CBSS Youth Ministerial 2024: Amplifying Youth Voices in the BSR

The CBSS Youth Ministerial 2024 was held in Helsinki last week, amplifying the voices of young people across the Baltic Sea Region.

On 21-24 May 2024, young leaders aged 18 to 30 from across the Baltic Sea Region gathered in Helsinki to share ideas, learn from each other, and foster collaboration on the the topics of youth participation, European elections, and civil security.

They also worked on youth recommendations that will be presented at the upcoming CBSS foreign ministers meeting.

The discussions were enriched by the diverse perspectives of young delegates representing local, national, and regional levels of cooperation.

Participants were invited to see firsthand how Finland is enhancing security through civic defence shelters and icebreaker ships. Experts in civic defence and societal resilience provided valuable insights on these topics.

In addition to the thematic discussions, participants had the unique opportunity to meet and converse with senior officials of the CBSS, gaining a practical understanding of international cooperation beyond theoretical knowledge.

The CBSS Youth Ministerial focuses not only on exchanging viewpoints and networking but also on producing actionable recommendations. These recommendations, crafted collaboratively by the participants, will be submitted to the Foreign Ministers at the forthcoming CBSS Ministerial meeting.

This process establishes a crucial link between current decision-makers and future leaders, fostering high-level intergenerational dialogue and inspiration. Preparations are currently underway to finalise these recommendations to ensure the best possible outcomes.

The CBSS is committed to promoting meaningful youth participation in policy-making processes. The Youth Ministerial is a key component of this commitment, providing a platform for young people to engage directly with decision-makers, share their perspectives, and influence policies that impact their futures.