Insights from EU's Youth Sounding Board Meeting with Swedish MPs!
01 SEP, 2023
On August, 30, Wednesday, we, Youth Sounding Board Members, had an amazing interactive session where we got to connect with Swedish Members of Parliament, Ms. Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage, Ms. Maria Stockhaus, and Ms. Alexandra Anstrell.
The meeting kicked off at 10:40 A.M. with a warm welcome by Ms. Bandana Thapa, the Youth Focal Point of the European Union in Nepal. After introductions, we had Mr. Jairam Chaudhary and Ms. Alisha Dahal present an overview of the Youth Sounding Board Nepal and its functions as an advisory board to EU delegation in Nepal. Ms. Neha Karki from the 1st Cohort initiated the discussion by asking about youth employment practices and education in Sweden. The MPs shared that education is free in Sweden, ensuring every child receives it. “Higher education opens doors to numerous opportunities. Interestingly, modern youth are keen on non-traditional jobs like being influencers, YouTubers, and more”, shared the MPs.
The MPs inquired about the perspectives of the youth regarding the issue of brain drain. In response, Ms.Alisha from 2nd Cohort shared her viewpoint on the subject, drawing a connection to her personal experiences as an illustrative instance. She discussed the presence of youth opportunities in Nepal; however, these prospects remain unexplored due to the youth's lack of patience. Additionally, she mentioned her personal experience of securing opportunities in Nepal despite being a woman with a child. She also highlighted the challenges she faced with employers being uncertain about hiring a woman with a child for their work.
Sonika Kunwar from the 2nd Cohort raised a compelling question about Greta Thunberg's impact on Sweden's climate policies. While Greta's activism has sparked discussions and awareness, the MPs noted that significant policy changes are still a work in progress. They also expressed that climate change activism might not be entirely beneficial, as it can lead to increased challenges in development and infrastructure progress, sometimes conflicting with certain established policies. To illustrate, there was a case in Sweden where the initiative to construct all houses using wood was disrupted by activism, a situation that appears contradictory to pursuing both endeavors simultaneously.
Bipana Thapa from the 1st Cohort delved into Sweden's response to the Ukraine invasion. MP Alexandra Anstrell emphasized that democracy is vital, sharing Sweden's support for Ukraine through various means, and highlighted that they had never stayed neutral about this issue. Sangam, a member from the second cohort raised the issue of nuclear weapons as Nepal is a buffer state. They were also concerned about the issue and agreed to raise concerns further. Digitalization in education was another hot topic. The MPs emphasized the internet's power and debated whether schools should focus on books or integrate computers into the curriculum. Digital literacy emerged as a crucial strategy for youth development.
The meeting provided insightful learning to us and made us reflect on the differences in the priorities of the Swedish and Nepali governments in terms of infrastructure development and youth empowerment. When it comes to the education system, the Swedish government prioritizes industry-relevant education. Students can collaborate with professionals while studying, which enhances their grasp of how their studies are applied in real-world scenarios. In contrast, Nepal faces a significant disparity between its education system and the job market which is one of the major problems of unemployment here. Nepal should start investing more in the education and healthcare system to generate a healthy and skilled labor force that can contribute to the economy of the country. From Swedish leadership, we can learn that only by ensuring basic education to all citizens, development can be accelerated in any country.
Along with the discussion, the MPs appreciated the activeness of the Youth Sounding Board Nepal. Their remarks on the issues raised by board members were really encouraging for all of the YSB members present there. We were humbled by and grateful for the MP’s friendly warm receptive nature to the questions. This aided the entire discussion to be more holistic and touched on various aspects like youth empowerment, education, foreign diplomacy, climate change, and the digital divide in a limited time.
Overall, the meeting showcased Sweden's commitment to democracy, climate action, and education quality. We're inspired by the discussion and insights shared by the Swedish MPs! The youth-centric approach of the Swedish government to meet their needs is commendable and it is something the Nepal government can learn from. When a youth-friendly environment is created, innovations and diversity in the labor force is encouraged. Additionally, Sweden's robust social welfare system ensures that its citizens have access to healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits, reducing inequalities and providing security. Sweden's emphasis on innovation and technology has led to successful startups, offering economic growth and job opportunities - a model Nepal's youth can benefit from.