European Youth Parliament held their 98th International session in Tromsø last week

ProTromsø hosted along with Barents Regional Youth Council a Barents Evening for over 300 participants

Julie-Helene

Julie-Helene

European Youth Parliament have for the last week attended their 98th International session in Tromsø. 

Nearly 300 youth from over 40 countries participated in a packed program with committee work, debates, panel discussions, policy work and team-building. 

They also had several days where they learned about and engaged in local culture, as well as participating in the traditional Norwegian «dugnad».  

The conference explored the Arctic region and sustainable solutions and innovation, exchanged ideas in the name on international cooperation, and  experienced indigenous saami culture in a  centre for cultural prosperity.

By introducing young Europe to the Arctic region we hope it will foster democratic engagement, innovation, sustainability, tolerance and cooperation on the regional and European level.

The mood was set before the youth entered the party. Photo courtesy of: Ida Rishaug, Moment Norway AS

 

After the opening party held on 4th of March at the Tromsø City Hall, the youth were invited again by ProTromsø and Barents Regional Youth Council for a Barents Evening on Tromsø Camping in Tromsdalen Saturday 11th of March. 

 

This was their last evening in Tromsø and after the closing ceremony at the Arctic University of Norway, they gathered at the event to learn about the Barents co-operation. 

Barents Regional Youth Council is a multinational youth council consisting of youth representatives from the Northern regions of Norway, Russia, Finland and Sweden. BRYC was established in February 2004 to promote the interests of young people living in the Barents Region. 

Their mission is to strengthen people-to-people cooperation among youth and empower young people to be active participants of their societies. 

BRYC’s five core values are: Cooperation, tolerence, reliability, fairness and respect.

The youth council consists of 15 members from Sweden, Finland, Russia and Norway. These youths represent each of the 14 member regions of the Barents Cooperation as well as one person representing indigenous youth.

The Chair of the Barents Regional Youth Council Daria Makothina Gudnason opened the evening talking about the importance of youth gathering across borders to learn from each other and exchange their views.   

There were cultural contributions by saxophonist Ola Rokkones and artist from Pikene på Broen Evgenyi Goman. 

The music had the first group of youth already dancing in order to keep warm in the Arctic night.
ProTromsø and European Youth Parliament wish to thank all the contributors and sponsors for the events held in Tromsø. Among these are:
 

Barents Regional Youth Council, Norwegian Barents Secretariat, Sparebanken Nord-Norge and Samfunnsløftet, Troms Kraft, KSAT, Drytech, TUIL Arena, Tromsø Lodge & CampingVican and Bakehuset Nord-Norge.

 

Here you can read more about the opening party we hosted along with Tromsø Youth Council and Tromsø municipality on the 4th of March. 

From the welcome reception at Tromsø City Hall on Saturday 4th of March. 

Photo courtesy of: Marte Hotvedt, Avisa Nordlys.