Bärblom-Kallio, Iida

Introduction

I’m a 14-year-old girl from Laajasalo. I attend Vartionkylän yläaste school. I’m interested in young people’s rights and influencing opportunities.

Hobbies: Choir, art clubs and dancing.

Vartiokylän yläaste

 

Answers to the election machine

Schools should have more days during which they only serve vegetarian food.

It is good to do things for the environment, but people’s eating habits cannot be changed completely. This is because forcing people does not help. I think both dish types should continue to be served at school restaurants.

 

Schools should focus on grouping more extensively than now.

Grouping is an important part of school that aims to develop interaction and a sense of community. Of course, groups are different, and the situation of a specific group cannot be known directly. That is why each group needs a group-specific plan in order to move on with learning.

 

Distance learning needs to be established as a permanent learning method in addition to contact teaching.

Distance learning has become more common in recent years with the development of information technology. This has made learning easier for many, but also more difficult for others. The situation of the group or school must be considered on a case-by-case basis, and also what is to be taught through distance learning.

 

The competitiveness of young people’s sports activities should be reduced.

There are different kinds of hobbies with different objectives. For some, competitiveness motivates development. Of course, it can also create pressure and reduce self-confidence.

 

The City of Helsinki should primarily offer summer jobs to those young people who do not yet have work experience.

The aim is to equip young people with the skills they need to choose a career and find their interests. On the other hand, it depends a lot on the summer job the young person is applying for. That is because employers tend to rely on employees who already have the skills needed.

 

The public spaces in Helsinki should maintain the division between women’s and men’s toilets.

Men’s and women’s toilets can be maintained, but unisex toilets can be introduced alongside them for people to use without being ashamed of their gender. The practice has already been introduced in some schools and youth centres.

 

Helsinki should start offering free public transport to those under 18.

It depends a lot on where young people are travelling, because it cannot all be monitored. This is a safety issue. On the other hand, this problem could be solved by including a time limit in the idea. This will also require considering what needs to be cut from taxpayers’ money.

 

It would be better if there were no e-scooters in Helsinki.

E-scooters have generated a lot of debate in the media, for example about their safety and incidents involving them. However, it should be noted that this mode of transport was only introduced a short time ago, so there are not enough rules for them yet. Because the rules for cyclists are not sufficient. This is a matter of development and can still be improved.

 

For a member of the Youth Council, pushing their own goals through is a more important quality than agreeing on compromises.

It depends a lot on what is being discussed and the external factors involved. The idea is to create a better Helsinki. We do that together.

 

On which topics would you like the Youth Council to focus, in particular? Select the three that are the most important to you.

Schools and education; Urban environment and transport; Healthcare and mental health

These are everyday issues that generate a lot of ideas and opportunities for progress.