Kokkola is a town on the west coast of Finland and the capital of the province of Keski-Pohjanmaa. From 20 to 31 July, committed young people from three European countries met here to spend twelve days exchanging ideas, planning and learning from each other.
The participants, who are aged between 17 and 21, have already been working on local issues as part of Generation Europe – The Academy at home. Now, they presented their latest projects to each other: The German group has developed a cookery book that shows how young people can prepare healthy and inexpensive meals and a podcast discussing the need of life practices as a school subject. The Italian group is producing a podcast to connect younger and older people, while the Finnish group has focussed on mental health, as well as industrial hemp and veganism. Here you can read their report about this thrilling and intensive youth encounter:
We are Partnership 4, consisting of participants from Germany (Werkstatt Berufskolleg im Kreis Unna), Italy (Esplora) and Finland (Oulun Nuoret Kotkat Piirijärjestö ry). Young people from these three different parts of Europe have now come together in Kokkola, Finland to strengthen and create intercultural connections and discuss topics related to active citizenship and society. For example, we have engaged in discussions about democracy and sustainability. This all happens while not forgetting to get to know different cultures, form intercultural connections and have fun by organizing activities such as talent shows or games.
How did the participants get into the projects and why did they want to join?
Iara, 19, from Spain, found out about the project when her brother mentioned a Facebook posting about Generation Europe – The Academy. He has been part of a similar project himself. Then everything happened very quickly: Iara called the Italian organization asking if she could join on Friday and came to Decorata, Italy the next Monday. Iara decided to take part in the project to practice her English skills. She was also looking forward to meeting and getting to know new people. For her, the project has also helped her to improve her social skills and to learn to express her opinions. She thinks she has learned to listen to people closely and understand others. It has been important for her to understand that people have different realities and opinions on things.
Zahra, 20, from Finland, saw an announcement of the project on Instagram and decided to fill in the contact form. After a while, she got a text asking if she wanted to join. After the first video meeting with her local group, she started to feel more and more excited. Zahra wanted to join especially to broaden her knowledge of different cultures. Reviewing the last youth encounter, she feels that the project has really given her lots of skills to communicate with other people and to think about many matters on a deeper level. She says: Generation Europe – The Academy has gotten her to realise why people and things work the way they do.
Intercultural Evenings
Perhaps one of the most liked activities during this years’ youth encounter are the intercultural evenings. So far, we’ve had the chance to get to know the Finnish food culture by enjoying delicacies such as vegetable soup, celery steak and mämmi, a baked malt pudding that is eaten cold. The participants also got to try the traditional Finnish yard game Mölkky.
On the evening organised by the German group, the youngsters got to taste several dishes from Germany and Afghanistan, according to the diverse backgrounds of the group: German potato and pasta salads, meatballs (vegan and with meat), a Fanta cake, vegan Borani Badinjan and vegan Ayran. They also got to take part in a quiz about culture in Germany.
At the last intercultural evening, the Italians were taking their turn to impress the others with proper pasta. According to Daniele, 17, from Italy, the preparations for the evening have gone well, even though they have kept the team very busy. The Italian youngsters took clear roles in decorating tables, planning the programme amd cooking some amazing food for the whole group.
The Italians were sure it would not rain. But as it is Finland we’re talking about, half an hour before the event the sky tore and rain started pouring. But anyway, Daniele thinks that the cuisine (with some antipasti, polenta, pasta broccoli, pasta with bacon and other delicacies from different regions of Italy), would amaze the others. He also believes that the team will take part in cheerful conversations and immerse themselves in Italian culture.
And he was right: Sohaila, 19, from Germany, thinks the food is amazing and delicious, especially the pasta. She also tells that the atmosphere is really great. According to Sohaila, each of the three intercultural evenings has been wonderful. For her, they have been something special, because they offered her an opportunity to get to know some traditional foods and music from the other countries. She thinks the events were a great opportunity to sit together, talk, share ideas, eat and have fun together.
Many thanks for the report to Matleena Utunen!
“The goal is to empower our youths to become active and reflective citizens,” says Lorenzo, teamer of the Italian group. The professional educators from the three countries not only look after the young people, but also moderate and design the framework of the schedule. “We are doing good so far and I am very positive, when I am thinking of the outcome of our project.”
Understanding Society
On the fifth day of the encounter, the young people discussed values and norms and how an ideal society should be organised. “Young people from all over Europe meet here and exchange their opinions. In the end, you see a lot of things more clearly, which is so exciting,” says Siar, 21, from Werkstatt-Berufskolleg in Germany.
In addition to the project work, one of the highlights of the encounter was a boat trip to the small, deserted island of Tankar. Equally impressive was the talent show, in which the young people presented their dancing, singing and artistic skills.
The project partnership in the framework of Generation Europe – The Academy has been running for three years. After meetings in Italy (2022) and Germany (2023), the return visit to Finland was now on the agenda. The youth encounter impressively demonstrates how European cooperation pays off at local level, and how young people can be empowered through intercultural exchange: All three groups are now preparing for local activities at home in the autumn. With the slogan “Act local – connect European – think global!”, they will take part in a European Action Week as part of the international network.
Many thanks for the photos to Sohaila Shojayie (group photo) and the Partnership 4 social media team!