The OPEN CONSULTATIONS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE – INFLUENCE LAB took place on 18 May, an event in which over 60 people participated. It comprised secondary school pupils and high school students responding to an invitation to take part in a brainstorming session on topics relating to the European Capital of Culture.
The discussion, lasting over two hours, was preceded by a short presentation about what the ECoC represents, and was moderated by members of the Tasking Team, the Youth City Council and the European Outsourcing Institute Foundation. The Foundation is implementing the Youth-Friendly Cities project and it is through their involvement in this that we can count on their help and support.
We focused on the needs of young people and on ideas that might be implemented as part of Bielsko-Biała's candidacy for the ECoC title. We addressed questions about obstacles to participation in cultural activities and how to promote culture among school children and students. We also talked about the positive aspects of our city and how best to reinforce its strengths.
A record was kept of every opinion and suggestion, these being extremely valuable pointers for future action. We are further convinced that this is just the beginning of what we can do jointly as part of the ECoC initiative.
The event was co-organised by Punkt 11, the Cultural Collective, the Youth Council of the City of Bielsko-Biała and the Student Governing Board of the University of Bielsko-Biała.
