The G200 Opening Ceremony - Plenary Session: Perceiving Happiness Presentations

April 7, 2016

The G200 Opening Ceremony - Plenary Session: Perceiving Happiness Presentations

Professional psychologists and authors open the G200 youth forum’s main discussion topic of perceiving happiness in the Opening ceremony, drawing on their own research and giving a taste of what’s to come in the Forum workshops.

Continuing on from last year's G200 forum, and into this year's 2016 event, is the discussion topic of "perceiving happiness". Academics, students and business leaders will attempt to answer the question: what is happiness? How can we define such a vague term, one that evokes so many different connotations, and not only apply it to the individual, but to society as a whole? Moreover, what can businesses and governments do to ensure the happiness of their employees and citizens? And finally, what can we as individuals do to ensure our own personal happiness? It is these thought-provoking questions that five academics and professionals from all different backgrounds and career sectors have begun to tackle today, during the Summit's opening ceremony, and will continue to tackle throughout the week.  

Dr Veet Ruunhoven kicked off the debate, asking us to consider how we can provide "greater happiness" for a greater number of people. A professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Dr Ruunhoven specialises in social psychology, and leads a course on the social conditions of human happiness at the University. He is equally undertaking a research programme as a professor at North-West University in South Africa, and acts as Director to the "World Database of Happiness" and editor of the "Journal of Happiness studies". All in all, he's an expert in this field.  

To begin, he discusses how the idea of happiness for a large number of people is often rejected as unrealistic, and even impossible. The human condition, many argue, prevents us from ever being fully satisfied. Many claim that we can’t get any happier than we are now – as even with the comfortable, convenience lifestyles most developed countries provide, lots of people are still unhappy. Equally, should "happiness" as a concept, an emotion, even be planned and promoted by governments and businesses at all? Although many of these ideas are relevant and can be considered, Dr Ruunhoven sustains that happiness can be furthered by improving the liveability of societies and strengthening life abilities of individuals. Society cannot ensure the happiness of individuals, but it can help people make informed and wise decisions which will in turn encourage personal growth and long-term satisfaction.  

The next speaker, Chris Skellett, then continues the conversation with the idea that a fulfilling life requires balance between pleasure and achievement. A self-employed clinical psychologist and author, Skellett argues that a person not only needs regular pleasure in the moment but also purposeful goals and something to strive for. Most people lean towards one or the other: pleasure in the now: laughing and having fun, or personal development and achievement, working towards your personal goals. At any extreme of this spectrum you will encounter problems: depressive stagnation or stress. This spectrum, he explains, can also be applied to society. Some cultures love to celebrate their own identity colourfully, live happily, playfully and connected through a mutual joy. Other cultures are more focused on collective goals and achievements as a society, working together in a shared sense of purposeful direction. Skellett describes how we should aim to find a balance of pleasure and ambition, not only in our personal lives, but collectively.

The idea of individual vs group happiness is then led seamlessly on by Miriam Akhtar, a positive psychologist and one of the UK’s leading practitioners of the science. Number one expert to contribute to the World Book of Happiness (presented to world leaders by the EU President), she has also published a bestselling self help book and set up wellbeing programmes across England for substance-abusing young people. All actions that have blessed her with the title of "happiness champion" in her hometown of Bristol. Akhtar shifts the conversation on from happiness as a social aim to happiness as a personal state. She believes we need to change the perception we have of happiness – as something to be acquired from the outside – to the way we see things. We often think to be happy we need to gain things – success we achieve, money we earn, the things we buy, relationships we form or knowledge we gain. Yet Akhtar suggests how, to be happy, we need to want what we already have rather than strive for something new. She introduces two psychological terms to us: Hedonia and Eudaimonia. We often think of Hedonia when we think of happiness: short term moments of joy. Yet it is limited; and a deeper level of satisfaction can be found through Eudaimonia: acting in accordance with your life values and what you believe to be the meaning of life. Long term satisfaction rather than short term joy. Akhtar then finishes her piece explaining how the individual can "make a habit" out of happiness and contribute positively to their own mental health. The 21st century epidemic of depression should be healed by natural remedies and methods rather than solely tackled by therapy and medication.

Next to further the discussion was Ms. Nkandu Beltz, a social change-maker, philanthropist, speaker and author who has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years. She urges young leaders to strive for a balanced perception of the world, and distinguish happiness as gratifying hedonism (pleasure) from long term virtues. In a world that has become extremely materialistic, often we forget the second category. She emphasises the need for change and impact for young people in communities; as in even the most developed countries such as Australia, suicide rates and depression are some of the highest in the world. Working together to form meaningful, positive relationships instead of focusing on personal pleasure is a step towards a happier and less lonely society.  

The final speaker, Bridget Glenville-Cleave then took to the stage to further the discussion, considering different "types" of happiness. Now Director of "Workmad", Glenville graduated in psychology, has written three books on the subject, and founded several psychology organisations. Happiness, she explains, can be understood at three different levels: - the subjective level, the individual level, and the group level. Since the Positive Psychology movement was founded in the USA in 1998, the emphasis in the developed world has been on the first two; thus, what makes the individual person happy. And perhaps we should focus more on our own personal happiness. Glenville explains how research has shown that economic wealth does not greatly alter happiness levels. Increase in income, above a relatively low level, does not greatly affect well-being. Therefore the traditional method of judging a nation's happiness and progress on their economic status, for example through their GDP, is inefficient. As a result many governments are adopting the view that happiness emphasised as the way we think and feel about our lives is more relevant. Adapting public policy to this idea will render it more meaningful, and in turn, society will be a better place. However Glenville affirms that "happiness" led policy can only do so much for individuals and that it begins with our contribution: well-being must be bottom-up as well as top-down.  

The session ended with a Q&A session with students who posed challenging and stimulating questions to the panelists. The happiness discussions will continue throughout the week with several speakers holding workshops for participants based on their specific research and expertise.

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G200 Youth Forum Press Office
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikova, G200 Association Founder and President
April, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikova, G200 Association Founder and President
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikova, G200 Association Founder and President
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Mr. Wolfgang Bauer, Deputy Mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Welcomes Participants
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Dr. Yan-Emmanuel De Neve, University College London, presenting The Economics of Human Well-Being
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Dr. Song Yan, Jacobs University, presenting Perceiving Happiness across Cultures
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Dr. Klaus Boehnke, Jacobs University, presenting Societal Cohesion: The Pathway to Global Happiness?
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Dr. Klaus Schoemann, Jacobs University, presenting Happiness: Interaction of Biology, Psychology and Social Context
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Q & A Section
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Q & A Section
Plenary Session Perceiving Happiness, Q & A Section
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Opening Ceremony, Group Photo
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries? Ms. Iris Nxumalo, Intern Lecturer, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Group Leader Representing Professors
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries? Ms. Natalia Nikiforova, Senior-Lecturer, St-Petersburg Polytechnic University, Russia, Joint Session Chair
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries? Ms. Elena Shumeyko, Manager of the International Office, ITMO University, Russia Analyst
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries?
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries? Mr. Julien Rosendahl, Student of Griffith University, Australia, Group Leader Representing Students
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 2 What Lessons Should G20 Countries Learn from Developing Countries?
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 1 Perceiving Happiness
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 1 Perceiving Happiness
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Joint Session 1 Perceiving Happiness
Welcome Champaigne before the Classical Concert
Welcome Champaigne before the Classical Concert
Classical Concert, Oleg Weinstein, pianist, soloist, and professor of N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory playing Tchaikovsky
Classical Concert, Timur Abdikeyev, opera soloist, State Academic Mariinsky Theatre, performing Aria of Prince Galitzky from Knyaz Igor by Alexander Borodin
G200 Youth Forum Classical Concert
G200 Youth Forum Classical Concert
G200 Youth Forum Classical Concert
G200 Youth Forum Official Opening Gala Dinner, Martin Kloss, master of ceremonies, and Werdenfelser Salonorchester Jazz Band
G200 Youth Forum Official Opening Gala Dinner
Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikoa, G200 Association Founder and President and Dr. Asaad Al Asaad, Director of Student Activity Administration of Al Yamamah University, presenting Silver Angel Award to Dr. Robyn Sampson, Research Fellow of Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikoa and Dr. Asaad Al Asaad presenting Silver Angel Award to Ms. Sofie Joosen, member of Flemish Parliament, Belgium
Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikoa and Dr. Asaad Al Asaad presenting Silver Angel Award to Mr Daniel Tkaczuk, student of Deakin University, Australia
G200 Youth Forum Official Opening Gala Dinner, Werdenfelser Salonorchester Jazz Band
G200 Youth Forum Official Opening Gala Dinner
G200 Youth Forum Official Opening Gala Dinner
Conference, Round Table II Law and Human Rights
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Conference Platform
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Conference Platform
G200 Youth Forum 2015, Conference Platform
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Hon. Sibusiso Innocent Malaza, Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, South Africa, Committee Chair
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Hon. Hon. Cleopas Maunye and Hon. Ayanda Tshabalala, Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, South Africa
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Ms. Sofie Joosen, Member of Flemish Parliament, Belgium, Committee Secretary General
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Hon. Maruping Lekwene, Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, South Africa, and Senator Daniel Ruiz, Mexico
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Hon. Sofie Stanfley, Member of Nothern Cape Provincial Legislature, South Africa
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Hon. Ayanda Tshabalala, Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, South Africa
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate, Ms. Sofie Joosen, Member of Flemish Parliament, Belgium, Committee Secretary General
International Young Parliamentarians` Debate
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference Platform, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations, Mr. Vlad Wulff, Management Associate, Nikosax A/S, Denmark
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations, Dr. Roula Inglezi-Lotz, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations, Ms. Alexandra Coelli, Student of Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Conference, Round Table III World Politics and International Relations
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Stephanie Kelch-Oncken, a local artist, guiding the participants
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness
Happiness by Mr. Emiliano Edera, member of Trieste Regional Council, sculptor and artist, Italy
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness, Collective Masterpiece
Creating a Picture of the World of Tomorrow and Happiness, Parade of Pictures
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Dr. Thomas Sinclair, University of Cyprus, Head of Secretaries of the G20 Youth Summit
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, G20 Youth Summit Healthcare through Ecologial Edication Committee and its Secretary General Gavyn Tellis, PWC Australia, Presenting their Recommendations
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Ms. Iris Nxumalo, Student of the University of Pretoria, Secretary General of the Social Security Committee of the G20 Youth Summit
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Mr. Bradley Kalgovas, Adjunct Academic of the University of South Wales, AUustralia, Chair and Secretary General of the Future of Science Committee of the G20 Youth Summit
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Mr. Alejandro Leon Ramirez, Student of Metropolitan Autonomus University, Mexico
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Hon. Sibusiso Innocent Malaza, Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature, South Africa, Chair of International Young Parliamentarians` Debate Committee
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Official Closing Ceremony, Ms. Ksenia Khoruzhnikova, G200 Association Founder and President
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Participants Wearing Bavarian Dresses
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Alphornblaeser Band Playing Alphornes
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Alphornblaeser Band Conducting Alphorn Class for Participants
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Werdenfelser Salonorchester Jazz Band
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Werdenfelser Salonorchester Jazz Band
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Werdenfelser Salonorchester Jazz Band
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Klaudia and Franz Pittrich Performing Tirol National Dances
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Klaudia and Franz Pittrich Conducting Tirol Dance Class for Participants
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Klaudia and Franz Pittrich Conducting Tirol Dance Class for Participants
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Klaudia and Franz Pittrich Conducting Tirol Dance Class for Participants
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Participants from India Conducting a Class of Indian Dances
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night
Closing Gala Dinner and Bavarian Night, Group Photo
G200 Youth Forum 2015 Final Results Presentation

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Testimonials

Bongiwe Pricilla Mbinqo-Gigaba
Member of Parliament, South Africa
Bongiwe Pricilla Mbinqo-Gigaba

It’s a great opportunity for young parliamentarians all over the world to meet and share views of how to deal with issues in different places.

As a participant of G20 Youth Forum I’ve got information from others, what views, what people are doing, how best can we practice in our places and how we can improve our society.

It was a good experience and I think for next Forums it will be better to get more countries to share their ideas together.

Jenny Mikakos
Member of Parliament, Australia
Jenny Mikakos

I think the main purpose of the G20 Youth Forum is to bring together students, academics and young parliamentarians around the world to share ideas as to how we can make a better world. It is very important to have an understanding of the views of each social group fora successful policy.

It has been a very successful Forum. I wish to congratulate the organizers. I thought it was very interesting to be able to learn more from my colleagues at the International Young Parliamentarians’ Debate about the respective nations and native societies. We have decided many important questions and we will try to implement them in our countries.

Liv Holm Andersen
Member of Parliament, Denmark
Liv Holm Andersen

I expected to come here, to share a lot of ideas with representatives from parliaments and also from academic institutions. First of all I met some incredible people and second of all most importantly I got a lot of inspiration on my field which is social issues.

In our section we have very interesting papers and point of views. The greatest thing is to notice how really different systems and societies we representing. And at the same time we can agree on so many goals and aims for this world and for our countries to work on together. And that is very incredible, great.

I hope that Denmark will make really priority and send more not only MP but also representatives from local parliaments and more Universities because I think it’s a great opportunity to our young parliamentarians, youth and students to be inspired and to inspire others.

Maria Magdalena Matthys
Member of Parliament, South Africa
Maria Magdalena Matthys

I think it’s a very good cause for young people. In my vision the purpose of G20 Youth Forum is to encourage young people to learn and educate themselves, to unit them. I also think that it’s good opportunity for academics to come and share their experience. And also for young parliamentarians to be an example for the countries, they can encourage more youth, young people to participate in this program.

I talked about professionalism of women in South Africa and I’ve learnt a lot from other countries about agenda issues.

Alvin Botes
Member of the Executive Council, South Africa
Alvin Botes

One of the objective things of G20 Youth Forum is to insure a comprehension of network, to exchange intellectual and societal ideas among current youth leaders, formal youth leaders and those working on the youth agenda across the world.

One of my colleagues on the International Young Parliamentarians’ Debate presented me kangaroo – I’m from South Africa, I was in Russia and received an Australian kangaroo. It’s the exchange of ideas and network. So this little kangaroo symbolizes this.

It’s a good platform for intellectual debate and it should be held annually.

Bing Ren
Professor, Nankai University, China
Bing Ren

According to my understanding, G8 and G20 originally focused on the finances and economic issues. But through out of the years and particularly my personal participation this time I think the issue animation becomes broader than that. It is not only economy and finance, but social issues, environmental issues and arts, history. Very different areas comes together to discuss and make dialogue together.

I hope to involve myself in different kinds of platforms – I can speak out my opinion and suggestions – that makes my exchange here more meaningful.
I work in education, I pay attention to educating young people – so I find a lot of common problems around the world. That makes me inspired with the idea that we should participate in these meetings and thanks to G8 and G20 Alumni Association for inviting me hear.

And the other impressive thing is: I think G20 Youth Forum have made great efforts in organizing many people together and try to collect the ideas and also to make this activities more interesting and alive. That is also good impression for me.

Shinya Hanaoka
Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Shinya Hanaoka

When I go back to Japan I would like to inform about G20 Youth Forum other faculty members, also international division of our University. Then I will recommend some students from our faculty to join this Forum over the next two years.

Xinghua Liu
Assistant Professor, Nankai University, China
Xinghua Liu

This is very famous, impressive and huge youth forum, and also well organized. My first impression was that we can meet with different people from other countries. There are different cultures, different national dresses – for me it is good experience to meet new people from all over the world.

G20 Youth Forum is very good instrument for public all over the world in different countries to learn about G20, especially for the young leaders and youth elites in different countries. I think it will play very important role in the media, in the mobilization, press mobilization in different countries.

Hai Tao Huang
Lecturer of Zhou Enlai School of Government, Nankai University, China
Hai Tao Huang

Firstly, it’s very precious experience for me. I can meet people all around the world more than 60 countries. It’s very good opportunity to speak with them and to exchange ideas. And, secondly, communications is not enough – we can understand each other and then we can understand ideas of the whole world; especially I’m very happy to see that the future young leaders they gather together. This may be a good guarantee for the development of the world. They have fresh ideas – and this is very important.

Marçal Avelino Salazar Marques Mendes
Jurist, University of Minho, Portugal
Marçal Avelino Salazar Marques Mendes

The purpose of the Forum is very well constructed. I think it makes us like a prototype of government. It develops a capacity of communicating with people and with some ministers and with the government itself. It’s important for participants that they go home and make there some kind of experiments and be reasonable and capable to understand the solution to each country and for the whole world.

Connell Wise
Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive, United States Youth Chamber of Commerce, USA
Connell Wise

In my understanding of the main purpose of G20 Youth Forum it is the international cooperation between different countries of the world to basically bring a global understanding how the leaders economic and financial crisis are facing in the world and how to avoid those crisises.

Meaghan Anne Williams
Teaching Assistant, Queen's University, Canada
Meaghan Anne Williams

The networking opportunity is incredible and it’s very encouraging to meet young people from all over the world who are interested to talk in same kinds of issues, answering the same kinds of problems, working together, collaborating. Not just making new friends but hopefully making new peers, colleagues to work in these issues in future.

The conference has been incredible for learning more about what the academic world can do to facilitate change in the real world. Sometimes academia is so theoretical that you lose sight of what is actually going on. But this conference has proved that there are a number of individual academics working to harmonize that view.

Melina Djulancic
J.D. Candidate, University of Manitoba, Canada
Melina Djulancic

It is the nice opportunity to get together with the young people from around the world. For me it’s important that people discussing their ideas. Our group was concentrating on the young entrepreneurships and all important things around this field. Basically entrepreneurship in schools is one of our recommendations and easier access to capital for businesses.

Abraham Johannes Swanepoel
Student, North-West University, South Africa
Abraham Johannes Swanepoel

Thinking that we are the future leaders of tomorrow G20 Youth Forum gives as an opportunity to start to get used to discuss things, used to live in them and exchanging points of view with other people.

I think it is awesome opportunity just to meet other people, get up different points of view from different countries. As I’m from South Africa and we are still developing country to get point of views that is from developed countries. It gives me lot of knowledge that you can take back to your country and try to employ it in your country system.

Aya Fujita
Student, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Aya Fujita

G20 Youth Forum is: A lot of people from international society build a partnership, leadership and friendship.

I got a lot of intellectual involvements, we discussed about health care, child care and women empowerment. Each country has different background and situation; it’s very great to know about what country has the same and which are different.

Fei Yang Qi
MA Student, University of Birmingham, UK
Fei Yang Qi

The main purpose of G20 Youth Forum is young leaders working together and think about how to push the world by the small steps.

I think there are a lot of benefits in participating in G20 Youth Forum, for example team work variety, especially to make others think about your points and change your views in discussions.

Floris Busscher
Student, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Floris Busscher

I think the main purpose at our level – at a Youth Summits and at a Conference, is to bring together young people with ideas, with creativities and with innovations. To bring together, to exchange ideas and maybe together come to enhance ideas to create a synergy between the creativity of young people. Opportunities is to meet always amazing young people which enhance your network in international level and also to be inspired by people from other countries and to increase and enhance your own prospective, how you see things in a multinational way with different cultures and different political system influencing its positions.

The most interesting moment is an Opening Ceremony – lovely discussion between people from all different kinds of fields, from different countries who exchange ideas on education which is of course the kind of thing that applies to all of us. So to see it and try to feel the G20 spirit on the ceremony was the highlight.

Italo Ribeiro Alves
Student, President of the International Business Society, Quinnipiac University, Brazil
Italo Ribeiro Alves

One on my career paths that I have been potentially exploring will be diplomacy. I believe that dialoging with young people from all other the world I can practice my cultural and communicational skills and learn how to debate and understand the social issues.

Lindsay Ann Markle
Student, Purdue University, USA
Lindsay Ann Markle

The purpose of the Forum is to exchange ideas between other countries. It’s such a unique opportunity because everyone here comes with an open mind and it’s really interesting learn about other cultures. It’s really a unique experience – I’m really glad I came here.

I expected to hear different prospectives about government’s role and society and it met my expectations.

Megan Eleri David
Student, Cardiff University, UK
Megan Eleri David

The main purpose of G20 Youth Forum is sort of empowering young people to feel like they can make a change.

I was a moderator on my committee. And I’m very proud of the document which we were working on. I had a team who I’m really excited about. We have three main ideas on our recommendation: one about child care, one about women’s empowerment in work places with an education and one about social security in developing countries.

Stefan Vasilev
Student, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Stefan Vasilev

Definitely the main purpose is to communicate with a lot of people, to exchange ideas with the experts in your field, and also to send a message about our ideas.

Governments always appreciate opinions from young people who are thinking out of the box. I hope they will appreciate our recommendations too.

Victoria Pilbeam
Student, Australian National University
Victoria Pilbeam

I think it’s really great to bring a lot of young people together to talk about important issues. It’s always a good idea. Mostly it's important to meet amazing people who really like to be engaged and are really passionate about different issues.

We looked on the questions: young women’s’ careers and family. We made some pretty concrete recommendations.

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