A Nordic Democracy Seminar for Young Ukrainians

Empowering Tomorrow

What is it like to live in a Nordic country as a young Ukrainian right now? How can you communicate about the situation in your homeland? And in which ways can you help make a change? These are some of the questions that will be discussed on the upcoming seminar.

 

What do you achieve by participating?

  • An opportunity to learn from experts and peers about the principles and practices of democracy and freedom of speech.
  • The chance to share your experiences and challenges living abroad with fellow young Ukrainians staying in different Scandinavian regions.
  • Expanding the network of peers in the Scandinavian countries.
  • Explore ways to collaborate and amplify your voices in the public sphere.

 

Download the invitation, program and partner presentation here. 

Join the seminar

When and where?

  • February 14-17, 2025, at Nansen Academy in Lillehammer Norway.
  • The seminar is free of charge including all travel expenses. 

Who can join?

  • if you have Ukrainian citizenship.
  • are staying, studying, living or working in a Nordic country.
  • have an age between 18 and 25.
  • speak Ukrainian and English.
  • you have not particpated in the Empowering Tomorrow in June 2024

How?

  • Send a motivated application, the deadline is December 1, 2024.

APPLY NOW

Meet Oksana - your host

I am young professional with a strong commitment to promoting youth engagement and civil society development in Ukraine, making them a strong candidate for roles related to community development, civic engagement, and rebuilding efforts in the country.

Currently working on conducting dialogue and cultural exchange between Denmark and Ukraine.

Programme

14:00 – 15:00 Check in

15:00 – 16:00 Presentations: partners and workshops

16:00 – 18:00 Village walk

18:00 – 19:00 Dinner

19:30 – 21:00 Social evening program

08:00 – 08:45 Breakfast

09:00 – 09:45 Morning assembly

10:00 – 11:00 Lecture: Resilience of the Ukrainian Culture

11:30 – 12:30 Round 1: workshops 

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:00 ...workshops continued

15:00 – 15:30 Break

15:30 – 18:00 Round 2: Workshops

18:00 – 19:00 Dinner

19:30 – 20:00 Group debriefing of todays program

20:00 – 21:00 Social evening program

08:00 – 08:45 Breakfast

09:00 – 09:45 Morning assembly

10:00 – 11:00 Lecture: The Nordic democratic traditions

11:30 – 12:30 Round 3: workshops 

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 15:00 ...workshops continued

15:00 – 15:30 Break

15:30 – 18:00 Round 4: Workshops

18:00 – 19:00 Dinner

19:30 – 20:00 Group debriefing of todays program

20:00 – 21:00 Social evening program

08:00 – 08:45 Breakfast

09:00 – 09:30 Morning assembly

09:15 – 12:00 Take aways, new inspiration, bridge to further engagement

12.00 Lunch-packet

Farewell

Practical information

To register, please fill out this online form by December 1 including a motivation. This will ensure that we can diversify the composition of participants regarding gender, age, and country of temporary residence.

You can expect an answer by Friday December 6. 

 

Oslo to Lillehammer

From Oslo Central station to Lillehammer Station - approx 2 hours

Train RE10 towards Lillehammer or Train F6 towards Kvitfjel

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From Oslo Airport to Lillehammer Station - approx 1.5 hours

Train RE10 towards Lillehammer or Train F6 towards Kvitfjel

 

Lillehammer st. to Nansen Academy

13 minutes by foot

 

Parking

There is parking for some cars in the school car park, but it would be an advantage if everyone, who has the opportunity to do so, could make use of the good public transport.

Electric car charger: There is a simple charger on the school grounds, managed by Plug-pay. This is not a fast-charger. However, there are many fast-charging stations in Lillehammer.

The seminar is free of charge that includes accommodation and food. Any expenses towards transportation will also be covered.

To claim reimbursement, you need to follow these steps:

  • When your participation has been confirmed, you can buy your travel tickets.
  • Collect all the receipts or proof of payment for your transport expenses. You may need to scan or take a photo of them when you are submitting your claim online.
  • Send us all the ducumentet travel expenses as well as all needed information on your bank account: your name, address connected to the bank account, bank info (IBAN/SWIFT).
  • If you have an Ukrainian bank, the transfer time can be up to 14 days.

Bedlinen and towels are included. The rooms have a sink and shared bathroom fascilities on every corridor.

The rooms have a view over the garden or the courtyard in front of the school.

All the rooms and the main school building have Wifi.

Breakfast x 3

Lunch x 2

Dinner x 3

Allergy/intolerance: The kitchen will be able to make arrangements for this if necessary.

 

Breakfast: A varied selection of toppings. We always have fresh bread and rolls and various cereals, as well as yogurt, juice and various types of milk.

Lunch: Consists of two hot dishes (Meat or fish, and a vegetarian dish). Various salads and cold meat and fish dishes are served. Dessert also belongs to a good cold table.

Dinner: Served in the evening and consists of a main course with dessert to follow. Vegetarian dishes and various diets are prepared as needed.

 

Fresh fruit and biscuits are available between meals.

A hot drink machine with freshly ground coffee, cappuccino, tea and cocoa is available during the school's opening hours.

Elaborated program

  • Resilience of the Ukrainian Culture: Covers the evolution of civil society in Ukraine, key historic moments behind Ukrainian democracy, and influential cultural figures shaping Ukrainian identity. By Nataliya, Ukraine House
  • The Nordic Democratic Traditions: The workshop explores the Nordic Democratic traditions in terms of freedom of expression, and the various dilemmas concerning freedom of expression. By Nansen Academy

 

  • To be heard one cannot be silent. Where is the comma? Dialogue for young people: By Kira & Dmytro, UDYH
  • Project management in a human-centered approach: Identifying social problems, analyzing causes and consequences, targeting specific audiences, and generating innovative solutions. Participants will enhance teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills. Teams can receive post-workshop mentoring from BUR to implement their ideas. By Anastasiia, BUR
  • Workshop on advocacy: You will learn about tools for conducting events and demonstrations at a national level. Through an introduction to the work of Nordic Ukraine Forum and how they are a key player in the civil society in Sweden, you will discuss how to engage people in activities, where to start, and what can be done. By Alina, NUF
  • Countering Russian Disinformation: my role: covers the most pressing threats of Russian disinformation worldwide and the role of Ukrainians globally in addressing it. By Nataliya, UH

The seminar will have a series of social events, from ice-breakers, group debriefings on learnings as well as morning assemblies and cosy evening program.

One evening Nataliya will arrange a fireside reading of Ukrainian poetry – a presentation on Ukrainian poetry of the 20th century, discussion of the poets of Executed Renaissance as well as the 60-iers up to contemporary Ukrainian poets writing during wartime.