Youth Conference “Towards a fair green and digital transition through youth skills development”
1-2nd December 2023, Tallinn, Hestia Hotel Europa at 10.00 am
The aim of the conference is to broaden and strengthen cooperation and dialogue between the education and youth sectors, developing individual knowledge, skills and attitudes linked to the green and digital transition of participants, and building a diverse network of communication and social capital between young people and the community, but also with public authorities. The planned conference will be a formal platform for a constructive exchange of ideas, as well as for conclusions and general statements. The conference will also contribute to a wider dissemination of the project’s overall ideas and objectives in society.
The conference is open to young people aged 14-26 years, professionals in the field of education and who are interested in sharing their experiences, knowledge in green and digital transformation and intercultural communication and in supporting networking and cooperation, i.e. bringing international experience and disseminating the Estonian experience abroad (to Mediterranean and Nordic regions), in addition to youth organisations, leaders of educational institutions, academics, researchers, legislators, planners and policy makers in all relevant fields, representatives of ministries or departments, etc. The conference will also provide a platform for the dissemination of the project’s results to the general public, as well as to the general public. Up to 100 people are expected in total.
Conference themes:
– Promoting a green and circular economy among communities and young people.
– Taking the circular economy, urban development and innovation to the next level.
– The role of civil society organisations and young people in addressing the green transition and sustainable development.
– How the digital transition affects society, including youth, community and state.
– How the digital transition is reorienting young people to rethink their life skills and occupation.
– Enabling the digital transition through in-service training for professionals and available digital learning tools and materials.
The conference will consist of three chapters: keynote speeches and two thematic panel discussions (on the green and digital transition and their impact); youth discussions on the green and digital transition specifications and themes related strategic documents. The conference will result in a set of proposals from young people on the renewal of national and local strategic documents and formulate own vision.
Through the conference we will better understand how young people and civil society can support the green and digital turnaround in an escalated situation and cope/map opportunities for cooperation at both local and national level to cope and help others in the future with the same worthy challenges in their own communities.
Practical information:
– Official working language of the conference: English and Estonian.
– Participants will be provided with catering and materials.
– Transport costs are not covered by the organiser.
NB!!! Registration is open until 28 November 2023 at: https://conference.sscw.ee/registration
The conference is supported by: Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, Tallinn Urban Environment and Public Works Department and Tallinn city Civic Peace Programme.
AGENDA
“Towards a fair green and digital transition through youth skills development”
1-2.12.2023, Tallinn, Hestia Hotel Europa (Paadi 5), at 10.00 a.m.
Friday, 1st December 2023 Conference Day
Conference moderator and special guest: Amb. Ambassador Hatem Atallah, Ambassador, Special guest
10.00-10.15 Opening word and keynote speeches by guests from Estonia and abroad.
– Ursula Roosmaa, Director of British Council in Estonia
– Kaarel Taimla, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Estonian Youth Council
10.15-11.00 Three keynote speeches:
The aim is to introduce the youth perspective and key issues to all participants and to further explain the continued relevance and need for these issues.
– “Green reform way forward” Eili Lepik, Head of Green Reform Department, Ministry of Climate
– “Digital transition impact on the state and youth life” Pilleriin Lillemets, Head of Digital Strategy in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
– “Green and digital transition in the Euromed region: challenges and realities”, Amb. Ambassador Hatem Atallah, Ambassador, Special guest
11.00 – 12.30 Green transition panel discussion “Green transition as a growth engine and a new way of life“.
These panel discussions will bring together representatives from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds to highlight the need for diversity of opinion and to value openness to other ideas in order to meet common objectives. Discussions will take place on different topics based on the themes of the conference, to introduce them to new skills and knowledge, with final collaborative outcomes.
– “Youth voice in climate change and green transition questions: mapping obstacles and opportunities for an inclusive society” – Rudolf Kasper Naruski, EU Youth Delegate
– “Gaining green skills and networking civil society, government and businesses: to take the circular economy, urban development and innovation to the next level” – Mayri Tiido, Founder and CEO of Lowmerism.
– “Promoting social transformation by investing in environmental protection, youth education and climate change mitigation” – Kaidi Tamm, Senior Expert, Sustainable Development Programme, Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre.
– “The role of young people and civil society organisations in fighting greening and sustainable development” – Maris Pedaja, Advocacy Expert, Estonian Green Movement
– “How do we know what is cool when it comes to sustainable development and green transition?” – Sandra Jaanika, Fridays For Future Estonia
– “Embracing of 5Rs Sustainability Framework for driving sustainable change and living” – Laura Rajala, Green Habito Network (Finland)
12.30 – 13.00 Discussions (roundtable tables format)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.15 Digital transformation panel discussion “Digital transformation today and tomorrow: investing in young people’s knowledge, skills and applications (App) to develop new technological solutions and foster sustainable development” – Digitalisation is changing society and requires new digital competences that many children and teenagers do not currently possess. This could have a negative impact on their educational, information and social inclusion and well-being.
– “How the digital transition will affect society, including young people and youth work” – Kati Nõlvak, enthusiast and expert on youth, digital youth work and local government (online)
– “The digital revolution and lifelong learning: important changes and life lessons for young people” –
Merja Lina M. Bauters Research Professor in Digital Transformation, Tallinn University (online)
– “Empowering digital transition through in-service training for young people, youth professionals (youth workers & educator), accessible services and digital learning tools and materials” – Roger Tibar, Project manager in the project “Digital leap in the field of youth” of Education and Youth Board of Estonia
– “21st Century competencies: Challenges in digital education and young peoples vision on created environment and tools” – German Morris, Ehte Gymnasium student, PCE youth representative.
– “Digital life online: security concerns and rights of young people” – Catlyn Kirna, Tallinn University Lecturer and CGI Estonia cyber security consultant
15.15- 15.30 Coffee time
15.30-16.30 Four working groups to discuss the four main themes of the Youth Conference and gather input for recommendations and proposals.
– Young people’s views and opinions on the green and digital agenda in national strategic and policy documents.
– Young people’s views on sustainable development and the successes and obstacles to green urban spaces.
– Skills, competences and participation: digital citizenship of young people.
– Promoting the green and digital transition through non-formal education for young people.
15.30-16.30 Two workshop for selection (is designed for young people and civil society representatives who find it difficult to work in working groups):
Workshop “Energy transition through citizens” – Ingrid Nielsen, Estonian Fund for Nature, renewable energy expert
Workshop “People-to-people diplomacy and intercultural dialogue” – H.E. Hatem Atallah, Ambassador
16.30-16.45 Presentation of the results of the workshops.
16.45-17.00 Special guest Amb. Hatem Atallah concluding speech on conference working day
Saturday, 2nd December 2023 Conference and round table results presentation and summary
10.00– 11.00 Presentation of the roundtable discussion (Proposals for policy makers on green and digital transition, circular economy and reducing overconsumption, empowerment of Young people and CSOs capacity in tackling green transition and sustainable development).
12.00 – 13.00 Presentation of the conference results (Presenting young people view on strategic documents and its interrelation with green and digital transitions)
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.00 Follow up activities, Call for local community projects 2023, Presentation of Tallinn Green Capital Year results” and Summary / end of the conference.
15.00 – 18.00 Sustainable Youth network meeting in Hestia Hotel Europa.
