The Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region recently brought together 630 participants from countries around the Baltic Sea, including 30 specially invited guests from Ukraine, in Visby. Ann Linde, board member of Norden International, actively participated in various panels during the event.
One panel, organized by the Swedish Maritime Administration, focused on gender equality in the workplace. It was particularly inspiring to engage with young leaders from youth councils in Sweden, Finland, and Lithuania, discussing the challenges facing youth in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
While many of the key issues—peace, climate, and democracy—remain as pressing today as they were during Ann Linde’s time as Secretary General of LSU in the 1980s, new challenges have emerged. Youth mental health and well-being have become central topics of discussion, reflecting the evolving priorities of the current generation. Norden International remains committed to fostering dialogue and collaboration to address these challenges and build a more inclusive and sustainable future for the region.
