The planning and implementation of the event was a responsibility of the Finnish workgroup.
The group decided to bring in an external organiser and an expert in the field of environmental education&issues and the choice was the Rantasalmi Institute of Environmental Education. They had the knowledge and the experience of organising similar events and the equipment/contacts needed.
In WP4 a relevant custom is to emphasize the role and activity of the youngsters: therefore some of the participating Finnish youngsters were trained to act as teachers and program supervisors during the event.

The program included:
* a seminar and workshop-day at the Lakeland Centre:
    - information about midnordic cooperation; environmental work and the concept of Nordic Eco Belt; social aspects of environment
    - workshops e.g. about iron manufacturing; Linnasaari National Park and protection of Saimaa ringed seal; environmental sensitiveness; geological workshop.
    - evening program: Finnish saunatraditions
* National Park -day&night: including information about the work in the park, workshops about the relationship between man and nature; nature art; social sustainability and discussion of watersources.
    - evening program by each national group
* Experiencing the nature and culture: e.g. rowing churchboats, tour in Olavinlinna castle (common history) etc.

Approximately 60 youngsters and 10 adults took part in the event. The average age of the youngsters was 16-19 years.

The whole report.

Program.

Official groupphoto

Further information:
Virpi Heikkinen, projectcoordinator
Tel. +358 14 652 217
e-mail: virpi.heikkinen@keskisuomi.fi