“I could actually debate and argue for my opinions – and I was good at it!”
Gabriel (18) discovered his passion for democracy
“I’ve really always been a laid-back kind of teenager. I didn’t participate in conversations about social issues and never really expressed my opinions either. Maybe I thought I didn’t have any. My group of friends didn’t talk about politics,” says Gabriel (18) from Sarpsborg.
In 2022, he went to Utøya with Ung Motkraft, a project where the Sarpsborg Youth Council, the police, volunteer organisations, and other municipal employees work together to counteract hate, radicalisation, and racism in the municipality.
Together, they participated in Demokrativerkstedet (the Democracy Workshop) – a programme where children and young people learn more about what democracy entails and how they can develop democratic competence in practice.
Gabriel (18) in a white shirt in the centre of the photo.
Since 2019, the Wergeland Centre and its partners have offered free weekend gatherings at Utøya for youth councils. Just since 2023, 26 different youth councils – both large and small – from all over Norway have taken part in Demokrativerkstedet.
The program is free of charge and supported by Sparebankstiftelsen through the project “Youth Changing the World.”
“We see that council members gain a lot from participating in Demokrativerkstedet,” says EWC advisor Mahira Karim. “They gain valuable experience in engaging in societal debates, exploring and clarifying their own opinions, handling disagreements in the council constructively, and learning how other youth councils operate.”
Mahira emphasises that in a vibrant democracy, participation is about more than just formal positions. It’s also about conversations, attitudes, and everyday initiative.
“We’ve seen that many of those who take part in Demokrativerkstedet discover new ways to get involved, either locally or in other areas of society,” she says.
“We’ve also received feedback that council members return home with new knowledge and motivation that they can benefit from in their ongoing work in the youth council,” Mahira adds. “The sense of community among the youth is strengthened, and many councils want to return to Utøya. Several of them already have.”
Before coming to Utøya, Gabriel had heard several positive things about Demokrativerkstedet from previous participants.
He wanted to learn more about democracy, and when the opportunity arose, he took it.
“I learned a lot about myself and about the perspectives of others,” says Gabriel about his stay at Utøya. “Through the different activities we did there, I got to know my own and others’ opinions. And I was surprised that I could actually debate and argue for my opinions – and that I was good at it!”
Since the weekend gathering at Utøya, things have really taken off. Gabriel is now both a member of the Sarpsborg Youth Council and a board member of Ung Motkraft.
“Now I read the news. I’ve turned 18 and will use my vote in the next election. I probably wouldn’t have thought about voting or getting involved if I hadn’t experienced being at Utøya and discovered my passion for democracy.”
For Gabriel, this is just the beginning. Drug reform has become a key issue for him, and he wants to continue being involved in political and societal matters. He doesn’t rule out a future as a youth politician.
“The dream is to sit in Parliament, of course!” he laughs.
