Tag: Nordic Media Festival 2026

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AI in the Classroom

As generative artificial intelligence tools become embedded in daily software, classroom dynamics across Estonia are undergoing a rapid transformation. Rather than imposing blanket bans on AI technology, Estonian students and educators are increasingly experimenting with how large language models and automation tools can be used responsibly to enhance critical thinking and creative output.

In high schools and vocational centers, students are utilizing generative AI as interactive study companions—using tech to summarize complex academic texts, brainstorm project outlines, or test code syntax. For many young creators in local media projects and podcasts, AI tools have streamlined technical tasks like audio transcription and translation, allowing them to focus more energy on investigative research and storytelling.

However, the widespread adoption of AI tools brings fresh challenges regarding media literacy and academic integrity. Students themselves are at the forefront of this debate, emphasizing the need for clear guidelines on ethical AI use rather than punitive measures.

“Using AI shouldn’t mean letting a machine think for you,” says a student media creator involved in youth journalism initiatives. “The real skill today is knowing how to prompt correctly, verify the sources the AI gives you, and recognize potential biases in the generated output.”

Estonian educational institutions are responding by shifting the focus from passive memorization to analytical evaluation. By teaching youth how to critically interrogate AI outputs rather than blindly trust them, Estonia is establishing a modern template for digital education in the algorithmic age.

Author: Artemi Fomin

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Festival 2026 to Strengthen Youth Voices, Media Literacy and Democratic Resilience

The Nordic Media Festival 2026, entitled “Youth Voices for Democracy: Strengthening Media Literacy, Democratic Resilience and Information Integrity,” will take place from 20 to 23 August 2026 at the Scandic Avia Congress Hotel in Vantaa, in the Greater Helsinki area of Finland.

The four-day international gathering will bring together young people, educators, journalists, media professionals, researchers, policymakers and civil society representatives from across the Nordic–Baltic region. Organised by Femina ry and the Sillamäe Society for Child Welfare (SSCW) in cooperation with Nordic partners, the Festival will create a platform for learning, dialogue and practical cooperation on some of the most urgent challenges facing contemporary media and democratic societies.

Young people are growing up in a digital environment increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, social media algorithms, influencers, information overload, disinformation and rapidly changing technologies. The Festival will examine how young people can navigate this environment responsibly while becoming active content creators, storytellers, fact-checkers, community leaders and contributors to democratic resilience.

Nordic Media Conference on 21 August

The central event of the Festival will be the Nordic Media Conference on 21 August, featuring keynote contributions, expert panels and youth-led working groups.

The conference will include keynote contributions from Leif Lønsmann of the Nordic Journalism Centre and Maia Klaassen of the University of Tartu.

The first panel, “Growing Up in the Digital Age: Youth, Identity and Cognitive Wellbeing,” will explore how social media, information overload and the attention economy affect young people’s identity, emotional wellbeing and resilience. Participants will discuss online pressure, comparison culture, healthy digital habits and ways of supporting young people’s cognitive wellbeing.

The second panel, “Critical Thinking and Fighting Disinformation in the Age of AI,” will examine misinformation, propaganda, deepfakes and AI-generated content. Journalists, researchers and media experts will discuss practical fact-checking and source-verification skills, the democratic importance of media literacy and ways of strengthening young people’s information resilience.

The third panel, “Social Media, Influencers and Civic Participation,” will focus on the role of content creators and digital opinion leaders in public life. The discussion will consider how social media can be used responsibly to encourage youth activism, constructive dialogue, community participation and positive social impact.

The conference will conclude with cross-national youth working groups under the theme “Youth Voices and Democratic Resilience: Preparing for Future Challenges.” Participants will formulate recommendations addressing democratic participation, polarisation, social cohesion, community action, responsible media use and information integrity.

These recommendations will contribute directly to the Nordic Youth Media Manifesto, one of the Festival’s principal outcomes.

Digital exhibition and opening discussions

The Festival will begin on 20 August with the arrival of national delegations, opening discussions and a digital exhibition showcasing media content created by young participants.

The exhibition will provide young people with an opportunity to present their perspectives through videos, interviews, photographs, podcasts, social media materials and other digital formats. It will highlight young people not only as consumers of information but also as responsible media creators capable of influencing public conversations and strengthening their communities.

Youth Media Skills and Digital Activism Lab

On 22 August, the Festival will continue with the practical Youth Media Skills and Digital Activism Lab. The programme is designed for young people, youth leaders, content creators, media activists and emerging journalists.

The laboratory will include three practical workshops:

  • “Verify Before You Share: Fact-Checking and AI Content Detection,” led by Katrin Vilimaa-Otsing, will introduce participants to source verification, reverse-image searches and methods for recognising manipulation, deepfakes and AI-generated content.
  • “Create for Change: Digital Storytelling and Community Journalism,” led by Tatiana Kireeva, will help participants transform local and social issues into clear, engaging and human-centred media stories while avoiding sensationalism and stereotypes.
  • “From Post to Participation: Designing a Youth Digital Activism Campaign,” led by German Morris of Peace Child Estonia, will guide teams through the development of small digital campaigns supporting meaningful participation and positive community action.

During the workshops, participants will create fact-checks, storyboards, video or podcast concepts, social media content and digital campaign proposals. Selected results may be presented through the Festival’s digital exhibition and further developed as contributions to the Nordic Youth Media Manifesto.

Media interaction and Nordic–Baltic networking

The afternoon programme on 22 August is planned to include an interaction with representatives of Yle, Finland’s national public-service media company. Depending on availability, the meeting may take place in person or online.

The session will give participants an opportunity to learn about professional journalism, content production, public-service media standards and the role of trusted media in democratic society. It will also offer young participants practical insights into Finland’s experience in media literacy, youth engagement and public-service broadcasting.

An informal networking programme will provide additional space for participants, experts and national delegations to exchange experiences, establish professional contacts and discuss future Nordic–Baltic cooperation in journalism, media education, digital communication and youth participation.

Nordic Youth Media Manifesto

On 23 August, participants will present the results of their work and formally adopt the Nordic Youth Media Manifesto.

The youth-led document will set out recommendations for strengthening media literacy, democratic participation, cognitive wellbeing and information resilience across the Nordic–Baltic region. It will reflect the experiences and priorities of young people and offer proposals for educators, media organisations, civil society, policymakers and youth networks.

Through its combination of expert knowledge, youth participation, practical media work and cross-border cooperation, the Nordic Media Festival aims to empower young people to think critically, protect their wellbeing, use digital technologies responsibly and participate actively in democratic and inclusive societies.

Practical information

📅 20–23 August 2026
📍 Scandic Avia Congress Hotel, Vantaa, Finland
🌐 Working language: English
👥 Participants: young people, educators, journalists, media professionals, researchers, policymakers and civil society representatives

The full programme and event updates are available on the Nordic Media Festival 2026 webpage.

Further information: info@sscw.ee  / feminasuomi@gmail.com

The Nordic Media Festival is organised with financial support from the Nordic Council of Ministers through the Norden 0–30 grant programme and from the National Foundation of Civil Society (SA Kodanikuühiskonna Sihtkapital), with contributions from the Nordic Journalism Centre (Nordisk Journalistcenter, NJC).

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Young People in the Labor Market

In today’s society, working while studying has become a natural part of life for many young people. College and high school students find jobs in the service industry, logistics, and retail, or try their hand at freelancing on online platforms. This practice is undoubtedly of great value, as it develops communication skills, fosters a sense of responsibility, and provides initial financial independence. At the same time, this apparent freedom also hides a serious risk. When entering the job market, young people often encounter situations where they are not sufficiently aware of their rights or able to recognize potential risks. In my view, a basic understanding of labor law is essential, as it helps prevent unfair conditions and creates a safer work environment for all of us.

One of the most pressing issues is young people’s willingness to work without a formal contract. The desire to earn an independent income quickly, combined with naive trust in the employer, often plays a cruel trick on newcomers. When the relationship is governed solely by a verbal agreement, the risk of facing delayed wages, non-payment of agreed-upon amounts, or sudden dismissal is very high. Proving your rights after the fact is legally nearly impossible in such a situation. Therefore, it is crucial to agree on all terms before the first day of work and to begin fulfilling your obligations only after both parties have unambiguously signed the document.

Even when an employer offers a formal contract, people run into the next obstacle: an inability or unwillingness to read the document carefully. A common mistake is to scan the text for just one number-the amount of pay. However, equally important points-such as a specific list of job duties, workload, break times, and the probationary period-are overlooked. Complex legal language may seem incomprehensible to a young person, and instead of asking for clarification, they sign the contract blindly. A widespread sense of false shame in society prevents people from asking questions, even though, in reality, seeking clarification demonstrates a mature, responsible, and professional attitude. Everyone should know exactly what they are agreeing to before signing.

In addition to superficiality, a serious challenge is a lack of understanding of the contents of various types of contracts. Some companies deliberately exploit agency or service contracts in situations where a person is actually performing regular salaried work. As a result of such schemes, young employees are deprived of paid vacation, sick leave, and other social benefits. If a company has complete control over an employee’s time, place of work, and work process, this constitutes a classic employment relationship that requires an employment contract. Unfortunately, entry-level employees often don’t notice these legal nuances until they face their first health issues or need to take time off.

The issue of fair compensation is also closely tied to self-respect. During job interviews, a higher salary may be promised, but in reality, the actual amount turns out to be lower, or payments are regularly delayed. Since people starting their careers fear conflict or losing their jobs, they often endure such behavior in silence. In my opinion, no one should be afraid to defend their legal rights. If a person does not learn to assert themselves from the very beginning, similar problems and exploitation may continue to plague them in the future.

Work, however, should not become merely a means of survival, because in addition to the financial aspect, the employee’s mental and physical well-being is at stake. Constant attempts to juggle school and extra shifts lead to chronic fatigue, stress, and sleep problems. Some employers expect young people to be completely flexible and ready to rush to the rescue at any time, which has a devastating effect on both their studies and their health. Quality employment always means a balance that leaves room for people to rest and grow. An employee who is constantly exhausted will inevitably lose motivation, and with it, the quality of their work.

The situation is made even more complex by the fact that the modern labor market is changing rapidly due to technology. Platform work-whether it involves courier services, content creation, or freelancing-attracts young people with its apparent freedom. The flip side of this coin, however, is the lack of a stable income and social protection. Before diving into this type of digital entrepreneurship, one should thoroughly research the associated obligations and risks. As ways of working become even more flexible in the future, the importance of knowledge in the field of labor law will also increase.

In conclusion, it can be said that most of the problems described stem purely from a lack of knowledge. It would be appropriate for schools and universities to pay more attention to practical aspects of working life, the analysis of documents, and the resolution of real-world situations. If young people learn to ask questions and know how to seek help when necessary, the entire work environment will become fairer and safer. Work should not be merely an obligation to earn money, but an environment where people are treated with respect. A basic understanding of labor law gives young people self-confidence, helps them make more informed decisions, and lays a stronger foundation for the future.

 

Author:  German Morris