DAY II: Why this all is necessary?
Early morning there was a canoe trip down the river Gauja, giving a practical experience of the importance of teamwork. On and in the canoe there was time to talk about the importance of the team work and why do we needed at all, and to continue the discussion after landing and at lunch time. The next topic was the opportunities of the participation. General questions were: Should I do something? How can young people influence the local council and government?
The first speaker was Kertu Täht who talked about the youth councils and Valga Youth council in particular; how to get involved in the work youth council, and what it provides for both the individual and the community, what has been done, and about the co-operation with the local municipality.
Next speaker, Zigfrīds Niklavics, told about the youth council Valka, its achievements, opportunities and co-operation with Valka rural government.
Next, Ester Kaasik informed about the activities of NGO “Valga County Youth Center Tankla” and their branches (youth newspaper, television, portal, passport of voluntary worker, summer school, jobs for schoolchildren in summer). There were discussed the possibilities of joining “Tankla”, about its purposes and its output for both the individual and the community. “Tankla” pointed the significance of good co-operation with local authorities.
Short presentations were given by Hanna-Liisa Pärnik-Pernik and Carmen Saega, who talked
about the student councils and their necessity. Both Pärnik-Pernik and Saega are long-term
council members.
After a brief pause, Rasmus Onkel, Margo Metsoja and Katre Kikkas with the aid of Latvian youngsters introduced the state administration of Estonia and Latvia (state, county and local governments and the management of its tasks). Estonia and Latvia have different systems, and together everybody tried to find the joint points for better understanding of each other (for example, the English word “chairman” has different meanings in the context of Valga or Valka). Additionally, they talked about their own experience in the local councils.
There was a discussion about the administrative-territorial reform. For young people, it is important that: (1) schools and kindergartens remain where they are; (2) there is one single youth council, which actively co-operates with everybody ; (3) the new rural government pay attention to the daily connection between centre and periphery; (4) the youngsters from periphery should be able to access schools and interest centers in Valga; (5) the rural government should think about organizing the activities and events that would be attractive both to the young people living here today, as well as to those who have their roots here and would like to return to Valga-Valka region after the end of their studies. The highlight of the Summer Academy was a decision-making simulation. Young people were advised by Tõnu Troon from Tõlliste rural government and the head of Taheva rural government Monika Rogenbaum. Thus all the participants found themselves in unusual for them role, quite out of daily routine. During the simulation, the situation was played out, where rural government x has money to renovate a building, but it will be sufficient for only one installation, and all the parties of interest will have to decide where the money will be spent - a youth center or a center for handicrafts. Participants were divided into interest groups, like: union of the retired persons, youth council, the National Heritage Board, the owners of the dwellings, and the local council. Each participant was given a specific list of the values he/she has to stand for. There were various discussions and the ultimate decision was "Council decided to build an office building". The simulation proved the participants the importance of good argumentation, negotiation skills and the ability to make compromises, if necessary.
Early morning there was a canoe trip down the river Gauja, giving a practical experience of the importance of teamwork. On and in the canoe there was time to talk about the importance of the team work and why do we needed at all, and to continue the discussion after landing and at lunch time. The next topic was the opportunities of the participation. General questions were: Should I do something? How can young people influence the local council and government?
The first speaker was Kertu Täht who talked about the youth councils and Valga Youth council in particular; how to get involved in the work youth council, and what it provides for both the individual and the community, what has been done, and about the co-operation with the local municipality.
Next speaker, Zigfrīds Niklavics, told about the youth council Valka, its achievements, opportunities and co-operation with Valka rural government.
Next, Ester Kaasik informed about the activities of NGO “Valga County Youth Center Tankla” and their branches (youth newspaper, television, portal, passport of voluntary worker, summer school, jobs for schoolchildren in summer). There were discussed the possibilities of joining “Tankla”, about its purposes and its output for both the individual and the community. “Tankla” pointed the significance of good co-operation with local authorities.
Short presentations were given by Hanna-Liisa Pärnik-Pernik and Carmen Saega, who talked
about the student councils and their necessity. Both Pärnik-Pernik and Saega are long-term
council members.
After a brief pause, Rasmus Onkel, Margo Metsoja and Katre Kikkas with the aid of Latvian youngsters introduced the state administration of Estonia and Latvia (state, county and local governments and the management of its tasks). Estonia and Latvia have different systems, and together everybody tried to find the joint points for better understanding of each other (for example, the English word “chairman” has different meanings in the context of Valga or Valka). Additionally, they talked about their own experience in the local councils.
There was a discussion about the administrative-territorial reform. For young people, it is important that: (1) schools and kindergartens remain where they are; (2) there is one single youth council, which actively co-operates with everybody ; (3) the new rural government pay attention to the daily connection between centre and periphery; (4) the youngsters from periphery should be able to access schools and interest centers in Valga; (5) the rural government should think about organizing the activities and events that would be attractive both to the young people living here today, as well as to those who have their roots here and would like to return to Valga-Valka region after the end of their studies. The highlight of the Summer Academy was a decision-making simulation. Young people were advised by Tõnu Troon from Tõlliste rural government and the head of Taheva rural government Monika Rogenbaum. Thus all the participants found themselves in unusual for them role, quite out of daily routine. During the simulation, the situation was played out, where rural government x has money to renovate a building, but it will be sufficient for only one installation, and all the parties of interest will have to decide where the money will be spent - a youth center or a center for handicrafts. Participants were divided into interest groups, like: union of the retired persons, youth council, the National Heritage Board, the owners of the dwellings, and the local council. Each participant was given a specific list of the values he/she has to stand for. There were various discussions and the ultimate decision was "Council decided to build an office building". The simulation proved the participants the importance of good argumentation, negotiation skills and the ability to make compromises, if necessary.