I will start this piece by confessing that I have always been sceptical of youth organisations and their activities. I used to perceive this as a waste of time and energy instead of doing some “real work” with “actual results”. However, as life loves paradoxes and people are contradictory by nature, having such an attitude did not stop me from... establishing a youth organisation myself (I hope a slightly ironic smile shows on your face; mine certainly does). Although I still maintain a healthy dose of scepticism (about anything in life, not merely “youth stuff”), even my inner cynic cannot deny that young people, guided in the right direction, can do a lot – sometimes even more than they think.
I have been involved in various youth activities, both in Lithuania and abroad, for several years already. My primary focus was on high school and university students interested in journalism. Yet, in practice, I have worked with a broad range of youngsters who believed in democratic ideals and were genuinely passionate about exploring the world and its possibilities. My heart was delighted to feel that same compelling and explosive energy on September 27th and 28th in Vilnius during the Nordic-Baltic Youth Summit. I was asked to share a few observations about it, which I hope will be worthwhile not only for the organisers but also for you, our dear readers.
Here is another little confession: I attended this event not only because of the kind invitation I received (thank you!) but also for some additional reasons. First of all, out of simple curiosity. Witnessing anything of international significance in small (beautiful, yet still small) Lithuania is always intriguing. Second, I was perfectly aware that I did not have a great deal of knowledge of Scandinavia. Considering how relevant this entire region is to Lithuania, it is a sufficiently embarrassing fact for me to take some action to at least partially fix it. I could push even further by saying that understanding our northern neighbours has become essential following changing geopolitical architecture and Sweden and Finland's historic membership in NATO.
Brimming with reasons and anticipation, I headed to Vilnius Town Hall on that Friday morning. On my way there, I met a girl and a boy wearing T-shirts with the event logo and trying to figure out the functions of the fancy wheelchair, which they were willing to bring to the venue. They noticed my gaze and smiled. I smiled back. To me, who is sensitive to Lithuania's historical and political contexts, that portrayal of them in this situation was powerfully revealing and made me feel a sense of pride and joy. I encountered even more of it when I entered the building itself. My chest was immediately flooded with the wave of heartfelt and innocent chaos only young people could make. The moment you are among them, everything seems easy and possible.
All the venue elements were spot-on: lighting, LED screens with matching visuals, and rational space usage to the fullest. The historical Town Hall experienced a beautiful transformation, looking fresh and colourful. I took a seat in the middle row. My eyes scanned the area, enjoying seeing it filled with youngsters of different nationalities who shared similar struggles, joys, and passions. We had a pleasant conversation with two Swedish delegates seated behind me. They spoke about being thrilled to visit Lithuania for the first time. In return, I told them about my first trip to Sweden, which took place more than ten years ago and remains one of my most unforgettable teenage memories.
Here the show starts. A pair of Swedish and Lithuanian hosts led the event in an elegant and talented manner. They playfully explained all the Summit rules and shed light on the agenda. The latter, in fact, seemed quite ambitious: it was expected that youth would not only attend the presentations, panels, and other activities at the Town Hall but also participate in the workshops scattered across different places at partner institutions in the city. After completing their group work, they would all gather in the main hall, where their team representatives would summarise their findings and perspectives to the audience. The event breaks were infused with a Scandinavian flavour, reminding the participants of the importance of a healthy lifestyle by encouraging them to engage in actual physical exercises.
During the workshops, participants covered issues related to governance, climate, well-being, democracy, peace and security. I will not elaborate on each; instead, I will stay with the aspect that stuck in my mind the most. And one of he problems the youth brought to the surface was decreasing faith in democracy. Honestly, I find it extremely frightening. As a granddaughter of a deportee of Stalin's regime and a daughter of parents who were born in the Soviet Union, it is terrifying even to think about the younger generation, who would be indifferent to the privilege of living in the era of freedom.
There is no denying that every democracy has its ups and downs. Democracies are challenging and require a great deal of effort to maintain! Moreover, when people do not achieve the desired results quickly, they get disappointed and look for simple answers. Precisely for this reason, populism and radicalisation (another aspect briefly discussed during the presentations) can seem so appealing. These red flags are extremely dangerous since there are no easy answers to intricate questions that require careful consideration. Therefore, such events remind youth of the complexities of the world they live in.
Additionally, they serve as a powerful source of inspiration and positive energy. There is no better remedy for gloomy thoughts than hearing stories from morally strong and bright individuals, just as it was during the keynote and panel sessions. From the Swedish futurist to the Danish and Finnish youth activists. From the Lithuanian entrepreneur to the Norwegian Paralympian and the Indigenous rights advocate from Greenland. They were all so different, though they shared the same message of hope. They also seemed to be painfully honest. It may sometimes feel uncomfortable, but authenticity is one of the most appreciated values among a generation surrounded by misleading and so-called “perfect” images.
During one of the panel discussions, the participants were asked about the factors that motivate them. The Norwegian Paralympian emphasised his aim to be a role model and a better sports professional. The Finnish youth representative noted her inner desire to make a difference in the world. Meanwhile, the Greenlander activist, without hesitation, pointed out the importance of the community, which gives the strength to continue even under the most challenging circumstances. This answer resonated with me the most since it simultaneously encompassed all the other elements.
“Individuals” and “communities” are two entities that cannot exist separately. Whether we like it or not, there would be no communities without individuals and vice versa. We are social creatures in need of one another. And democracy is the most accurate reflection of human nature that we could think of. However, if we seek peace among different societies, we should look at them with empathy, as we do with our friends, from whom we often differ strongly, yet we cherish deeply. As I listened to young people speaking at the Summit, I was happy to hear them describe peace and democracy not as something static but as a dynamic process in which we all take a role.
I believe the best criticism is born out of love. It is because you care. You feel and understand the pain – the pain of yours, the pain of your friends, the pain of your society. A healthy scepticism intertwined with hope and willingness for change makes you a responsible citizen – neither blind optimism nor empty slogans. Miracles are also something I believe in. Yet, I do not perceive them as something which happens by accident. Like success, they tend to come to those who commit themselves to their purpose. Some people doubted Lithuania joining the European Union and NATO in 2004. However, we are here due to tireless diplomatic work and a strong nation's determination. Meanwhile, the youth – in Lithuania and elsewhere – are the architects of our democratic future. Thus, I sincerely wish for this Summit to become an annual platform where young people can meet like-minded counterparts and be equipped for this challenging yet vital mission.
Gabija Strumylaitė currently holds a position as a transferable skills training coordinator for PhD students at Vilnius University. She has a journalistic background, having previously worked at the Lithuanian news outlet "15min" and Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). In 2021, she established the Vilnius University Young Journalists' Society, the country's most recognisable journalistic youth organisation.
