FOURTH
WORLD
INDIGENOUS
YOUTH
CONFERENCE
M A I N P A G E
- E D I T O R I A L
M O N E Y or C U L T U R E
- N E T W O R K
FOURTH
WORLD
INDIGENOUS
YOUTH
CONFERENCE
M A I N P A G E
- E D I T O R I A L
M O N E Y or C U L T U R E
- N E T W O R K
![[HEAD]](taat.gif)
Finally the conference will begin; we Saami youth have had it in our thoughts for quite some
time and now it’s finally here for real. We who are here and have the opportunity to attend
this conference will be part of something unique. The significance of this event cannot be
summed up in just one word. For us Saami it is of great significance. Now we begin more
and more often to look back to when we were all one people, that is a concrete event that
we can work together to reattain. It was a long time ago countries forced borders upon us
to separate us.
In addition, this conference has shown us that we are not just one people, but rather that
we are many peoples from all over the world with similar histories, common sources of happiness,
as well as similar challenges. Loss of native languages, identity problems, land rights and
the right to live our own culture are a part of the challenges which we face together and will
try to over-come. Minority groups havealways had difficulities being themselves and getting
their own voices heard. But we know that when we gather together we can jointly build a
strength with which to change and shape our world.
Jorgen Stenberg
Conference political leader
A person in a group might be afraid of saying something wrong or not fitting in, but no one
should feel thus when we meet here. This conference is a forum where everyone has the right
to speak. No one’s opinion is less important than another’s, no matter whether that person
is older or younger.
When society changes, it is usually the youth who are the leaders. We young people have an
easier time accomodating the new, whereas older people would rather stick with the old.
We know that all that is new is not good and that all that is old is not bad. During this
conference we will try to find balance together- old guides and new paths.
