Photo by: Bilan Yusuf
Our journalism team, at UNYA, previously published an article on the phenomenon known as youthwashing, where we delved into a few examples and techniques used by organizations and brands to appear ‘youthful’. This article is a more positive follow-up, showcasing an actual example of a youth-led and orientated organization, and their summit that three UNYA representatives attended. This organization is known as Regeneration 2030.
What is Regeneration 2030?
Regeneration 2030 was founded with the intention of mobilizing youth movements in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions, surrounding themes of sustainable consumption and production. The foundation provides different platforms for youth individuals, but also youth-orientated organizations, to network, build relationships and skills. Originally founded as Project Regeneration in 2017 by the Nordic Council of Ministers, Regeneration 2030 transformed in 2020, to an independent fully youth-led organization, with its name emphasizing the need to change “the system” before 2030. Regeneration 2030 seeks to strive for an economy focused on human needs, while maintaining principles of care, equality and planetary boundaries, writing on their website “we no longer want to accept the exploitation of people and the planet along with rising inequalities.”
Why the year 2030?
The significance of the year 2030 is due to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which are set to be achieved in the next six years, with 2030 also marking the deadline for maintaining global heating temperatures under 1.5°C. As of right now, we are set to fail reaching these goals, hence the great need to combine, coordinate our efforts, and reach out to those in power in an attempt to succeed. As Regeneration 2030 writes, “that’s why, we, the region’s youth, are fighting for radical change right now so we can achieve the 2030 goals, and keep our region habitable for all.”
What is Regeneration Week
Regeneration Week was first held in 2021 and is now an annual summit that is self-described as “the pinnacle of all the activities within the umbrella of the movement.” The summit serves as a meeting place for young activists in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region to partake in learning and sharing strategies, knowledge, and experience about climate action. The theme of this year’s Regeneration Week was: Rethink, Reimagine, Reclaim. Where participants were invited to engage in a variety of programs to think about the drivers of the climate crisis, imagine alternative sustainable systems and how to transition to those. The discussions would accumulate in the creation and subsequent democratic adoption by the participants in an Open Letter to the regional and national leaders of the Nordic and Baltic Sea Region. The summit is held in Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands, located in between the mainland of Finland and Sweden.
The Significance of Åland
Åland is a very interesting region, with over 6000 islands, the region is considered to be a part of Finland, but the national language is Swedish. The region is also a significant militarily strategic position and for that reason, as well as its language minority status, Åland is both demilitarized and autonomous. This means that no army is allowed in the region under international law and that Åland has its own parliament and makes its own laws to a certain extent, giving it a rather unique status, history and inspiring political reforms. Åland is also known for its great efforts towards sustainability, such as with the ‘Everybody can flourish’ concept. This concept embodies the aspirational future where no one is left behind, “and humanity has achieved peace within ourselves, with each other and with the rest of nature.” Since its inception eight years ago, the idea has been implemented throughout the society of Åland to varying degrees of success, but it showcases the ambition of this region as well as its significance and strives towards a sustainable future. Regeneration 2030 has incorporated elements of this concept, stating: We have a right to imagine a future where everyone can flourish. And fight to reclaim it.
The UNYA Experience of Regeneration Week 2024: A Personal Reflection
As I sat down to write this part of the article, I found myself struggling on where to begin, as the few days spent in Åland were jam packed with experiences. The schedule was filled from 9 am to 10 pm with activities of all kinds. From panel discussions involving climate activists, politicians, experts, and representatives, to workshops revolving around donut economics, sustainability, activism, to even sensory hikes through the beautiful landscape of Åland or even how our ability to play lets us reconnect to nature. Whichever parts of climate action you were most intrigued by, the political aspects, the logistical or the spiritual, there were events for you. There were also dictated times for “fun” activities, such as Music Bingo, which, to the surprise of even ourselves, the UNYA representatives won, or a night spent learning various folk dances from Åland to a varying degrees of success.
Out of all these activities and events, I am always drawn back to the first day. Namely, the opening session done by one Kasper Bjørkskov, which set the tone for the rest of the week. Kasper works as the head of innovation at EFFEKT Architects, a Danish design and research studio. While Kasper did discuss his interesting work, such as “Living Places” (a project to showcase it was possible to build houses that reduced CO2 emissions without increasing expenses), what really resonated with me were his words of assurance. Kasper placed a large amount of emphasis on addressing the participants and assuring us that “it is not our fault.”
With the ever looming climate crisis and subsequent growing ‘polycrisis’, there have been growing phenomenons known as “climate anxiety” and “climate guilt”. Research showcases that over 60% of young people experience negative emotions due to climate change, with 26% saying that environmental concerns have affected their happiness as well as their sleep. When dealing with stressful, heavy, and frankly depressing, topics of the seeming inability of corporations and governments to care for our collective future and well-being, it is refreshing as well as assuring to hear those words: “It’s not your fault.” As the generation facing these challenges, and the generation who will deal with the consequences, one can easily feel overwhelmed and hopeless. Kasper’s words reflected the attitude of Regeneration Week. While there was, of course, emphasis on doing more as a whole, there was even more emphasis on how climate change was not your fault. The mindset was that doing what we can was enough. I cannot express how refreshing of a mindset that was.
By the Youth and For the Youth!
Unlike the examples given in our previous article, Regeneration 2030 makes it crystal clear that is it a youth-led and focused organization. Regeneration 2030 walks the talk by putting great effort in ensuring attendants are able to participate. During Regeneration Week, various youth and climate orientated organisations in the Nordic and Baltic region were invited, with their travel and accommodation paid for. This was also an option for individuals who wished to attend, if they volunteered to help with various aspects of the event, their travel and accommodation was also paid for, ensuring that those who had the time, were able to make it, regardless of financial circumstances.
During the adoption of the Open Letter, participants regardless of background, ethnicity, gender etc. were able to discuss and make suggestions of changes or additions to the Open Letter, that were then democratically accepted or rejected. The only requirement for voting was that you were between the ages of 18 and 30. The voting was a, to be frank, strenuous process that took up a large portion of the day, with the voting needing a pause for other events and dinner, causing several participants to not attend the second half, and I believe improvements can be made to streamline the voting for next year. However, the hearts of the board of Regeneration 2030, as well as all the panellists, work-shoppers, and attendees are in the right place.
The Open Letter is set to reach its recipients prior to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in November, time will tell how seriously our efforts will be taken and if, at all, implemented.
Regeneration Week 2025 is set to be held next year in August. Will you be there?