In times of uncertainty and global challenges, it is important to explore new ways and technologies to connect youth from all Nordic countries through a shared virtual event that eliminates many barriers, is environmentally friendly, and accessible without significant travel costs.

We want to connect Nordic youth, providing them with valuable opportunities to engage with their peers and empower them to create their own platform for active discussions on education and well-being. Our aim is to have an annual event that the countries take turns organizing, whether it takes place in virtual reality online or, if possible, in person or through a blended approach. By creating a digital Nordic dialogue platform, where hundreds or thousands of youth from all Nordic countries can come together, converse, and have a real impact on improving education, mental health, and well-being of young people in the Nordic region.

Having this event online eliminates the need for travel between countries, positively impacting greenhouse gas emissions and saving significant travel costs..

The agenda in November will be in the form of a virtual online platform, where participants do not simply "attend" but actively and engagingly participate in the event. It is essential to ensure equal participation opportunities and activate involvement at all age and education levels. Sufficient time and flexibility must be provided to young people for organization and preparation before the event.

The agenda will be diverse, interactive, informative, and, above all, enjoyable.

The agenda emphasizes that participants can choose from various spaces, and halls where education, lectures, and conversations occur. Regular breaks are scheduled within the traditional timetable, allowing youth to chat, watch performances, engage with young artists from Nordic countries, and participate in interactive games, among other activities.

In Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2023, we want to organize a digital event/platform where young people in the Nordic countries have the opportunity to discuss education and well-being. In these times of global challenges, it is important to respond immediately and to ensure that we reach young people across all Nordic countries, we will utilize a strong Nordic cooperation network from a previous project, which involved our partners, the sister organizations of Samfés in the Nordic countries, and collaborators from the European Association of Youth Centers, along with representatives of young people from all participating countries who contribute to the planning and execution of the event.

Representatives of youth and youth councils from our partner organizations will come together in online meetings to discuss the organization and expected outcomes.

Collaborators in Iceland:

Representatives of Samfés Youth Council (13-16 years) and Samfés+ Youth Council (16-25 years) will actively participate in the project, covering the topics, organizing the agenda, and managing promotions and facilitation at the event. Through this conference, we aim to:

Strengthen and enhance Nordic cooperation

Foster networking and skills of collaborators and young people

Create a Nordic platform for dialogue and discussion among young people

Empower young people to voice their ideas, thoughts, and concerns regarding education and well-being

Engage young people in a borderless forum of participation

Establish a shared idea pool, an online platform with good practices and projects

Initiate a Nordic youth network

Launch the event as an annual forum for children and young people.

The Nordic Youth Month is a dynamic, month-long initiative designed to engage youth across the Nordic countries. Our virtual platform will be accessible Monday through Friday, with specific opening hours to be announced. This flexible schedule allows for maximum participation, accommodating the diverse needs and time commitments of our young attendees.

The Nordic Youth Summit will take place in Reykjavík, Iceland, on the 24th and 25th of November.

Weekly Themes: A Deep Dive into Topics That Matter

At Nordic Youth Month, we've carefully curated a range of topics that resonate with young people today. To make it easier to explore these subjects, we've grouped them into weekly themes. Here's a quick rundown:

Week One: Societal and Global Challenges

Dive into discussions about peace, sustainability, and environmental issues. Understand the impact of COVID-19 on youth and explore solutions.

Week Two: Rights, Participation, and Well-being

This week is all about empowering you! Topics include mental health, participation in democracy, and understanding your rights and liberties.

Week Three: Youth Identity and Culture

Explore the facets of youth culture, language, and the experiences of young people with migrant backgrounds. Address issues like prejudice and celebrate diversity.

Week Four: Education and Employment

From school challenges to job opportunities, this week covers everything you need to know about education and employment.

Each week offers a unique lens through which to explore these critical issues, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Nordic youth today.

Participants include youth from Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Faroe Islands, Åland Islands, and Greenland. The age range of participants is 13-25 years, with possible age divisions within the event. Emphasis is placed on active participation of youth involved in the work of community centers and schools in collaboration with primary and secondary schools. The estimated number of participants is 500-1500 from all Nordic countries. We leverage the experiences, results, and desires of Nordic youth from "Education for All," focusing on Goal 4.7, the Nordic Language Council, and create a platform for increased dialogue and cooperation.