Vaasa brings together its sister cities from around the world for the Bridges of Hope conference

Officials, decision-makers, and youth representatives from a total of nine different countries will take part in the sister city conference in Vaasa. The conference brings together partners from Sweden (Umeå and Malmö), Norway (Harstad), Estonia (Pärnu), Germany (Schwerin and Kiel), Ukraine (Kherson), the United States (Bellingham), and Tanzania (Morogoro).

Today, sister city cooperation is increasingly built on partnerships forged through concrete joint projects. The conference gives cities the opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another, while developing their own activities and putting each other’s expertise into practical use. The value of face-to-face encounters stands out at a time when the global geopolitical situation is unstable and the need for dialogue is greater than ever. Such encounters build trust and foster cooperation between people from different countries and cultures.

– It is invaluable to bring our twin cities together to discuss topical themes. Such shared encounters create understanding, spark new ideas and lay the foundations for future cooperation, says Tomas Häyry, Mayor.

Democracy, happiness, and young voices take centre stage

Key themes of the Bridges of Hope conference include strengthening democracy and promoting happiness and wellbeing as part of a sustainable future. These themes are particularly relevant as people around the world seek ways to strengthen participation, trust in the future, and the stability of societies. The discussions and contributions explore cooperation between cities and practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Young people and their views on democracy and hope for the future play a central role at the conference. Young people’s perspectives are highlighted especially on the final day of the conference, when they take part in a discussion and present the outcomes of an international short film workshop.

The conference offers young people a platform to share their views on the future, democracy, and participation. The programme highlights the opportunity for people to be heard and to shape decisions that affect their own lives and society as a whole.

– It’s important to take young people’s views into account in decision-making. By listening to young people, we can build a more sustainable and hopeful future for generations to come, says Susanna Slotte-Kock, External Relations Officer for the City of Vaasa.

The aim of the sister city conference is to send a strong message that cooperation and dialogue between different cities and generations play a vital role in building a better future and strengthening international collaboration.