SUMMARY REPORT ON EUSBSR SESSION

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1 SUMMARY REPORT ON EUSBSR SESSION BALTIC UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME Berlin 2017

2 1 AUTHORS BALTIC UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME STUDENTS Sylwester Nagórka (University of Warsaw, Poland) Mirjam Weituschat (University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz, Germany) Ali Malvern (Lund University, Sweden) WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF Magnus Lehmann (Uppsala University, Sweden) ORGANIZERS OF THE SESSION AT EUSBSR Baltic University Programme Council of the Baltic Sea States Baltic 2030 PANELLISTS Tillmann Heidelk (President of the Young European Leadership) Noura Berrouba (Member of the Governing Body of the European Youth Parliament) Kari Lie (Representative of the Baltic Sea States Sub-Regional Cooperation Youth Commission) Maria Stronska (Student Representative for the Baltic University Programme) Sylwester Nagórka (Student Representative for the Baltic University Programme) MODERATOR Mirjam Weituschat (Baltic University Programme)

2 INTRODUCTION The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is based around the macroregional strategy and its work to bring together the region.

3 2 INTRODUCTION The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is based around the macroregional strategy and its work to bring together the region. The EUSBSR was formed in 2009 with a three-fold objective; (1) to save the sea, (2) to connect the region and (3) to increase prosperity. This forum brings together individuals, officials and organisations together from across eight countries (Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland). This forum, which took place in June 2017 (13th-14th), aims to bring together the member states, non-governmental organisations, Universities, businesses and regional authorities to discuss the problems affecting the Baltic Sea Region, to communicate the work fo the strategy, to stimulate discussion, enable results and provide a networking event within the region. The theme of this year s forum was connectivity; the goal being to OPENING OF THE EU SBSR FORUM IN BERLIN strengthen contacts within the region and with the region s neighbours, as well as promoting understanding of the differing perspectives within the Baltic Sea region.

4 3 SESSION SUMMARY Giving voice to students is crucial if we want to ensure a sustainable Baltic Sea Region (BSR). The panel provided an arena for young people and experts to share their ideas and ambitions and co-create the future of our region. The panel discussion increased the youth awareness of the EUSBSR and its crossborder cooperation. It also enabled the integration of different stakeholders and subsequently promoted an increase in the coherence of future decision-making. Panelists invited to the panel discussion "Connecting the voice of the youth for a sustainable future of the Baltic Sea Region" were: Mr. Tillmann Heidelk (GER), President of the Young European Leadership (YEL) international non-profit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering young leaders and future decision-makers from Europe and beyond, founded in 2011 Ms. Noura Berrouba (SW), Member of the Governing Body of the European Youth Parliament (EYP), representative of the Swedish Youth Parliament, project coordinator of We_change 2017 (high school initiative (lectures and workshops) for sustainable development) Ms. Kari Lie (NOR), Representative of the Baltic Sea States Sub-Regional Cooperation Youth Commission Ms. Maria Stronska (UKR), Student Representative for the Baltic University Programme, Chernihiv National University of Technology, Chernihiv, Ukraine Mr. Sylwester Nagórka (PL), Student Representative for the Baltic University Programme, University of Warsaw, Poland The panel was moderated by Mirjam Weituschat, another student of the Baltic University Programme (BUP) from the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz in Germany. The organizers were Madeleine Granvik, BUP director and Olga Zuin from the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) who is part of the Baltic 2030 Unit.

4 The envisaged content of the discussion was described as follows: "Agenda 2030 and SDGs have become increasingly relevant for the EUSBSR and provide an integrated and systemic framework for

5 4 The envisaged content of the discussion was described as follows: "Agenda 2030 and SDGs have become increasingly relevant for the EUSBSR and provide an integrated and systemic framework for achieving our common macro-regional objectives. During the Annual Forum in Stockholm high level panelists expressed their plans and ambitions in relation to the SDGs, while students provided the panel with moderation and critical DURING BUP PANEL questions. This year we want to give Youth a stronger role in the discussions and in the definition of what should be accomplished in the Baltic Sea Region in order to achieve sustainability, in the context of the Baltic 2030 Action Plan. The goal of the panel is to represent the voice of youth. It aims at creating an environment where young people from diverse backgrounds can cross-pollinate ideas, share insights and showcase the leadership and initiatives taken by their peer-group in putting the region on a more sustainable path." One of the panelists, Noura Berrouba, praised the concept of the panel and said: Usually these discussions are about why do we need youth participation and not how, and what. We started off with self-introductions of each guest. There were representatives of four organizations of different levels of youth involvement, different ambitions and different possibilities of influence. The Young European Leadership (YEL) and the European Youth Parliament (EYP) mirror political processes and provide a platform for young people to exchange their ideas of a future Europe, the Baltic Sea States Sub-Regional Cooperation (BSSSC) Youth Commission takes directly part in the work of BSSSC which is a political network; and the Baltic University Programme (BUP) is an educational network of universities in the BSR that supports the key role that universities play in a peaceful, democratic and sustainable development. And yet, one thing we all have in common is that "we create active citizens", no matter of the organization's influence on policy and decision makers, the "output is the people we shape, the leaders of tomorrow, not the resolutions", Noura emphasized. From different perspectives we are all working on making the Baltic Sea Region more sustainable. One of the first issues mentioned was the seeming lack of power of youth involvement. "We teach them active engagement but when they go out in the world the institutional frameworks do not really allow their participation. Engagement is not really tailored to young peoples needs.", Noura said. The

6 5 other panelists and certainly some young people in the audience have experienced the frustration that goes along with not being able to make your voice heard. Turning the conversation towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Maria stresses that not everything starts at a big round table. We do not need laws, for example, for implementing some of the goals. I think that everything starts with ourselves. If we want to use less water or less of other resources, we can do that in our everyday lives." Furthermore, she said that "common people should be familiar with these things [the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda]. They will better understand the decisions of their government. We need to get all people involved. It all starts with our personal responsibility!". Furthermore, Kari, Tilmann and Noura reported that most young people they work with were not familiar with the SDGs. Youth organizations are working by nature on these sustainable development goals. "They are basically doing what those documents are talking about, but they are using a different language than in the UN documents.", Noura said and Kari adds that "a lot of people do it every day, they just do not realize that there is an SDG about it." Regardless of what you call them, we agreed that the SDGs definitely play a big role in all of our youth groups. In this context, Noura mentions the project BASES which she is involved with. BASES stands for Building A Strong European Society and is a project carried out by the European Youth Parliament in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office. It aims at enhancing dialogue and mutual understanding as well as broadening the cooperation among civil society in the countries of the Eastern Partnership. Here is the link to the project's website: In the next part of the discourse, Maria and Sylwester made the implementation of the SDGs a subject of discussion. During the BUP Student Spring Conference in April 2017 in Kiev, we have come up with many ideas of how to put the SDGs into practice. Referring to SDG 13 (Climate Action), one of the things we suggested is to encourage local energy production so that households can be prosumers (producer and consumer at the same time) and therefore be more independent. With regard to SDG 14 (Life below water) many of us were wondering if the initiative 'The Ocean Cleanup' could also be applied to our (Baltic) sea, since there are still chemical weapons from WWII at the bottom and tons of plastic trash floating on top. For SDG 3 (Good health and well-being) we would like to see increased taxes on unhealthy products and the promotion of healthy food on the market. In addition, we think that more free public activities (sport, recreation,...) should be offered and promoted by the municipalities. For the same purpose, it would be beneficial if more physical activities were included in institutions such as school or at one's work place, where people can choose what kind of activity they want to pursue. Regarding SDG 4 (Quality education) we strongly campaign for the right to vote at age 16 for various reasons that will be discussed later on. In order to create more international

6 dialogue, more teacher and student exchanges should be offered between countries of the Baltic Sea Region. There is much we can learn from each other.

7 6 dialogue, more teacher and student exchanges should be offered between countries of the Baltic Sea Region. There is much we can learn from each other. In addition, the SDGs should be included in the curriculums so that students are familiar with their content and the direction the international society is going. Last but not least SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy) was addressed. On the way to its implementation, we believe that it is necessary to raise taxes for non-recyclable products and packaging and therefore incite the industry to use and produce recyclable goods. Not only regarding food and waste, but in every field we would like to impose taxes on harmful things and reward beneficial actions and products. The first question of the audience broached the issue of the power of youth organizations. "How do you transmit all your interesting work to the people who take influence (policy makers, industry) in the end?" The Young European Leadership (YEL) conducts a young G20 summit and keeps contact with politicians on European level through personal meetings and position papers. Tilmann DURING BUP PANEL said: "It's no huge, but at least some influence." The European Youth Parliament (EYP) sends the results and resolutions they have reached to municipalities, representatives of the industry, politicians at EU level and other kinds of decision makers. However, "it is very difficult to channel all participants' ideas and convey them", Noura said. In Kari's case communication is a little less difficult because members of CBSS are decision makers in their respective countries. The Baltic University Programme (BUP) cooperates with the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBS) with the effect that the results of our conference mentioned above were taken into account in the Baltic 2030 Action Plan. Nonetheless, we all agreed that change does not happen overnight and that we have no choice but to be patient for our participation to be fruitful. Another important issue of the discussion began with the question how our youth groups connect to business. Some organizations invite business representatives to hear their perspective. Most of them also reach out to the private and small enterprise sector and ask for support in form of scholarships and exchange. Noura told us about a project called WE_change 2017 which is funded by local companies, public funding or local partnerships. Project members works closely with their partners who organize workshops. IKEA, for example, has asked for young peoples' ideas how to make IKEA more sustainable.

8 7 The next question addressed the call for the right to vote at age 16. Certainly, many organizations work on this issue. Noura told us about municipalities that have tried this approach for one election on the terms that if the majority of youngsters exercise the right, they will keep this right, otherwise it is taken away again. We found this a quite weird approach because usually no one would ever dare take someone's right to vote away because he/she did not go to the polls. Nevertheless, the vote at 16 would be an incentive for politicians to shape policies (also) for young people because young people would become a political target group and a political stakeholder. In addition, we believe that it is favorable to make young people reflect political issues as early as possible and encourage them to become active themselves. For their -and also our- long-lasting motivation to do so there has to be the possibility to make (young) voices heard and to be able to make a difference. BUP PANEL S PANELISTS AND MODERATOR FROM LEFT: SYLWESTER NAGÓRKA, MARIA STRONSKA, MIRJAM WEITUSCHAT, KARI LIE, NOURA DERROUBA AND TILMANN HEIDELK One listener wanted to know our opinion towards the necessity of a Baltic Youth Council or Forum. She had heard many pros and cons from young people about this topic. The consensus of our discussion was that there is no need because there are already enough platforms to participate. Additionally, we disapproved of the idea of creating a separate council instead of including young people in existing structures. The problem with separate structures is that the 'professional adults' view the youth as inexperienced and therefore think less of their opinion, avoiding the opportunity for both groups to meet and discuss and prove their worth. This totally defeats the purpose because it strongly decreases the influence of these youth councils. Another listener said he would welcome a more practical approach that manages to include young people in real structures. On the whole, we can conclude that all of our youth organizations have more or less the same problem: How to make our voices heard? Taking part in such a forum and panel is one way. Let's hope that it had some effect!

9 8 STUDENTS REFLECTIONS Once again, the Forum for the EUSBSR was a very good opportunity to meet people and exchange ideas and approaches. It is highly interesting not only to find out about other (youth) organizations and their engagement, but also to hear representatives of the governments, of non-governmental organizations and of the industry talk. Unfortunately, I missed some very interesting panels due to the extra time we needed for the preparation of our own panel. It would have also been nice if there had been longer breaks in between the panels in order to give people time to breathe and process what they have just heard. Our panel was quite successful and an inspiring discussion. Some people in the audience seemed really interested in the panelists' opinion towards different topics. The discussion did not exactly go into the direction that we planned it to go and this might be why the two BUP panelists felt a little lost from time to time. In addition, I am very satisfied that the discussion went on after the official end of the panel because that means that the topic is (considered) relevant. I very much appreciated that there were so many young people at the forum in Berlin. The BUP should definitely stay a part of that. BUP students should be given the opportunity to meet and exchange thoughts with other (young) people. I strongly believe that if dedicated young people know that their voices matter, they will put more effort in their work. It would be nice to participate in the Youth Forum that took place one day before the Annual Forum next year. Also, it would be helpful to dedicate some work time the day before the forum in order to get the preparation done in time and make everybody contribute something. Maybe a research task beforehand would result into students being more prepared. We could have also gone to a museum or some other exhibition together or visited a local initiative or something like that. All in all the forum was once again a worthwhile experience and to organize a panel ourselves an exciting challenge we mastered quite well. I am very grateful for the chance to be part of that. Mirjam Weituschat (University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Goerlitz, Germany)

10 9 Although I have very good Impressions about the Forum, I cannot say the same about our panel. First of all, it turned out that the subject of the panel was too general and our panelists from BUP were overwhelmed by three other panelists who were much more experienced and could talk about that general subject for a very long time. Also because of that subject, the rest of the students from BUP who were at the audience couldn't say much about it. First of all, another BUP participation in the SBR Forum should be discussed more with students (perhaps with students' representative) and I would see it more as a panel for young scientists from the Baltic Sea Region that are sharing their ideas and innovations with business and public sector. Also - it should be said more about that Forum at the students' conference so that everyone could really get an idea what is this Forum about and maybe thanks to that, students would have more ideas for organizing it. Sylwester Nagórka (University of Warsaw, Poland) I felt that the youth panel was very well received by those in the audience, with many interesting ideas and topics being brought into the discussion. While the inclusion of many experts in the panel enabled strong discussions, I felt at times there was insufficient time to facilitate more audience engagement, especially from the remaining BUP members not sitting on the panel. As such, I would have allocated an extra half an hour to this discussion or enabled a second youth panel to take place to enable further discussions. More importantly I think it is imperative that youth panels are not the only integration of youth ideas, rather that youth representatives should be included on most, if not all, panels as a means to better encourage the non-youth to respect and understand the importance of this demographic. More generally I felt the forum did an excellent job in bringing together organisations, Universities and businesses from across the region, and provided a great opportunity for the youth particularly to gain important insight in to the challenges and cooperation within the region. I found it inspiring and affirming to be a part of the forum; giving me encouragement for the future of this region and for not only my career following my Master s degree, but also reassurance that work is taking place to improve the region as a direct result of this strategy. I was grateful for the opportunity to meet again with colleagues from the Baltic Universities Programme following an initial event in Kiev, Ukraine and enable discussions among fellow students. However, I would have valued more opportunity to network with other participants, while there was a networking event, I feel it would have been beneficial to facilitate more networking perhaps during event breaks or to have a stand on the BUP to force the BUP representatives to engage as I felt we were overlooked outside of our panel. Inevitably I missed a lot of the relevant talks owing to the busy schedule, but what I did manage to attend was of value. Ali Malvern (Lund University, Sweden)

11 10 CONCLUSIONS Overall, the BUP involvement with the EUSBSR forum was invaluable. A lot was learnt and better understood as a direct result of the inclusion of BUP students within the Forum, and moreover the opportunity to present and host a panel enabled personal development and learning, as well as provoking important discussions to some extent within the broader group of participants. Although the youth panel was a success, it felt a shame there was not more opportunity for discussion among the participants and presenters of the panel. Despite this, two important outcomes arose from the discussions. Notably how youth involvement is encouraged but often falls short owing to the current legislative environment, one which continues to segregate the voice of youth from mainstream BUP TEAM AT EUSBR IN BERLIN. FROM LEFT: MAGNUS LEHMANN (BUP, SWEDEN), ALI MALVERN (SWEDEN), ANASTASIIA STARENKA (UKRAINE), IVAN SUPRUN (UKRAINE), MATEJ SMETÁK (SLOVAKIA), MIRJAM WEITUSCHAT (GERMANY), JONAS PRAUSCHKE (GERMANY), MARIA STRONSKA (UKRAINE) AND FERDINAND ZINNER (GERMANY). discussions, and secondly how the focus needs to be shifted to include actions and change at the local and individual level, rather than prioritizing and seeking rapid, high-level change among the broader population and institutions. Going forward it is important the BUP continues to be involved with this event, promoting region-wide understanding and engagement, which is all-toooften overlooked by many institutions. It is also imperative the youth maintain a role within this event. Without the youth panel presented by the BUP representatives, this event would have simply been an event hosted by experts in more of a lecturing manner, whereas including panel discussions, particularly hosted by the youth, forces those attending to acknowledge and consider the views and importance of this demographic as the future of this region. We would encourage the BUP and the EUSBSR organisers to include youth panels each year, and where possible include youth members on more panels to encourage debate rather than present the opinions of one generation to another.

12 BUP TEAM AT EUSBR IN BERLIN. FROM LEFT: MAGNUS LEHMANN (BUP, SWEDEN), ALI MALVERN (SWEDEN), SYLWESTER NAGÓRKA (POLAND), IVAN SUPRUN (UKRAINE), MATEJ SMETÁK (SLOVAKIA), MIRJAM WEITUSCHAT (GERMANY), JONAS PRAUSCHKE (GERMANY), MARIA STRONSKA (UKRAINE) AND FERDINAND ZINNER (GERMANY). 11

MFA. Strategy for the Swedish Institute s activities concerning cooperation in the Baltic Sea region for the period

MFA. Strategy for the Swedish Institute s activities concerning cooperation in the Baltic Sea region for the period Strategy for the Swedish Institute s activities concerning cooperation in the Baltic Sea region for the period 2016 2020 MFA MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SWEDEN UTRIKESDEPARTEMENTET 103 39 Stockholm Telephone: