Youth Together for Arctic Futures is a project that aims to bridge Arctic youth to their European peers. By fostering collaboration and mutual learning between Arctic and European youth, the project aims to provide Arctic and European youth with the necessary knowledge, skills, and opportunities to advocate for policy promoting a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic future.
A key part of the project is the establishment of an EU-Arctic Youth Dialogue, held alongside the EU Arctic Forum and the Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue. The first EU-Arctic Youth Dialogue was held on 15 May 2024, as the last day of a five-day Arctic Youth Dialogue (AYD) program (11-15 May 2024) held in Brussels, Belgium.
This year’s Arctic Youth Dialogue program, themed “The Power of Youth?!”, focused on youth involvement and empowerment within the Arctic and Europe. 32 young leaders met to engage in discussions about shaping the future of the Arctic. The event kicked off with team-building activities designed to establish connections and foster collaboration among participants. Workshops were held on policy making, networking and consensus building. Next, participants transitioned to addressing various pressing Arctic issues, with each young person contributing their own insights, lived experience and expertise. Policy recommendations across four themes were developed and sharpened with input from policymakers:
1. Youth-inclusive planning and decision-making for the Arctic
2. Economic incentives for nature protection and conservation
3. Climate adaptation in the Arctic
4. The management of Arctic oceans
The activities continued with the EU Arctic Forum, Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue and EU-Arctic Youth Dialogue on 14-15 May, hosted by the European Commission. This forum portion included panel sessions with Arctic and EU policymakers, a storytelling session with Arctic Youth Dialogue participants, and the presentation of the policy recommendations crafted by the 32 youth participants. These recommendations are set to influence policy-making at the European Parliament, reflecting the unique perspectives and innovative ideas of the youth involved.
As a partner in the Youth Together for Arctic Futures project, APECS was represented in the forum and Arctic Youth Dialogue in multiple ways:
- Vice President, Lina Madaj, served as a panel member in the forum session “Research in and for the Arctic”
- Simone Weichenrieder, member of APECS’ UN Climate Change Conference Project Group, was a participant in this year’s AYD program
- Arthur Amelot, National Committee Representative for APECS France, attended the forum as a participant
- Directorate Officer, Axel Schlindwein, participated in the AYD as a member of the project’s Youth Board
- Executive Director, Sarah Strand, helped organize the AYD program as a member of the project consortium team
The APECS International Directorate is grateful to the project consortium team and participants for contributing to a successful and deeply meaningful program. The next Arctic Youth Dialogue will be held alongside the next EU Arctic Forum in spring 2025.
The Arctic Youth Dialogue is part of the Youth Together for Arctic Futures project, which is funded by the European Union.
This content is the sole responsibility of APECS and partners and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
