EuroDIG 2017: Together we come up with the best ideas

In this article, Dalia, a youth panellist from Estonia, reflects on her recent experience in attending EuroDIG, the annual event of the pan-European dialogue on internet governance.

Date 2017-06-15 Author Dalia, Estonian youth panellist
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"My first EuroDIG, which took place in Tallinn, Estonia, on 7 June 2017, went quite smoothly and was definitely a good experience. The sessions were really educational and interesting and, overall, the atmosphere was welcoming. People talked in a language which was understandable to me, and I felt that the voice of youth was sufficiently heard at the event.

"Themes were focused on children and youth, and their wellbeing. Many attendees had a chance to speak and ask questions both during and after the sessions. Two best practices that I learned at EuroDIG were, firstly, that you should always listen to those who don't agree with you and try to understand their way of thinking and, secondly, to give as many people as possible the chance to speak, because together we come up with the best ideas.

"Also, after attending EuroDIG, I now have a much better understanding of what internet governance means, how it works and what impact it has on our society. This was also the topic that I enjoyed the most and I will definitely be speaking to my friends at the Estonian Safer Internet Centre, Targalt internetis (Smartly on the Web) about it. The aim of the project is to promote a wiser use of the internet by children and parents, while blocking the spread of illegal materials online.

"I think that if children and young people were educated at school about such things and voluntarily took an interest in projects and spread awareness to their peers, it would definitely help our online rights."

About the author of this article:

Dalia (15) goes to school in Tallinn, Estonia. She has been a youth member of the "Smartly on the Web" project and Estonian Safer Internet Programme since 2012, and has been a youth member of the Estonian Union for Child Welfare since 2015. Since that time, Dalia has taken part in five international conferences in Estonia, America and Belgium.

 

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