MunDuo at Vaikuttamo 2025: Creating Space for Youth to Speak

Fresh from completing her internship at Familia, Sabine Deutsch shares a snapshot of “Vaikuttamo 2025,” an Espoo‑wide event designed to amplify 9th‑graders’ voices and civic engagement. Representing our MunDuo project, Sabine invited more than a hundred teens to answer three simple questions about the future-- and their post‑it notes reveal what today’s youth want to change, how they plan to help, and who they hope will stand with them. From calls for lower voting ages to concerns over equality, safety, and affordable housing, their messages remind us why MunDuo exists: to give intercultural young people a space to be heard, supported, and inspired.

​Familia particapted at “Vaikkutamo 2025” in Espoo, which was held under the concept of Empowering Youth. The event took place on 28th of april in Otahalli in Espoo. It was organized for 9th grade students to provide a space and opportunities for them to participate in society as for influencing society and civic engagement. Familia was one of the 25 organizations to be invited by the Espoo Youth Council. Besides interactive exhibition stands, the event hosted speeches and panel discussions with parliamentary party representatives. As a highlight former president Sauli Niinistö participated in the event. He even took the time to get to know the different organisations and was available for a picture with the Familia representants. 

​Familia participated as an exhibitor with the MunDuo project, which aims to provide intercultural youth and young adults aged 13-25 with a space and activities to promote their well-being. MunDuo planned an interactive game for the youth to participate in reflecting and sharing opinions about planning their future. We asked three questions, which gave an impulse to think about future topics and what would need to change. The idea was to give the youth a voice to express what needs to be changed on a global and on the close environmental level. The first one was: “What needs to change?” The 2nd one: “What can you do yourself to implement change?” The 3rd question was: “Who could support in changing things?” The young people were asked to write their opinions or point of view on a post it. In the end we collected about 130 post-its with interesting statements in exchange for candies and stickers. We got the following feedbacks, concerns and wishes from the youngsters. 

​On a global level the youth were mostly concerned about Trumps appearance in a position of power, not so much about Putin and the Ukraine war. From the feedback we got I can point out that young people would like that the age limit to be able to vote would be lowered. Furthermore, racism and discrimination needs to be prevented, because youth is concerned about these topics and it needs to stop.

​Young people see problems with equality and are advocating for more equality and balance. Another topic mentioned was the safety. The world should be safe for all people around the world and water should be for free. Additionally, youth was concerned about a healthy nature and a better way of recycling. Another voice pointed out that menstrual hygiene products should be for free. 

However, the youth is concerned about poverty issues and were stating that taxes need to be lowered and housing is too expensive. In addition to that the youth would like to have more summer jobs available for them. In general, young people want to point out that the grown-ups need to listen more to them.
 
We got feedback about school and education. Besides the comments that education books and public transport to school should be free, youth are wishing for a better healthcare at school.

​The school food calls for improvement such as more nutrition and food choices according to the young people. In addition to that the 9th graders have the opinion that school should start later than 8 o´clock. 

Parents, teacher and therapeuts are the people who come to the young peoples mind when talking about support and help. Especially, having discussions with the parents in a safe space was severally mentioned. Young people could reflect on their own actions and could get help from people with big influence. Furthermore youth should be aware of their own attitude, and educate themselves.

​Parents and teachers are after all adults who are closest to the young people and should give them a space to be seen and heard. The goal of the event “Vaikuttamo 2025” was to create a collaborative, educational and inspiring space where young people can learn and reflect on their influence in politics society and student well-being.

The reason I wanted to write the Blog post about the event, was that I wanted to make the voices of the young people heard. It is important that all the opinions, worries and wishes are made visible and do not disappear in a black hole. I am grateful for the experience to hear and read what young people are concerned about.

Written by sabine deutsch