Press release: #BSYD: 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall – how did the event shape the Baltic Sea Region?
Between 15th and 18th of October, 20 young adults from the Baltic Sea Region will come together in Berlin to discuss regional identity and cooperation in the annual Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue. In the 6th edition of the programme, carried out by the Council of the Baltic Sea States and Körber Foundation Germany, they do so by exploring how the end of the Cold War opened way to and shaped cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region until today.
The political transitions in Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 had a huge impact on the states surrounding the Baltic Sea, and the transition opened the way for new forms of cooperation connecting the region like never before. But how was this common space produced and reproduced in the political, economic and cultural sphere, what were the motives and how did it affect people’s lives?
30 years later, participants between 16 and 25 from different countries will meet in Berlin to discuss and reflect on the impacts of the transformative events in 1989 on the region in the 6th Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue. In different workshops, the future region-builders will explore the development of the regional cooperation and gain insights into the work of the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
CBSS Senior Adviser for Regional Identity, Dr. Kaarina Williams says: “The CBSS has been active in youth cooperation for many years. But now we want to take up on the momentum of young people making their voices heard all over the world to empower young people to also become politically active in the framework of Baltic Sea Region policy-making”.
A highlight of the event is therefore the panel discussion “Give us a seat at the table!“, in which young activists with various backgrounds discuss together with policymakers the role of youth movements and youth activism in the Baltic Sea Region and how to better integrate young people’s voices into today’s policy-making. The event will be held on 16 October 2019 at 18:00 in the Betahaus coworking space in Kreuzberg, Berlin. The free event is open for the public and will be followed by a small reception.
When: 15 – 18 October
Where: Alte Börse Marzahn& Betahaus, Berlin, Germany
Members of the press are welcome to attend the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue and the panel discussion.
For more information, please contact Media and Communications Officer Paulina Ek – [email protected]
About the Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue
The Baltic Sea Youth Dialogue brings together young Europeans, who are interested in the history of Baltic Sea cooperation, to know each other’s cultures and explore their shared identity. The event has taken place for five consecutive years in Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland and Russia. This year’s 6thedition comes in a creative workshop format as part of the EUSTORY Next Generation Summit “Winds of Change – Transitions in Europe” organized by the Körber Foundation Germany.