Civil society ideas for the sustainable future of Europe 2022

“Civil Society Ideas for the sustainable and secure Future of Europe”

in frame of the project: “A green, socially sustainable and digitally integrated Nordic-Baltic Region 2021-2022”

It is a 4 full-day conference and first annual meeting, that bringing together a unique Nordic-Baltic and European members of civil society organizations network to discuss the role of civil society in achieving global sustainable development goals, raising awareness of 4 key issues, promoting peace, good practice and innovative methodologies and existing solutions, and solidarity with European civil society, democracy and democracy, peace support.  In particular, pay attention to the European community to end the Russian – Ukrainian conflict and resolve it through diplomacy. We will identify the main obstacles we face to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in an increasingly digital society, rising unemployment and a divided society, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused the global crisis. We will focus on promoting international dialogue in reconciling societies with their environment and closing the divide that divides them. During the event, participants will listen to inspiring keynote speakers; share their opinions, and knowledge and gain new experiences by meeting with organizations / young people/colleagues from different NGOs, and the companies, governmental and non-governmental organizations and international funds, etc. The program is run by a competent Nordic-Baltic team and international experts/speakers involved. THE PROGRAMME

The programme will consist of plenary lectures and speeches, panel discussions, workshops, study visits, a round table and World Café discussions involving all participants. Participants will be expected to share their experiences – and emphasise to younger participants their perspectives on the ‘art of the possible.’ They will also be expected to deliver targets and action ideas for implementation at local, national and international levels.  The focus will be to contribute effectively to the UN’s SDG goals – and get educational and political institutions, communities and individuals involved back in their home countries.

The Conference topics will cover:

• Climate change and environmental protection: halting global warming by investing in a green revolution. (energy and waste circular economy)
• Combating cognitive warfare: awareness and resilience of civil society
• Conflict resolution in Europe: what is the role of civil society?
• Resolving Europe’s conflicts for a more peaceful and sustainable world through UN Security Council Resolution 2250 “Youth, Peace and Security”.

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

• Representatives of Nordic-Baltic network members / interested parties / EU and national officials / international organizations and businesses, specialists in the field of UN Sustainable Development Goals (researchers), representatives of public order, development policy or other relevant fields. • Associated with or responsible for the current or planned work of its organization in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and/or promoting peace • Able to communicate in English • Possibility to participate in the whole 3-day event

THE VENUE

Narva is a border town with Russia, which has historically been under both Swedish and Russian rule.  Narva, which is over 95% Russian-speaking, is the third-largest town in Estonia. Narva is also one of the easternmost points of the current European Union map.

The venue of the conference is mainly Vaba Lava Theatre Centre in Narva. Vaba Lava (in English: free stage) is a popular place in the former military factory complex Baltiets that provide performing space for local theatre companies, and will also provide an opportunity to present guest performances by both Estonian repertoire theatres and independent companies as well as theatre and dance companies from Russia, Western Europe and Nordic countries. The new space will be also used for festivals, concerts, seminars, workshops, master classes etc. NB! Second and third working day venue will be at the conference centre of Meresuu Spa Hotel.

ACCOMMODATION

All the delegates are accommodated in two hotels in east Estonia: Narva Hotel and Meresuu Spa Hotel. The conference fee consists of accommodation in shared rooms, food, local transport and a cultural programme. Private rooms are available on request for an additional fee.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES

The working language is English.

COVID-19

This Conference is designed as a hybrid event with most participants attending live but some, from Covid-19, constrained countries, joining virtually.

REGISTRATION

The delegates are invited to participate in European Annual Conference by submitting their applications.

If your application has been accepted, we request each delegate to confirm their participation in2 days by sending a letter to info@ssw.ee  or by phone +358 404145844 / +37253267778

PARTICIPATION FEES

NB! For Nordic and Baltic country representatives there are no participation fee, as their participation is secured in frame of the project “A green, socially sustainable and digitally integrated Nordic-Baltic Region 2021-2022”.

Also there is no participation fee for local young participants (age 16-26 years) until the quite will be filled out,

For all other foreign adults and organisation representatives’ participation fee is 150 EUR The participation fee for local participants (Estonians) is 60 EUR

The fee is to be paid onto the following bank account: Account holder: Sillamae Lastekaitse Uhing IBAN account: EE861010552012406004 SEB Bank Amount: in accordance with your status (young person/adult or organisation representative) Explanation: Name and Family name – Country – Conference 2022

If the payment has not been received within 5 working days after registration, then the registration is voided.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

The international Conference “Civil Society Ideas for the sustainable and secure Future of Europe” programme will consist of plenary lectures and speeches, panel discussions, workshops, study visits, a round table and World Café discussions involving all participants. Participants will be expected to share their experiences – and emphasise to younger participants their perspectives on the ‘art of the possible.’ They will also be expected to deliver targets and action ideas for implementation at local, national and international levels.  The focus will be to contribute effectively to the UN’s SDG goals – and get educational and political institutions,  communities and individuals involved back in their home countries.

Keywords: Nordic-Baltic civil society, youth, peace, European security, UN sustainable development goals, conflicts, diplomacy intercultural dialogue, CSOs appeal, green transition, climate change, circular economy, digital security and propaganda.

Hashtags:  #NordicBalticSDG, #NordicSDG #NordicBalticCSOs  #CSOideas #Sustainablefuture

Sunday, 1^st May, Arrival day in Tallinn, Estonia

Arrival in Tallinn, Registration & departure to Narva / Narva-Jõesuu.

20.00 -21.30 – Dinner at the hotels at

Monday 2^nd May, Conference day I, Venue: Narva, Vaba Lava Theatre Centre

09.00 – 10.00 Registration and coffee

10.00 – 10.30 Opening Speeches:

• Jane Õispuu, (Head of Political Team, European Commission Representation in Estonia)
• Christer Haglund, Director of Nordic Council of Ministers´ Office in Estonia

10.30 – 11.30 Keynote speakers:

• Barbi Pilvre-Storgard, Associate Professor of Journalism. Baltic Institute of Film, Media and Arts (Estonia) – “Fake, disinformation, propaganda”
• Jenni Kaupila, Advocacy officer of UNA Finland – “How does the implementation of the 2030 Agenda show in Finland?”
• Kadri Piho, Project manager @Cleantech Estonia “Fair Green transition of Ida-Virumaa region: New opportunities”
• Ivo Krustok, Estonian State Chancellery (virtually) – “Green transition in Estonia”

11.30 – 13.00 1^st Panel discussion with Invited guests and participation of public *

Media control and Digital security: Countering cognitive warfare: awareness and resilience of civil society

Moderator:  Vassili Golikov, Political scientist

Experts: 

• Adel AlBaghdadi, Head of WE organization (Netherlands)
• Michael G. Kavuklis, President of the House of Europe in Rhodes (Greece)
• Janne Rajala, Senior Cloud Architect at Onrego Oy (Finland)
• Ursula Roosmaa, Director of British Council Estonia (Estonia)
• Nicklas Sunny Tandrup, Copenhagen Business Academy (Denmark) Reflection by Gunta Viksne (Latvia)

13.00 – 14.00 Lunch

14.00 – 15.30 2^nd Panel discussion with Invited guests and participation of public *

Climate Change: Halting and reversing global warming by investing in green evolution: energy security and waste circular economy

Moderator: Ms. Anneli Ohvril, Let`s Do it World Foundation (Estonia) Experts:

• Laura Maria Rajala coordinator of Fimigrant RY (Finland)
• Rainer Pesti, Rang Selts Company (Estonia)
• Oksana Skaldina,  University of Eastern Finland (Finland)
• Youth Voices: Nikita Strekalov & Daina Arfanova (Estonia) and Yossof Rastmo (Lithunia) Reflection by Oskars Mucenieks (Latvia)

15.30 – 15.45 Coffee-Time

15.45 – 17.00 Discussions in three working groups:

• “Critical thinking, Social media, mind control and warfare – how to think rational?”
•  “Green growth and waste management”
• “European Civil Society appeal to Russian civil society and government to end the war in Ukraine”

17.30 – 18.00 Conference day I concluding remarks (Amb. Hatem Atallah, moderator)

19.00 – 21.00 Official Dinner

Tuesday, 3^rd May, 2022, Conference day II, Venue: Meresuu Spa & Hotel, Conference Centre

10.00 – 11.00 Keynote speakers:

• PhD Mette Brogden, Professor, Tuscan Arizona University (USA) “Connecting environmental sustainability and Human rights: Deep Migration solutions”
• PhD Eleftheria Ftaklaki, Political scientist, Researcher at the Aegean university (Greece) “The Role of United Nations in elimination of regional conflicts in example of the Security Council Resolution 2250 “Youth, Peace and Security”
• Nikolai Tsvyatkov, Deputy chief at State Chancellery’ Bureau for reintegration politics (Moldova) “Civil society input in ensuring Peace and Security in example of Transnistria case”

11.00 – 12.15 3^rd Panel discussion with Invited guests and participation of public *

Conflict resolution in Europe: what is the role of governmental institutions, civil society and intercultural dialogue in tackling conflicts? 

Moderator: Michael Kavuklis, President of the House of Europe in Rhodes Experts:

• Stefanos Vallianatos , Co-Founder of Fotoessa (Greece)
• Amb Hatem Atallah, EMUNI University (Slovenia)
• Vassili Golikov, SSCW (Estonia)
• Nikolai Tsvyatkov, State Chancellery of Moldova
• Reflection by Alejandra Belci Cordero Hansen (Denmark)

12.15 – 13.00 Lunch

13.00 – 14.00 4^th Panel discussion with Invited guests and participation of public *

Peace and Security: Resolving Europe’s conflicts for a more peaceful and sustainable world through UN Security Council Resolution 2250 “Youth, Peace and Security”.

Moderator:  Anna Liza Starkova, Lund University (Sweden)

Experts:

• Ivan Vasilevskikh, Copenhagen Business Academy/ Young activist (Denmark)
• Mercedes Valladares, representative of Madrid City Hall (Spain)
• Yossof Rastmo, representative of Youth Centre Babilonas (Lithuania)
• Oskars Mucenieks, Shelter Safe House representative (Latvia)
• Anastasia Psallida, UNESCO Chair for Intercultural Policy, researcher at University of Macedonia  (Greece)
• Reflection by Anastasia Bakote (Finland) and Eglė Špokaitė (Lithuania)

14.00 – 15.30 Discussions in Working groups:

• I Group: Where is the end of Russian-Ukrainian conflict?”
• II Group: development of proposal for policy-makers on more involvement of CSOs into achieving SDG on climate change
• III Group: development of joint initiatives / project plans between NGOs and other actors (in social media and media literacy)

15.30 – 16.00 Presentation of working groups conclusions.

16.30 – 19.00 Study Visits and Networking (list of organisation to be confirmed)

19.00 – 20.00 Dinner and Free evening.

Wednesday, 4^th May 2022 Conference results presentation and summary

10.00 – 11.00 Regional partnership initiative for achievement of UN SDGs (North, South, East and West) by CSOs

11.30 – 12.00 Presentation of the European Network “Green Habito” appeal for Russian people to end the war and resolve it through diplomacy and also presentation of civil society proposals for policy makers on SDGs. 12.00 – 12.30 Follow up activities, Call for Annual Conference 2023 and summary of the conference.

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch 13.30 Departure in airport by 16.00 pm In Tallinn will be a separate meeting of the network board in Tallink Spa Hotell.

*The Organizer reserves the right to amend any part of the Event format, agenda or programme if necessary at any time.

For more info visit: www.unsdg.ee/conference-narva/  or www.fimigrant.info/confernece

Contact information and any technical or content question please turn to: Laura Nieminen (conference@fimigrant.info) or to head coordinator: Vassili Golikov, (vassili@sscw.ee)

The conference is supported by National Foundation of Civil Society and by Nordic Council Of Ministers’ Support Program for Non-Governmental Organisations Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic Countries in frame of the project: “A green, socially sustainable and digitally integrated Nordic-Baltic Region 2021-2022”.