Sjekkes mot fremføring.

Dear everyone, and especially all the young people and youth workers present.

It is a great honor for me to welcome you to Tromsø and to this conference on how youth work can support youth participation in remote territories of Europe.

It is no coincidence that we are in Tromsø. As you know, this is Europe’s Youth Capital this year.

Tromsø has received this recognition because of its long-standing work with young people, with youth participation, and for young people in the northern regions.

So, dear Municipality of Tromsø — thank you so much for all the excellent work you have done, and thank you for hosting this wonderful conference!

**

If you follow the Telemark Canal all the way to the end, you come to a place called Dalen.

Around one thousand people live there. When I grew up, I was one of them.

The risk of growing up in a place like Dalen is that things can become too small.

You risk ending up too far from the wider society — both geographically and culturally — to have an influence on what is going on.

As a member of government, I would like to humbly state that this did not happen to me.

And I believe I know why.

Dalen is a vibrant community.

Growing up, I was active in the student council and in politics; I attended Sunday school and youth clubs; I took part in the marching band, football, the scouts, and a theatre group.

From a young age, I was included, I was heard, I was able to shape my local community.

And all of these things, in turn, helped shape me.

**

I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I had.

Later, I also realized that they did not come by themselves.

The vibrant life in Dalen was the result of political will—but also of thousands of hours of effort from adults who made sure that we, as young people, had places to go and things to do.

In other words: my opportunities existed because of people like you.

So today, when I have the privilege of standing before youth workers from across Europe, I would like to express my sincere thanks.

I want to say that we must never take you for granted — yet I fear that this is just what is happening in many countries.

Youth work is easily overlooked and deprioritized, especially in times of war and crisis.

But take it from me, as a politician and member of government: It is in uncertain times that we need the work you do.

Because we know this: When young people thrive and are taken seriously, they not only have a better upbringing — they develop a sense of ownership of where they come from.

Local communities become safer. Preparedness is strengthened. Democracy is strengthened.

Everyone benefits.

**

Society needs young people in order to develop and grow.

Youth participation lies at the heart of politics and at the heart of democracy.

When young people are included and their perspectives are taken seriously, we achieve more informed decisions, stronger communities, and greater trust between generations.

The right of children and young people to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives is a cornerstone of Norwegian democracy.

Since 2019, Norwegian municipalities and counties have been legally required to establish youth councils or similar participatory bodies. These structures ensure that young people have a voice in political processes that concern them.

However, there is still a need for more systematic efforts in competence development, structures, and legal frameworks to further strengthen youth participation. We need our children and young people to thrive in all arenas.

This is of great importance to me: youth participation is not an optional or secondary initiative.

It is a fundamental element of public policy and a condition for our collective success as a society.

**

This year’s conference focuses on young people living in rural municipalities on the outskirts of Europe.

As I mentioned earlier, it can be challenging to carry out youth work when you do not have the resources available in larger and more central municipalities.

This requires us to ask some key questions:

How can we make the very best of the situation we have?

How can youth workers ensure that young people thrive, grow, and feel a sense of belonging to the communities in which they live?

Youth work is at its best when it takes place simultaneously at all levels of society — from the very local to the national and international.

It’s beautiful how this year’s theme brings all three levels together in this room.

Young people and youth workers from the many small corners of Europe have come here to Northern Norway — and by traveling here, you become, just like me, representatives of both a small local community and a nation.

And together, we all represent Europe.

That last point is important. Because when we work internationally with youth work, we build bonds and solidarity across borders.

We inspire one another. 

We broaden our horizons, learn from each other, and ensure that youth work is held in high regard across all of Europe.

**

Dear everyone.

I hope you understand how important you are.

If not, I hope these days in Tromsø will help you realize it.

I wish you a successful conference with inspiring exchanges of experience and new connections across borders.

Thank you once again for the vital work you do for children and young people across Europe.

Thank you for your attention.