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AI and Crisis Management How can we use AI to enhance the work and impact of youth-led organizations across Germany, the Baltic states, Europe, and the World? by Tanishka Murthy In the beautiful city of Vilnius, Lithuania, selected individuals representing different organizations across Europe, gathered together to discuss the future of AI in regards to managing crises, and how technology can be used to improve the efficiency and impact that youth-led organizations can have. Participants attended several workshops/seminars and keynote speeches by the Ambassador of Germany to the Republic of Lithuania, the Lieutenant General of Multinational Corps Northeast, Experts in Information Warfare, and Vilnius City Council members to name a few. While this conference presented a highly engaged and responsible youth population across the wider Europe area, it also presented the need for further critical thinking in the sphere of technology such as AI, and the work of youth organizations worldwide. It is not an easy task to create guidelines for the use of AI. In a span of 4 days, participants were tasked with learning about AI theoretically, the mechanisms and calculations behind the actual technology, the dangers that come with it, and the infinite possibilities which it holds. Doing all of this, while simultaneously being critical and hypothesizing what the future of the technology would hold requires an immense amount of dedication. As the Lieutenant General said in his keynote address, “Don’t accept that things happen without wanting to influence them.” These young leaders of Europe were a glimpse into the possibilities of the future, simply because we do in fact have people who refuse to accept that things happen regardless of our abilities to influence them. Whether it be through learning about AI or any other framework, this idea that we are the present generation that gets to decide the future which is to come, makes us strong enough collectively to decide how exactly we want to achieve this. We have the freedom to make decisions, and if these few days learning about the potential dangers of technology has taught us anything, it’s that we have the obligation to make the right ones too. Decisions on use of technology which not only benefits organizations, institutions, and individuals of the present day but also of the future . AI and Misconceptions Through discussions with workshop coordinators as well as participants, it had become evident that AI had become a buzzword of sorts which carried with it more negative connotations than it did positives. It seemed to be that there was a need to understand the misconceptions, why they existed, and what could be done to correct them first and foremost. The first misconception is that AI is something which is already fully established. In other words, Artificial Intelligence is something which is still being developed. What we see today in most cases are stepping stones for a form of Artificial Intelligence that could exist in the near future. By understanding that this is a technology which is still developing, specifically through Gretel Juhansoo’s workshops, participants seemed to shift their mindsets and approach the technology as something which would still be heavily impacted through our opinions and actions. The second misunderstanding is that AI can stand on its own and produce its own work. While the debate on this specific aspect of AI is still progressing, it was emphasized time and time again during these few days that AI is simply a tool. It is not meant to replace the entirety of what we already do and it is certainly not meant to be human. While the irony does remain that we are constantly trying to make AI more human-like, it was not intended to replace our cognitive abilities. AI and the Debates Surrounding it From this topic of whether AI can be a producer of work, the discussions shifted. The questions became, and were very eloquently posed during the conference as, “Does AI replace you asking questions?”, and “How can we prevent losing our own competency?.” These were some questions that raised the loudest voices. This was soon followed by the discussion on “authorship.” Can AI ever be the true author/creator of a work? What determines the authenticity of what it produces? While conclusions are never as straightforward as the questions themselves, the GBYEN members gradually became more intentional in their discussions, recognizing that thinking about AI and its implementation for their respective organizations, means seeing it as a tool to enhance our abilities rather than replace them. Members had become aware of the misconceptions and able to consider pre-existing notions before jumping to conclusions. The question on authorship seemed to be the most difficult debate of all, bringing about no clear answer from any group and more questions to be debated upon. Perhaps this was a point of realization that while guidelines for a specific aspect of AI may be useful, in this case giving authorship or not, there may be value in considering whether or not we have enough information about the technical elements of how the AI functions in order to create these guidelines. Members realizing that there needs to be further discussion, seemed to be a positive signal that these workshops not only enhanced participants' knowledge but also critical thinking abilities in regards to their own depth of understanding. AI and Disinformation Akey step for the GBYEN group in identifying the needs with regards to AI was understanding how it can be weaponized. As emphasized in the panel with Ms.Viola von Cramon, and Mr. Viktor Denisenko, “disinformation is used as a tool to legitimize aggression.” AI can and sometimes is used as a creator and distributor of disinformation. GBYEN members were constantly reminded over these few days that assuming the authenticity of AI generated information is very easy. Information that seems accurate enough is simply not enough anymore. While participants demonstrated a commendable prior understanding of how disinformation can be created and spread, it seems as though the value lies most in considering it from the perspective of youth-led organizations. As these organizations need to grow gradually, training new members will be essential in its growth. Part of training new members who can have a larger impact in Europe and globally is sharing the knowledge on how to differentiate accurate information from inaccurate or potentially harmful information. The Future of AI in our Context One of the most impactful portions of this conference, in terms of learning about the mechanism of AI, was the workshop conducted by Jost Wiethölter, wherein participants were able to simulate AI and the calculations it does with the use of paper cups and small pieces of paper with numbers written on them (i.e. The Nim game). Not only was this simulation game a natural icebreaker for participants but brought about a significant realization: 1. AI is created through the concept of eliminating all possible mistakes. Simulating AI means putting your human side behind. The mechanism behind artificial intelligence has a lot to do with repeating the same action until a system is created which eliminates the possibility of mistakes. This is not an inherently human characteristic. This means that when we try to understand how AI can help us, whether it be in our daily lives or in our respective organizations, we would have to minimize our expectations of it being anything resembling human beings, and treat it as a tool which allows us to enhance our pre-existing abilities. As a participant very clearly phrased it, we have to “put our human side behind” to understand AI. So, where does that leave us, as young leaders of Europe and the world, when it comes to our use of AI in order to manage crises and have a bigger impact through our organizations and initiatives? After 4 days, several workshops, inspiring keynotes, and countless conversations, the answer seemed to lie in education. Not just education as a whole, but specifically educating more teachers and industry professionals in different sectors, on the technology behind AI, as well as the safe and ethical uses of it. With award winning programs such as the Teachers Lead Teach Initiative expanding, we are seeing more so than ever the demand and need for a better understanding of this valuable addition to the future of technology. While it is equally important to consider implementation within organizations, being students gives us an opportunity to also encourage institutions to accelerate the investment in “educating the educators” in regards to AI and developing technology. Keep Questioning, Keep Trying The final goal, specifically for the GBYEN group, was to create guidelines for the use of AI in organizations and beyond. The following are the titles of the guidelines created: 1. Assess Needs and Objectives 2. Ensure Secure Access for Team Members 3. Involve Youth in the Process 4. Choose User-friendly Tools 5. Provide Training and Resources 6. AI-Driven Data Management 7. Supporting the Creation of AI Which Puts People’s Needs and Well Being First 8. Automation in Administration 9. Monitoring and Evaluating 10. Ethical AI Use (transparency, inclusivity and data privacy) Participants were incredibly critical for the entirety of the discussion. As a journalist covering this group, this was empowering to see. The evident difference in expertise within the group, the skepticism exhibited by many, and the confident voices asking why the current way we see AI is the best, if at all, have all been displayed in these guidelines that they were able to create. Why? Because this is not easy. This is not supposed to be a simple answer where one action will automatically solve every safety or ethical issue which surrounds AI and its use. Members of the group were quick to recognize that despite being in several workshops and having heard from many experienced industry professionals, coming up with solutions is not half as easy as recognizing the problems. Many suggested that the questions which were meant to support them in forming the guidelines were too general, making it difficult to find a common ground for discussion. On top of that, since each member was speaking from their own personal experience from within their organizations, their needs are different, making the guidelines relevant to them also different. This prompted the idea that there needs to be continuous critical thinking in regards to AI, taking into account individual contexts and temporality. With time and improved understanding of the technology, our ability to be critical will also improve, making it more meaningful to reevaluate the guidelines and potentially restructure them at the time. It is not enough to leave this discussion here after 4 days. The research must continue, the debate must continue. We cannot accept that things happen without wanting to influence them. We cannot accept that new technology can do harm without using our knowledge to find ways to minimize it. We must be critical, we must keep asking questions, and we must always find ways to influence the world around us. If you are interested in the AI guidelines of GBYEN, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

By Marc Martorell Junyent Marc is a journalist and researcher based in Munich, Germany. He covered the German-Baltic Conference 2024 as a Young Journalist, following the work of Cluster A: AI in Refugee Protection & Humanitarian Aid. The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania is a welcoming building at the western end of Vilnius’ main street, Gediminas Avenue. The library, in the city centre of the Lithuanian capital, hosted the working sessions of the German-Baltic Conference 2024, which took place between October 24th and October 27th. The conference, organised by the German-Baltic Future Foundation, is a yearly event held in different Baltic cities. Its aim is “to connect young people, especially those living in Germany and the Baltic States, and to strengthen their voice in politics.”   There could hardly have been a more appropriate location than the National Library for those conference participants organised in Cluster A, which focused on AI in Refugee Protection & Humanitarian Aid. The addressees of Cluster A’s recommendations on how to improve the protection of refugees and the provision of necessary assistance are the elected representatives of the Lithuanian people. They work in the building next to the National Library, the Lithuanian parliament, known as the Seimas. The second round of the elections to the Seimas coincided with the last day of the German-Baltic Conference.    The conference was organised into four different clusters. Apart from Cluster A, three other clusters discussed healthcare, disinformation, and climate change—always from an AI perspective. The target countries were, respectively, Latvia, Germany, and Estonia. In a somewhat different format, the conference also convened the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN), which brought together young members of civil society organisations, politics, and administration to discuss youth cooperation in Europe. The participants in Cluster A brought with them different academic backgrounds. Studies in International Relations, Political Science, and Public Policy were common, but also in Law and even Linguistics. The cluster was headed by Sergej Stoma, a master's student at Sciences Po Paris law school specialising in public international law. This was Stoma’s first experience as head of cluster. He had participated in a previous conference held in Tallinn, but only as an external guest to take part in the activities of the GBYEN. Stoma noted that the Cluster A participants displayed “a wide range of perspectives and expertise, which enriched the discussions but also made it challenging to select priorities. Some of the participants had more knowledge of specific AI solutions and technologies, while others had more to contribute to policy and legal issues.” As head of cluster, Stoma’s task was to assist and coordinate the work of the cluster participants. The participants had been selected around September and already had many hours of work behind them when they met in person for the first time in Vilnius. Three different online meetings had taken place before the conference began. During these meetings, they learned about national and international legal frameworks regulating the protection of refugees. Among them, Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Foreigners or the 1951 Refugee Convention.   The participants also became better acquainted with the specific situation in Lithuania. The country, which borders Latvia, Belarus, Poland, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, is one of the EU members processing fewer asylum requests. During the first half of 2024, and according to the European Union Agency for Asylum, Lithuania received  72 asylum applications per million inhabitants, which compares to an EU average of 1108 applications per million inhabitants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lithuania has reported  90,780 asylum-seekers as of October 2024. Once in Vilnius, the cluster participants shaped the final policy paper during several working sessions held on the ground floor of the National Library from Friday to Saturday. The work was sometimes carried out in separate groups that later presented their ideas to all the cluster members. The discussions were focused on identifying key areas of improvement regarding refugee protection and humanitarian aid in Lithuania and establishing recommendations to address these challenges with the help of AI technology.   For instance, one of the key issues in Lithuania is that asylum application processes are often long and inefficient. Another one is that integration services can be ineffective or insufficient. One of the cluster’s suggestions to address these problems is the creation of a multifunctional app for refugees and asylum seekers. The app would provide them with information about relevant legal procedures as well as language learning assistance to improve their Lithuanian skills. The app, with some functions facilitated by AI technology, would also ease the cultural integration of refugees thanks to practical guidance on Lithuania’s everyday life.   The cluster’s participants received the professional assistance of Laurynas Biek š a, an Associate Professor of International Human Rights Protection and Asylum Law at Mykolas Romeris University. Biekša, who is also a lawyer specialised in migration law and human rights law, visited the cluster to answer questions and give his opinion on the cluster’s work. Biekša provided the participants with specific advice on how to effectively formulate their policy proposals so that they resonate with the politicians who have the power to implement them.   One of the cluster’s participants was Agnė Jankauskaitė, from Lithuania. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and European Politics. Jankauskaitė explained she was influenced in her choice of study by her previous experience at the German-Baltic Conference 2023, which took place in Tartu, Estonia. She covered the conference as a Young Journalist. When asked about the key learnings she made during this year’s conference, Jankauskaitė mentioned she greatly expanded her knowledge about international and Lithuanian migration laws and asylum-seeking processes. Even more important, she said, was the great teamwork experience. In her words: “It was beautiful to see how it all worked out due to our cooperative efforts and mostly to the great skills of our leader.” Maximilian Arndt, from Germany, is currently finishing his second bachelor’s degree. After finishing a bachelor’s in Romance Studies and Philosophy and History of Law, he now studies Empirical Linguistics, with a focus on Baltic Studies and Phonetics. Arndt and Jankauskaitė referred to similar learnings during the conference. Arndt, however, specifically highlighted how he gained new knowledge about various technologies that can assist refugees, such as geofencing. Arndt also had very positive words about Stoma, the head of cluster. “I am deeply impressed by the leadership and organisation skills of our cluster head,” he said.   During the last event of the conference, the different clusters presented their work before the other participants, who had the opportunity to raise questions. After a short introduction by Stoma, the presenters from Cluster A took the stage. David Ehresmann, Vincent Tadday, and Agnė Jankauskaitė provided some background information about the situation of refugees in Lithuania before delving into the issues that need to be addressed and the specific recommendations.   Reflecting on the experience of coordinating Cluster A’s work three weeks after the conference’s conclusion, Stoma remarked that “synthesising diverse contributions into a cohesive, structured document was a demanding but ultimately rewarding exercise.” He also expressed his satisfaction that “the final policy paper reflected the collective input of all participants while maintaining clarity and focus, not a single idea was left out.”   The German-Baltic Conference 2024 did not only include work meetings but offered an agenda full of diverse events. Just to name a few, on Friday the 25th, a panel discussion was convened under the title "Weaponizing Disinformation: Insights from Ukraine and the EU's Response." The following day, Erika Kuročkina, Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, offered a keynote speech on “Building a Future-Ready Workforce: AI, Youth, and Education in the Baltics.” The participants also profited from a rich cultural program. One of these cultural activities was a music performance by Rīgas Danči, a Latvian folklore group. The performance engaged the public from the very beginning and was received with warm applause. On Saturday, there was time for a visit to the Modern Art Museum. After dividing into four different groups, the visitors were offered a guided tour of the exhibition From Within , a combination of art history and psychology inspired by the work of psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung and philosopher Alain de Botton. When asked about her opinion on the extra-academic activities, Jankauskaitė noted that they “were perfect in providing a relaxing atmosphere after intense working sessions”. She also liked “the possibility for foreigners to get to know Lithuanian and Baltic culture better.” The International Relations student noted that the conference was a good occasion to make “meaningful connections” with other participants. Stoma, the head of cluster, explained he enjoyed the social activities, which “provided an excellent opportunity to connect with participants in a more informal setting.” Similarly, Ardnt, the Empirical Linguistics student, said that the encounter in Vilnius was “a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests” although he would have favoured a less tight schedule that would have left more time to get acquainted with new people. On the last day of the German-Baltic Conference 2024, it was announced that the next conference will be hosted in Riga, the capital of Latvia. As the conference in Vilnius drew to a close, and some participants rushed to their travel connections to return home, others discussed applying again in one year’s time.   If you are interested in the policy paper of cluster A, take a look here! Graphic Recording by: Agne Rapalaite-Rasiule, visualmind.lt Photos by: Simonas Lukoševičius (Instagram: @simonas_luko)

The DBJW is delighted to announce Oleksandra Frankevych as our latest scholarship holder! Oleksandra Frankevych Ukraine Bachelor's program in Entrepreneurship and Management at Riga Technical University (RTU)

Am 7. November 2024 folgten Daumantas Katinas, Leiter des DBJW-Landesbüros Litauen, und Frau Dr. Skaistė Volungevičienė von der Universität Vilnius der Einladung von Odeta Žebrauskienė, Deutschlehrerin am Rygiškių-Jonas-Gymnasium, um am Tag der Deutschen Sprache in Marijampolė teilzunehmen. Bei ihrem Besuch trafen sie sich mit den Schülerinnen und Schülern, informierten sie über Studien- und Berufsmöglichkeiten mit Deutsch und stellten die Arbeit der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung vor. Daumantas Katinas gab den Teilnehmenden Einblicke in die Aktivitäten, Projekte und Programme der Stiftung. Im Anschluss genossen alle Anwesenden deutsche Lieder, besichtigten eine Posterausstellung zum Tag der Deutschen Sprache und erkundeten die Stadt Marijampolė gemeinsam mit den Lehrern Odeta Žebrauskienė und Vidmantas Žebrauskas. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro dankt herzlich Frau Žebrauskienė und dem gesamten Gymnasium für die Einladung und freut sich auf eine weiterhin erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit!

Am 30. Oktober 2024 organisierte das litauische Landesbüro der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung (DBJW) ein Treffen litauischer Jugendlicher mit der Deutschen Bundeswehr in Rukla, Litauen, wo aktuell das vorgeschobene Führungselement (Forward Command Element) der NATO stationiert ist. Neben dem litauischen DBJW-Landesbüro nahmen auch Studierende und Dozierende der Universität Vilnius und der Vytautas-Magnus-Universität sowie Schülerinnen und Schüler aus Vilnius und Kaunas an der Veranstaltung teil. Die Gruppe wurde vom Oberleutnant zur See Daniel Becker begleitet und betreut. Nach einem gemeinsamen Foto wurden die Teilnehmenden zunächst über die Aufgaben und Aktivitäten der Bundeswehr in Litauen informiert. Im Anschluss hatten sie die Möglichkeit, sich in einer entspannten Diskussionsrunde mit Vertreterinnen und Vertretern der Bundeswehr auszutauschen. Danach führte der Weg zur Besichtigung der in Rukla stationierten militärischen Ausrüstung. Die Teilnehmenden erhielten einen Einblick in verschiedene Panzer, Militärfahrzeuge und weitere Technik. Später folgte ein gemeinsames Mittagessen mit deutschen, niederländischen, tschechischen und litauischen Soldatinnen und Soldaten. Nach dem Essen hatten die Teilnehmenden die Gelegenheit, die militärische Ausrüstung aus nächster Nähe zu erkunden, persönliche Gespräche mit deutschen Soldatinnen und Soldaten zu führen, Nahrungsmittelpakete zu testen und Fotos zu machen. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro bedankt sich herzlich bei Oberleutnant zur See Daniel Becker für die große Hilfsbereitschaft und Gastfreundschaft sowie für einen unvergesslichen Tag in Rukla. Wir hoffen auf eine weiterhin erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit in dieser oder anderer Form.

Am 17. Oktober 2024 besuchte Daumantas Katinas vom DBJW-Landesbüro Litauen gemeinsam mit Frau Dr. Skaistė Volungevičienė vom Lehrstuhl für Deutsche Philologie der Universität Vilnius im Rahmen der Tage der deutschen Sprache „Ö kaip vokiškai?“ die Gymnasien in Šeduva und Pakruojis. Während der Treffen stellte Daumantas Katinas die Studienmöglichkeiten auf Deutsch vor, informierte die Schülerinnen und Schüler über deutsch-litauische Beziehungen und diskutierte mit ihnen über Zukunfts- und Karriereperspektiven mit Deutsch. Im zweiten Teil der Veranstaltungen wurde den Gymnasiastinnen und Gymnasiasten die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung vorgestellt. Die Teilnehmenden erfuhren dabei mehr über die Deutsch-Baltische Konferenz in Vilnius, die Aktivitäten des DBJW und seines Landesbüros Litauen, die aktuelle Ausschreibung „Brand Ambassador“ sowie über den Fotowettbewerb „ Spuren “. Das litauische DBJW-Landesbüro dankt den Gymnasien für die gelungenen Veranstaltungen und hofft auf viele neue Partnerschaften.

Am 15. Oktober 2024 wurde bekannt gegeben, dass Frau Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Vorsitzende des litauischen Seimas (Parlaments), die Schirmherrschaft der diesjährigen Deutsch-Baltischen Konferenz in Vilnius übernimmt. Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung und das GBYEN-Netzwerk freuen sich außerordentlich über diese Entscheidung und blicken mit großer Vorfreude auf eine erfolgreiche und bereichernde Veranstaltung, die vom 24. bis 27. Oktober 2024 in Vilnius stattfinden wird.

Am 26. September 2024 überreichten litauische Nichtregierungsorganisationen dem deutschen Verteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius einen offenen Brief. Darin bedanken sie sich für die historische Entscheidung, eine deutsche Brigade nach Litauen zu entsenden. Der Brief, initiiert von der Europäischen Bewegung, wurde von 28 litauischen NGOs unterzeichnet, darunter das Litauen-Büro der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung, die Nationale NGO-Koalition, der Litauische Jugendrat, der Litauische Deutschlehrerverband, die Alumni-Netzwerke verschiedener deutscher Stipendienprogramme sowie Menschenrechts- und Frauenrechtsorganisationen. Laura Tatarėlytė, Leiterin der Europäischen Bewegung, erklärte: „Angesichts des Krieges in Europa wollten wir die Einheit und Solidarität der litauischen Zivilgesellschaft zeigen und die Unterstützung für diese bedeutende Entscheidung Deutschlands ausdrücken.“ Zudem betonte sie, wie wichtig es ist, die Beziehungen zwischen Litauen und Deutschland zu stärken. Am folgenden Tag wurde der Brief auch im Deutschen Bundestag überreicht. Anna Lelkes und Maximilian Wende, in Anwesenheit vom Vorsitzenden der Deutsch-Baltischen Zukunftsstiftung Thomas von Lüpke, übergaben ihn an die Mitglieder des Auswärtigen Ausschusses Ulrich Lechte und Anikó Glogowski-Merten. Die Deutsch-Baltische Zukunftsstiftung ist stolz darauf, Teil dieser bedeutenden Initiative zu sein, und freut sich auf die Zusammenarbeit mit den Organisationen, die den Brief unterzeichnet haben, sowie mit der deutschen Brigade und ihren Familien.

Die baltischen Landesbüros organisieren im Herbst 2024 den Fotowettbewerb „Spuren” und rufen alle Deutschinteressierten dazu auf, deutsche Spuren in Estland, Lettland und Litauen zu finden, sie zu fotografieren, kurz auf Deutsch zu beschreiben und an konkursas.spuren@gmail.com zu schicken. Die Fotos mit einer Beschreibung (bis zu 3 Fotos pro Person) sollten bis zum 31. Oktober 2024 per E-Mail eingesandt werden. Bei der Auswahl der besten Fotos werden die folgenden Kriterien berücksichtigt:  der ästhetische Blick das Verhältnis zwischen Text und Bild (Beschreibung auf Deutsch), kulturelle und historische Bedeutung, Originalität. Am Ende des Wettbewerbs wählt die Jury die 20 besten Fotos aus, die ausgestellt werden, und die Autorinnen und Autoren der besten Fotos werden im November 2024 bei der Eröffnung der Ausstellung mit den besten Fotos mit einem Preis ausgezeichnet. Genaue Angaben über den Ort und das Datum werden später bekannt gegeben. Weitere Informationen finden Sie hier: http://www.spuren.lt/apie-konkursa-2/

On the 17 th of August, we had the honour of participating at the summer conference of the Estonian German Teachers' Association. The deputy head of our country office had the opportunity to bring the cultural differences between Austria and Estonia closer to the German teachers. After the one-hour seminar, there was a great deal of interest in the topic and many questions were asked. In the end, valuable contacts could be exchanged and the cooperation between the German Teachers' Association and the German-Baltic Future Foundation could be strengthened. Also, this gave us the chance to explore the beautiful island of Hiiumaa after the seminar!

#EuropeShallHearYou at the German-Baltic Conference in Vilnius , Lithuania  (October 24th - 27th, 202 4 ) Do you think politicians should listen to what you as a young European have to say? Are you interested in meeting other like-minded peers who are passionate about better representation of youth and their ideas? Do you have any creative thoughts on how AI can be used to help address and combat the challenges facing Europe today ? Then apply now and join one of our four clusters to discuss these ideas as a Youth Ambassador at the German-Baltic Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania  in October 2024 . Europe shall hear you and that is why we are primarily interested in your ideas and your creativity! This unique project aims to bring together about 40 young people from all over Europe to discuss the importance of AI and its role in crisis management in Europe . The Youth Ambassadors (YA) have the chance to work together within four respective clusters: Cluster A “AI in Refugee Protection and Humanitarian Aid” (Target Country: Lithuania) : Seeking safety from war, violence, persecution or other human rights violations is an internationally recognized universal human right. Practical implementation of this right involves decision-making about supplying humanitarian aid, granting refugee protection, and identifying potential risks which is often complex and too slow in helping those in urgent need of protection. While more efficiency could be offered by automation and the use of artificial intelligence in the process, wrong or biased decisions about refugee status and the provision of humanitarian aid can have life-and-death consequences. With the numbers of those forced to flee soaring around the world, this cluster aims to find ways of ethical, non-discriminatory, and human rights-compliant use of AI in decisions concerning their future. Cluster B “ AI in Healthcare” (Target Country: Latvia):   The constitutional right to receive healthcare and the country’s duty to provide quality healthcare is a challenge in Latvia. The Covid crisis showed some scenarios we could never prepare for. Or could we? The main goal of this cluster is to understand how AI tools could aid in creating more efficient policies, plans and mainly - solutions. Engage in stimulating discussions, real-time testing, and interactive mind map drawing sessions designed to chart a clear path toward the result. Together, we will examine ethical considerations, data privacy, and the seamless integration of AI tools to ensure equitable and effective healthcare for all citizens. Cluster C “ AI and Disinformation ” (Target Country: Germany) :  Nearly half of the world’s population is eligible to vote in various national elections this year. With the growing possibilities of (generative) AI, election campaigns have changed significantly, and disinformation has been a growing problem for democracies by influencing voting decisions. This cluster aims to explore risks and chances of AI being used for disinformation – how can we recognize AI-generated content and how can we counter it? Cluster D “ AI in Climate Change Management ” (Target Country: Estonia) : Climate change directly contributes to more extreme weather conditions and heats up the planet, displacing entire populations, destroying people's livelihoods, and increasing hunger and poor nutrition, to name just a few consequences. It is therefore crucial to utilize AI as one of today's most important technologies to leverage environmental protection, whilst dealing with its hunger for energy. In this cluster, we will seek to understand and develop policy recommendations on how Estonia can contribute to minimizing its own carbon footprint, develop solutions to be used at a wider scale, and meet the challenges for a more sustainable tomorrow. As a Youth Ambassador, you have the great learning opportunity to participate in one of the clusters where you will discuss challenges for your respective subtopic and draft a policy paper that  outlines solutions. You may also ha ve the opportunity to present your policy paper alongside your cluster members at a hearing with national parliamentarians from your Cluster’s target country following the conference.  The cluster work will take place in three  stages. Stage one consists of approximately four online meetings and workshops in September and October, to get introduced to the conference concept, meet your fellow YAs and Head of Cluster, get familiar with your cluster subtopic, and learn about writing policy papers . Stage two will be the in-person meetings at the German-Baltic Conference in Vilnius  (24th - 27th of October, 2024) where you will discuss your subtopic in person and begin drafting your  policy papers. Stage three  takes place following the conference, where you will be expected to work with your cluster online to finalize your cluster paper  and prepare for a national parliamentary hearing . This year we aim to hold hearings with each of the national parliaments (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany) where a select few of you will present your work to members of parliament , having a very direct influence on national decision-making. These hearings are set to take place between November and January . Furthermore, these policy papers, with recommendations for our common future, will also be shared more widely with decision-makers on the local, national, and EU-level via email and other DBJW events.    For taking part in the conference , a fee of participation of 40€ ( – if you are living in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Rumania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia or Turkey) or 80€ (– if you live in the rest of Europe) will be required. For the participation fee, you will receive compensation of up to 200€ in travel expenses in addition to free lodging and catering during the conference. (In case of financial difficulties, please contact us!) Youth Ambassadors need to be between 16 and 30 years old, have their current residency in Europe, and be fluent in English. Do you want to become a Youth Ambassador? Then fill out the APPLICATION FORM by 11  A ugust  2024 , and let us know about what motivates you to become part of this amazing experience. If you have any questions, contact Alexandra : a.ehresmann.dbjw@deutsch-balten.de   Share your ideas with us because #EuropeShallHearYou

How can we achieve change through political and civic engagement and ensure that its effects are both significant and lasting? How can we make sure that Europe’s young generation has its say in shaping the future? Building on the success of the #EuropeShallHearYou  campaign, since 2019 the German-Baltic Conference has brought together young people from all over Europe to meet in one of the major Baltic cities, giving them a platform to make their voices heard. After Riga (2019), Vilnius (2020), Tallinn (2021), Riga (2022), and Tartu (2023), we will meet in 2024 in Vilnius  - and we are extremely happy to organize the German-Baltic Conference for the first time in person in the Lithuanian capital. The Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania will serve as our conference venue.   From 24 to 27 October , participants of the conference will have the opportunity to join working groups that focus on policy development and civic engagement. Four clusters will allow 36 young individuals to involve themselves as Youth Ambassadors  in developing sustainable policy approaches in the realms of the environment, economy, society, and values – drafting their own policy and position papers that subsequently will be disseminated to political actors and decision-makers.   Concurrently, the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN)  will bring together stakeholders from civil society, administration, politics, and beyond, to explore future challenges and opportunities of youth exchange in the Baltic region and Europe. Working sessions will be embedded in an inspiring programme that comprises networking opportunities, expert keynotes, and insight into local best practice and culture.   While the clusters’ and GBYEN’s work evolve separately during the conference, the keynote speeches are open to all participants and intend to give impulses both for the clusters and the network. Also, the opening and closing ceremonies will be attended together.   The work of the clusters is led under the motto “ Europe shall hear you ”, which is carried by the objective of making the voices and opinions of young people in Europe visible and heard. The Heads of Cluster will work with selected Youth Ambassadors online between September and October and will complete the policy papers at the conference in Vilnius. The theme of this year's cluster work is " AI for Europe: Reinventing Crisis Management " and each cluster will focus on a specific subtopic within this theme, targeting one of our focus countries’ national legislation. Between November and January, selected Youth Ambassadors will have the opportunity to visit the national parliaments of Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and meet and exchange with parliamentarians about their ideas.   The clusters are divided as follows: Cluster A “AI in Refugee Protection and Humanitarian Aid” (Target Country: Lithuania) : Seeking safety from war, violence, persecution or other human rights violations is an internationally recognized universal human right. Practical implementation of this right involves decision-making about supplying humanitarian aid, granting refugee protection, and identifying potential risks which is often complex and too slow in helping those in urgent need of protection. While more efficiency could be offered by automation and the use of artificial intelligence in the process, wrong or biased decisions about refugee status and the provision of humanitarian aid can have life-and-death consequences. With the numbers of those forced to flee soaring around the world, this cluster aims to find ways of ethical, non-discriminatory, and human rights-compliant use of AI in decisions concerning their future. Cluster B “AI in Healthcare” (Target Country: Latvia) : The constitutional right to receive healthcare and the country’s duty to provide quality healthcare is a challenge in Latvia. The Covid crisis showed some scenarios we could never prepare for. Or could we? The main goal of this cluster is to understand how AI tools could aid in creating more efficient policies, plans and mainly - solutions. Engage in stimulating discussions, real-time testing, and interactive mind map drawing sessions designed to chart a clear path toward the result. Together, we will examine ethical considerations, data privacy, and the seamless integration of AI tools to ensure equitable and effective healthcare for all citizens. Cluster C “AI and Disinformation” (Target Country: Germany) :  Nearly half of the world’s population is eligible to vote in various national elections this year. With the growing possibilities of (generative) AI, election campaigns have changed significantly, and disinformation has been a growing problem for democracies by influencing voting decisions. This cluster aims to explore risks and chances of AI being used for disinformation – how can we recognize AI-generated content and how can we counter it? Cluster D “AI in Climate Change Management” (Target Country: Estonia) : Climate change directly contributes to more extreme weather conditions and heats up the planet, displacing entire populations, destroying people's livelihoods, and increasing hunger and poor nutrition, to name just a few consequences. It is therefore crucial to utilize AI as one of today's most important technologies to leverage environmental protection, whilst dealing with its hunger for energy. In this cluster, we will seek to understand and develop policy recommendations on how Estonia can contribute to minimizing its own carbon footprint, develop solutions to be used at a wider scale, and meet the challenges for a more sustainable tomorrow. The German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN)  will also be addressing the topic of AI. We will explore what role AI plays in the everyday lives of young people and the work of youth organizations, what opportunities and challenges arise from it, and how the (topic of) AI can be integrated into youth work and international youth exchange. Questions such as how youth exchange can benefit from modern technology and what potential sustainable youth work has in the fight against disinformation on media platforms will be discussed, with the overall aims of: ●     getting first-hand insight and learning from best practices ●   formulating answers for the future work and missions of institutions and organizations dedicated to youth exchange in the Baltic region ●     inspiring the future work of the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN)