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Norway and Dunfermline young people strengthen ties with
Parliament visit to 'Ken Mair'
A group of Norwegian young people and their Dunfermline hosts
visited the Scottish Parliament on Friday 12th August as part of their
visit to Dunfermline to develop their understanding of youth
participation and influence in representative democracy.
The visitors from Trondheim in Norway are in Scotland as part of an
EC funded Youth Democracy Project named 'Ken Mair – Jor Mair'–
meaning 'Know More – Do More' in Norwegian – developed by the
Trondheim Youth City Council in collaboration with the Dunfermline
Trondheim Twinning Association, St Columbas RC High School and
the Sor Trondelag County Youth Council.
The links between Dunfermline and Trondheim began in 1945 with
the aim of creating bonds between young people to secure a lasting
peace. In the twenty-first century, links between the two cities are
kept up through social networking sites such as Facebook as well
as the exchange visits.
As part of their visit to the parliament, the group met with Mid
Scotland and Fife MSP John Park, who welcomed the chance to
meet with the budding leaders of the future and help them Ken Mair.
Exercising their democratic nous and perhaps practising for
potential future roles in politics, the young people from Dunfermline
and Trondheim made a joint statement following their visit:
“Our two countries are at different stages in the development of
youth democracy, and there is much that can be learned from both.
Youth are the future, and events of this summer tell us that
involvement and participation of youth in making that future is more
important than ever. The meeting with John Park MSP helped to
give us insights into how improvements can be made.”
Also speaking after their visit to the Parliament, Labour MSP John
Park said:
“It's not only very impressive that young people are taking a lead on
strengthening links between Trondheim and Dunfermline but
humbling too. These young people are a great example to not only
their peers but all ages through their desire to get involved in local
democracy and engage with society for its betterment.
“I very much look forward to finding out what they've learnt from the
exchange programme and how that can be built on.”
Ken Mair - Jør Meir
An EC funded Youth Democracy Project developed by the Trondheim Youth City Council in collaboration with
the Dunfermline Trondheim Twinning Association, St Columbas RC High School, and the Sor Trondelag
County Youth Council
Project aims
The main aim of the proposed project is to enable young people in Trondheim and Dunfermline, to
develop and deepen their understanding of youth participation and influence in representative
democracy. This will create opportunities to learn from each other’s experiences, promote good
practice and develop means of extending active involvement in public decision making.
The Action Plans developed and implemented will have a positive impact on both young people and
the wider community.
Participants will be actively involved and influence the project decisions at every stage thus enabling
them to undertake a fuller role in their community and deepen their understanding of the partner
countries. Together they will work to shape the Europe of tomorrow.
Background
Trondheim and Dunfermline are twinned cities. “The Bond of Friendship” between the two cities is
the oldest one in Europe, stretching back to May 6th 1945. The twinning was initiated by youth, and
one of the main focuses of the cooperation has been the creation of bonds between youth to secure
a lasting peace. In October 2009 representatives from The Youth City Council in Trondheim were
invited to attend a book launch in Dunfermline to mark the publication of a text celebrating the
twinning of the cities. During their stay the representatives met with a member of the Scottish Youth
Parliament as well as students and teachers from St. Columba’s High School. Informal links
continued to be maintained through social media - email and Facebook.
In January 2010 a meeting took place in Trondheim, involving representatives of the Dunfermline
and Trondheim twinning associations, Trondheim Kommune, a local school and Trondheim Youth
City Council. From this meeting the idea of a Democracy Project arose which would build on the
existing relationships and develop the Bond of Friendship. This meeting and subsequent period of
initial investigation, in both Trondheim and Dunfermline, culminated in the arrangement of a
Feasibility Meeting of all 4 partners in August 2010. At this meeting the project proposal was
completed and this was granted funding by the EEC shortly afterwards.
Project Outline
- Feasibility meeting and planning of project details, in Trondheim.
- Activity 1 Investigation of current practice by partners in both Trondheim and Dunfermline, and
production of an Introductory Paper.
- Activity 2 Visit to Dunfermline. 10th - 16th August 2011
a.Presentation of Introductory Papers and related activities.
b.Opportunities to observe democratic processes and active citizenship, from local to national level.
c. Decisions on aspects for further development in the partner areas (Action Project).
d.Review of progress to date and preparation of Interim Evaluation Paper.
- Activity 3 Work with Action Projects in partner areas and preparation of Interim Progress Reports.
- Activity 4 Visit to Trondheim. Mid October 2011
a. Presentation of Interim Progress Reports and related activities.
b. Opportunities to observe democratic processes and active citizenship, from local to national level.
c. Decisions on aspects for further development in the partner areas, including dissemination and
exploitation of results.
d.Review of progress and preparation of Final Evaluation Paper, and action plan to tackle key issues
- Activity 5 Evaluation meeting in Dunfermline -December 2011
- to implement action plan agreed in Trondheim and prepare Final
Report, in Dunfermline.
Programme for visit by Trondheim Group for Youth Democracy Project
Wednesday 10th August
10.20am! Visitors arrive at Edinburgh Airport and travel to Dunfermline
Lunch with Dunfermline participants.
18.00!Reception in Dunfermline City Chambers with meal
Welcome by Joe Rosiejack, Chair of Dunfermline Area Committee, and Ishbel Ritchie, Convener, DTTA
Meal
Introductions and brief presentations from visitors and hosts on thoughts at the start of the visit.
Thursday 11th August
10.00am! Meeting in City Chambers with Cllr Douglas Chapman, Strategic Chair: Education &
Children's Services Committee of Fife Council - Youth Involvement in Fife and others
12.30pm! Lunch at Abbot House followed by tour of Abbot House and Abbey
6.30pm! Meals with hosts
Friday 12th August
Visit to Edinburgh including visit to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to learn about Scottish political
processes at national level. Meeting with John Park MSP.
Saturday 13th August
Townhill Gala. Participate in Gala parade and meet gala organisers.
Sunday 14th August
Visit and meetings in Culross.
Monday 15th August
10.00am - 12.30pm Morning Meeting in the City Chambers to!
! ! ! - review experiences
- consider plans for between now and next visit
- prepare for afternoon meeting
12.30pm! Lunch at Abbot House
1.30pm ! Meeting with Frances Melville, Provost of Fife at City Chambers
2.00pm! Meeting in City Chambers to share what has been learned with some of those that
attended the opening reception
Tuesday 16th August
Taxi/minibus to the airport
11.10! Flight leaves Edinburgh
Participants in the Dunfermline visit are:
Daniel King, Niamh Mussen, Jennifer Scott, Shaughney Keir from St Columbas RC High School
Callum OʼDonnell, Alex Wilson from Dunfermline Trondheim Twinning Association
Oliver Wahlquist, Gjertrud Langaas, Maren Malvik, Siri Arnesen, Ellen Reitan Sundet from Trondheim
Youth City Council
Ørjan Strømmen, Antonie Braa, Håkon Vetlesen from Sor Trondelag Youth County Council
Tor Erik Munkvold, Sor Trondelag County Youth Officer
Bente Ressell Krogstad, Secretary to the Mayor and consultant for the Youth City Council in
Trondheim Kommune
May Iren Skamfer Evenmo, Coordinator, Trondheim Youth City Council
Christina Melville, Teacher at St Columbaʼs RC High School
Jan Bagnall and Gifford Lind, Dunfermline Trondheim Twinning Association
Contact Gifford Lind 01383 729673 or 07702 624312 |
