.: October 2008

About the youth in the Baltic regions

Youth and youth workers from different European countries met
in Międzyzdroje at the International Youth Conference "Youth
for Future", the 9-12 October 2008. The meeting was a part
of the project "A step towards democracy".The meeting began
on Thursday 9 October in hotel "Wolin" in Międzyzdroje.
After the ice-breaking games all participants presented the
regions from which they came.
And so it was possible to admire pictures from many regions
of Europe,enjoy culinary delicacies and listen to regional
songs. The next day, all welcomed Mrs Elżbieta Mielczarek
-the member of the Westpomeranian Parliament. Then a short
presentation about "A step towards democracy" project was
held. The conference participants could see how the
previous meetings proceeded and review the work of their
colleagues.
Another point was the presentation by Mrs. Małgorzata
Ludwiczek and Paweł Grządko on youth policy in the region
around the Baltic Sea. Next the topic of the youth policy
in the participants, regions was presented with the focus
on the structure of youth councils, and problems of the
young people in different regions.

After a day of hard work, the participants discovered
the old culture of the West Pomerania, went to the Vikings
village in the nearby Wolin.
There a variety of attractions awaited them: a band playing
old music, lessons of shooting from the arc, rowing in a
Vikings boat and eating traditional dishes for dinner.
Saturday began with a talk of Mrs. Zofia Ślęzakowska on the
"Youth in Action" as a tool for the implementation of youth
policy. Then the participants were split into groups and took
part in workshops on the following topics:
1) youth participation,
2) how to use the "Youth in Action" program
3) the challenges of working with the international group.
As way of relaxation after heated discussions,
guided walk around Międzyzdroje and Wolin National Park
was proposed associated. After time spent in the fresh air
afternoon session not only it was a good time for
presentation of the of group work results but a summary
ofthe entire conference as well.
In the evening barbecue the knots of new and old friendships
were tightened.
The young artists from Szczecin performed the fire show and
taught some jugglers tricks. It was a very fruitful meeting
– a good way to mutual understanding and a further cooperation.

Marta Gwizdala, a student from Zespol Szkol Nr 3, Szczecinek, Poland