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1. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

2. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

Within Structured Dialogue at local level, every year happens more than 20 consultations with young people.

Method used: Coffee with politicians – meeting of young people and decision makers

What is it?

"Coffee with politicians" is a method whose main purpose is to promote the dialogue between young people and decision-makers (Members, local government officials, heads of institutions).

Creating a dialogue between young people and decision-makers at different levels is essential to create an environment and an area where an open and engaged dialogue is possible on what is essential for everyone involved. "Coffee with the politicians" is a Swedish-based, participatory approach adapted to Latvia, which aims to give young people and politicians an opportunity to meet, meet and discuss issues that are of interest to young people in a prudent and pleasant environment. For young people, this is often the first opportunity to directly and directly address decision-makers, tell about issues of importance to them and ask questions, while politicians have the opportunity to hear about the youth of the "primary" - the young man himself.

How is it going

"Coffee with the politicians" is a specially organized and prepared afternoon where young people and decision makers meet on coffee and tea cups to discuss a particular topic, listen to each other's views and create new ideas or solutions to existing problems together.

"Coffee with politicians" is a platform for informal talks in a free atmosphere, in which everyone speaks with each other as similar to a similar one. Negotiations are moderated (one leader) and structured (various discussion methods are used, such as world caffee, open discussion, etc.).

 

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

The European Youth Forum is a platform of youth organisations in Europe. The forum represents over 100 youth organisations, which bring together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe. The Forum aims to empower young people to participate actively in society to improve their own lives by representing and advocating their needs and interests and those of their organisations.

The Forum aims to: 

• involve a large number of youth and youth organisations in social projects and  decision-making processes;
• impact policies affecting young people and partners within international partners such as the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations;
• encourage policy-makers to take into account young people's concerns in all policy fields;
• build sustainable, independent youth organisations, both nationally and internationally, by insisting on adequate funding;
• encourage young people living in different countries and in different environments to listen to each other and to appreciate the ideas and experiences they express;
• support the understanding of different cultures, democracy, dignity, diversity, human rights, active civic participation and solidarity;
• promote youth work elsewhere in the world.

The National Youth Council of Latvia is a full member of the European Youth Forum. In 2019 and 2020 the National Youth Council of Latvia participated in four European Youth Forum member meetings.

EU Youth Dialogue

The EU Youth Dialogue (previously called the Structured Dialogue) aims to make young people’s voices heard in the European policy-making processes. The goal is to create a dialogue between young people and youth organisations with policy- and decision-makers, as well as experts, researchers and other members of civil society.