To them that means standing together and do something for the environment. Without clean water, food, air and soil the youths don´t have a future. Without taking responsibility for people and nature that they don´t know, but still lives simultaneously, neither they nor you have a future. The gathering was inspired by the example of the norwegian author Bjoernstjerne Bjoernson (1832-1910). He had many ideas about international peace and collaboration. They were set out by people inspired by him. Bjoernson still inspires. Struggling for keeping peace is different from the struggle of making it. The youths from Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia and Norway agreed on writing this article. It´s now read by people in four different countries at the same time on four different languages.
Ahoj! Do you know what it means? It means ”hallo”! We are a group of Slovakian students from Ruzomberok gymnasium and we want to tell a little of what we think. At the start of the conference, we were full of expectation and fear of the unknown. At the first day we saw some differences between people from different countries. But day by day, while working together the differences disappeared in mysterious ways. We found ways of reaching out for another and we became closer. Despite the boarders between the countries we deliberated on different issues connected to peace and the environment and how important this is for the whole world. Thanks to the method of dialogue we learned how to listen to people and understand them and share our ideas and accept others. We found dialogue as one of the ways of establishing and keeping peace. Our big idol is B. Bjoernson who fought for the right things even when it would be dangerous for himself. We have been greatly inspired by his life and actions. We hope to spread his ideas, and ours, between our families, friends, neighbours and thus for the whole country.
When first asked why we attended the conference, we answered that we wanted to represent our country Ukraine and find out more of the other countries, meet people and simply have fun. We couldn´t imagine what was awaiting us. We try to keep in our hearts and thoughts all that has happened to us. We managed to connect that what was uncconnectable, we managed to think of difficult issues in simple ways, and we managed not only to enjoy being toghether but also to develop ourselves. At this time we are aware that you should never become tired of being inspired and be a source of inspiration yourself. We will keep in mind Bjoernsons word “Good deeds will save the world” and follow this motto in our lifes. When we get back home to our school, Lviv classical gymnasium, we will share our ideas with our friends, relatives, shoolmates and neighbours and very soon start with practical things; such as cleaning up-campaign before eastern and drawing public attention to environmental problems. We are going to ask for permittance to publish this and more articles in the newspaper of Lviv.
We, the norwegian students from Gausdal high school, have had a splendid time at the youth conference. During the conference we´ve learned to start with the small things, and that it will have a meaning in the big picture. Small actions can give important and big changes. We´ve also learned a lot about each others cultures and what the other countries people think of important issues that the whole world are dealing with. Inspite of being from different countries we have all learned to get along. We´ve become good friends.
Before coming to the conference we, from Lithuania, had some particular attitude towards the protection of the environment and how to keep peace in the world: Small things can have an effect on the larger scale and influence nature. We also wanted to explore different cultures and people. The other thought we had was that this conference would be very formal, but that we would broaden our horizons. The conference became different from what we expected! At first we actually were a bit scared and worried, it was the first time we were on board a plane or came to Norway.
During the conference we realized that it had a very great impact on our understanding of the world and what surrounds us. We met many other youths and made some new friends which we will remember forever. What is more; the dialogue with the others ruined the former stereotypes about foreigners. It doesn´t matter what our nationality or background are, we are young people with similar ideas and similar wishes for the future. We belive that small steps lead to bigger things and when we get back to Lithuania and our Siauliu ”Romuvos” gymnasium, we will be able to spread our ideas among different groups of people.
We know that when vi get back to our usual surroundings, we may be misunderstood by the others. As we know, Bjoernson also promoted ideas that were innovative and different for his society. So we are ready to do our best to promote our new environmental and democratic ideas despite pressure from the outside. If you seek to achieve something in your life, it will come true sooner or later.