DAY 0: Thursday 19 September
Arrival day & getting to know each other
08:00-19:00 Arrival, check-in (separate program for NORA participants)
19:00-21:00 Icebreaker dinner (informal dinner and scavenger hunt in Bodø)
Venue: Smarthotel Bodø, restaurant area
DAY 1: Friday 20 September
Conference and Workshop
Venue: Beddingen House of Culture (Tolder Holmers vei 4, 8003 Bodø)
08:15 Joint departure from the hotel lobby (Smarthotel Bodø)
08:30-09:00 Coffee and registration at Beddingen
PART 1 - Introduction
09:00-09:20 Opening session – Welcome to Generation Barents!
Moderators: Marie Henriette Johnsen & Carina Ysland (Students, Nord University)
09.20-09.45 What’s the deal in the North?
Theme: Let's delve into the youth situation in the Barents Region and the Nordics. We'll explore demographics, migration trends, and future prospects, discussing challenges and opportunities – also when it comes to international cooperation. And most importantly, we'll explore how youth can shape a brighter future for themselves and their society.
Speaker: Andrey Mineev, Researcher, Business School of Nord University
PART 2 – Education and work in the North
Theme: Are we offering the right education to meet job market needs? What can we learn from our neighboring countries? In this segment, we are going explore this question together with examples from career and industry experts. We’ll look at how our education aligns with job opportunities and discuss ways to solve common challenges through cross-border cooperation.
09.45-10.15 Presentations
“What’s missing in our approach to education and employment in the Nordics?” –youth representative (TBC)
“Young North – Ownership of Your Own Future” – Kristiane Mauno Krystad, Arctic Energy Partners
“Cross-border opportunities in the Nordic region” – Ida Steiner & Ludvig Karlsson, Nordjobb / Nordfokus
10.15-11.00 Panel talk about career opportunities in the North
- Are we offering the right education to meet the market needs?
- How can cross-border cooperation enhance education and job opportunities in the Nordic region?
- What role can entrepreneurship and innovative industries play in shaping the future of work for young people?
Panel: Youth representative, Nordjobb, Arctic Energy Partners, Marine Spark AS.
11:00-11:15 Coffee break
PART 3 – Youth and housing
Theme: Where and how will we live in the future, and are we ready for it? Join us in exploring these questions from the perspective of young people. We'll engage in a presentation and conversation with an architect bureau to discuss the design of future towns, decision-making in housing construction, and ensuring affordability. Let's shape our future homes together.
11.15-11.30 The current status of the housing situation for youth in the North
Presentation by a youth representative (TBC)
11.30-12.00 Designing sustainable housing for future communities
Presentation by the architect bureau AT Arkitektur, Fabric +: What will our future towns look like, who are deciding how our houses are being built, how to ensure that young people can afford a place to live etc.
Lunch
12:00-13:00 Lunch is served at the conference venue (Beddingen House of Culture).
PART 4 – Future Scenario Workshop
Join us for an engaging Future Scenario Workshop designed to inspire young minds to think critically about the future. Participants will explore futures thinking, engage in horizon scanning, and build scenarios to envision a sustainable future. Led by Folke, a non-profit organization from Tromsø, this workshop aims to empower young people to tackle social challenges and foster community development. Moderator: Lene Lundberg, Folke.
13:00-14:00 Future Scenario Workshop
14:00-14:15 Coffee break
14:15-16:00 Future Scenario Workshop continues
Wrap-up – Takes from today
16:00-16:15 In our concluding session, we'll reflect on key takeaways from today's conference, emphasizing the themes and insights gained.
Evening program and joint dinner
16:30-17:30 Bonfire coffee by the city beach or sauna and a swim (optional)
17:30-19:00 Free time
19:00-23:00 Green Gala Party at Beddingen!
As night falls, the conference venue will be transformed into an oasis with the help of our partner, Space for Plants. Founded by Lorna Aventurine, Space for Plants is a greenhouse café and a cultural hub in Bodø, dedicated to breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity through lush greenery, creativity, and community gatherings.
We'll kick off the evening with a joint dinner, presentations by three innovative youth startups (Marine Spark AS, M.A.I. Learning AS, CapiPro AS), followed by some entertainment and an electrifying party atmosphere. Get ready to dance to the beats of DJ Ailo and enjoy refreshments at the bar.
DAY 2: Saturday 21 September
Conference and Group Work on the Barents Youth Program
Venue: Beddingen House of Culture (Tolder Holmers vei 4, 8003 Bodø)
09:00-09:30 Coffee and mingling
09:30-09:35 Opening of day 2
Moderators: Klajdi Dedej (BRYC Chair) & Martin Gamst Johnsen (BRYC Alumni)
09:35-10:00 Let's talk cash: Finding funds for your cool project ideas
Discover how to turn your ideas into real projects by getting the money you need! Learn about funding options from NORA and the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. Let's work together to make your projects happen!
Speakers:
- Liza Vassilieva, Youth Adviser, The Norwegian Barents Secretariat, Kirkenes
- NORA Secretariat – Nordic Atlantic Cooperation, Tórshavn
The Barents Youth Program
Theme: The Barents Youth Program is a strategic document guiding youth cooperation in the Barents Region, updated every three years. As the current program term ends in 2024, we're drafting the next program for 2025-2027. Join us in this interactive session to provide your input and discuss the priorities for the next term. Your ideas will help shape the future of youth cooperation in the Barents Region.
Moderators: Klajdi Dedej (BRYC Chair) & Martin Gamst Johnsen (BRYC Alumni)
10.00-10.20 The Barents Youth Program – How was it made?
10.20-10.40 “Why is the Barents Youth Program Important”
10:40-11:00 Agree or Disagree: “Barents Now”
Participants join a Standpoint shuffle, or an interactive, physical opinion poll based on statements about our region.
11.00-11.15 Coffee break
11.15-12.00 “The Idea Machine”
Participants will be divided into 8 groups, each guided by a mentor/moderator. Together, they'll brainstorm and develop ideas for the Barents Youth Program.
12.00-13.00 Lunch
13.00-14.00 “Concretize the Ideas”
In this segment, we will refine and select key ideas to focus on, transforming initial thoughts into well-developed concepts.
14.00-15.30 “The Power of the Pen”
The groups will write proposals to modify the youth program or add new proposals. Use premade presentation templates and visualize proposed changes.
15.30-15.45 Coffee break
15.45-16.45 “Show and Tell” – Presentation of the proposals from each group
16.45-17.00 Conclusion
Evening program and joint dinner
17:00-18:40 Free time
18:40-19:00 Walk to Egna by foot (20 minutes) or with public bus
19:00-22:00 Circular Economy Dinner at Egna (Verkstedveien 1, 8008 Bodø)
Join us for an engaging evening at Egna, a Bodø-based leader in sustainability and community-driven innovation. Egna is dedicated to creating environmentally friendly jobs and offering job training to those outside the workforce. During dinner, you’ll hear presentations from Egna about their impactful work and from ACAF/LUKE on their research into youth and indigenous involvement in climate change adaptation and the circular economy.
22:00-22:20 Walk back to the hotel
DAY 3: Sunday 22 September
Departure day
