formal education in formal education in order to promote civic education and increase participation of young people in elections.
Promoting change in communities and youth leadership in society (RENEWAL INITIATIVES)
ā Maris KuÄinskis, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia Member;
ā Elizabeth Baiba TÄ«zenkopf, EuroPeers and the Ambassador to the European Youth Dialogue;
ā James Chudar, Junior Achievement Latvia programme graduate;
ā Diana IÅ”ofe Senior Expert, International Programme Agency for Youth, European Union Programme Erasmus+;
ā Romans Giedrus Gorjunovs, Youth Saeima a messenger;
The participants shared their experience on different forms of participation of young people, such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps projects, Junior Achievement training companies, the Youth Saeima and the Academy of Leaders. Ways to promote youth initiatives and provide additional support mechanisms for non-formal learning were discussed. The question of whether young people's initiatives can be framed at all - this is so much, opportunities can be found by everyone, but we do not reach the invisible young people in the same way.
The impact of technologies on participation and participation in public life (DIGIAL PARTICIPATION) took part in the discussion:
ā Andris GrÄ«nbergs, content maker;
ā Atis KeÅÄ£is, Member of the Board of the Associations Latvian Youth Council and Adventure Spirit;
ā Aiva StanÄviÄa, Riga TechGirls member of the Management Board;
ā RenÄrs Manuilovs , Society Youth for Smile / Youth for Smile an Executive Director;
ā @Zane LegdziÅa - Joja, State Chancellery Consultant of the Public Administration Development Department on Public Participation;
During the discussion a wide range of topics were discussed on and around digital work with young people, as well as promoting participation through it. A wide-ranging debate on artificial intelligence has emerged - its current impact on young people and the threat of strengthening participation capacity. The focus was on the municipal digital projects that will be launched from 2025. In 2009, i.e. whether the Municipalities want to strengthen themselves, or buy a technique that will not bring so much added value. The issue of social networks - their risks, young people's habits and potential content creation - has been widely discussed, in order to facilitate the achievement of the target audience by conveying the necessary messages.
Reduction of barriers to young people's participation and support for the invisible young people (CHES AND INCLUSION)
ā Eddie Clasitis, OPEN Creative Centre the driver;
ā Reinis Uzulnieks , Ministry of Welfare Parliamentary Secretary;
ā Undine Maria Voino , Ambassador of the European Youth Dialogue;
ā Lelde Vaivode, Senior Project Manager of the Youth International Programme Agency;
ā Kate Condor , Society "Time for Youth"
The participants shared their experience on the development and integration of youth support programmes in society, as well as discussed the reduction of discrimination and the involvement of risk groups in social processes - the need to provide support to young people to engage in different projects, available support mechanisms and resources. Participants of the discussion shared positive experience stories about providing support to young people - mentor support, provision of essential goods and accommodation, how it can change young people's lives and provide a springboard for young people for further growth.
The conference was attended by Ilona Indriksone and Sintija AnÄeva from Preiļi region. Preiļu region application was presented to young people, which promotes young people's involvement in volunteering, attending events and pooling of resources. As well as the territorial units of the Riga Western Region of the State Probation Service 4. Head of the Division KristÄ«ne Kusteina shared her experience with young people and her cooperation with the NGO sector to offer the widest possible and more relevant place of public work for young people.
Conference on participation of ERASMUS+ participation project 2.0. Financing/Co-financed by the European Union. This publication reflects only the views and views of the author, and not necessarily the views of the European Union, the European Commission or the National Agency (Agency for Youth International Programmes), which are not responsible for any use of the information contained therein.
Youth cases Latvian Youth Council (LJP) International Youth Programme Agency