The South Saami people have a rich history and heritage. At the same time, the South Saami population in Norway and Sweden is facing numerous challenges posed by the modern world, including safeguarding linguistic and cultural heritage. In addition to a stronger regional and national focus on South Saami interests, it is crucial to improve European stakeholders’ knowledge on South Saami challenges and raise awareness on how European cooperation and development may help strengthen the position and interests of the South Saami people. During our seminar, we aim to explore, amongst others, the following questions:
What is the South Saami youth doing to revitalise their own language and how do they view the future of South Saami cultural heritage?
What are the barriers that need to be overcome in order to ensure high-quality primary, secondary and higher education in and on endangered minority languages?
How do language, culture, lifestyle and traditional professions, such as reindeer herding, fit into a modern perspective?
How can European cooperation ensure stronger safeguarding initiatives for indigenous people and minorities?
The topic Youth and Faith in the Future is especially interesting in the wake of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s 2021 State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech, where she announced that 2022 will be the year of European Youth. Through the event, we hope to remind European decision-makers that both 2022 and all subsequent years should be dedicated to empowering and facilitating the lives of all European youth, particularly those of vulnerable indigenous and minority groups.
We invite you to read the full seminar programme below.
The event will be followed by a digital project workshop on Erasmus+ organised by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HKDIR). The workshop will be focusing particularly on South Saami opportunities in Erasmus+ and on social inclusion, and will be available to any stakeholder, organisation or people interested in exploring these topics. Please be aware that this workshop will be held in Norwegian only.
Programme:
Knowledge development through European cooperation
10.00: Opening speech - National support to the South Saami youth
H.E. Mr. Per Strand Sjaastad, Deputy Head of the Mission of Norway to the EU and Norway's ambassador to Belgium
10.10: Exploring innovative ways to safeguard European cultural minorities
Håvard Tangvik, Director of the Mid-Norway European Office
10.20: Setting the scene - South Saami youth facing opportunities in a modern world