Helo, Saara

Introduction

Hi, I’m Saara. I live in Roihuvuori in Eastern Helsinki. I have been interested in extensive influencing and promoting my own opinions as well as those of other for a long time now and this is also the main reason why I am running for the Youth Council this year.
If I were to be elected to the Youth Council, I would like to be involved in various ideas and actions related to equality and mental health of young people. Applying for summer jobs has always been a major challenge for many young people in Helsinki and I feel that the application process should be changed to make sure that as many young people as possible would be able to accumulate work experience through summer jobs.
Let’s work together to make Helsinki a better place for all of us <3

Hobbies: Show dance and playing the piano and the guitar

Porolahden peruskoulu

 

Answers to the election machine

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

Vegetarian food is a more environmentally friendly option and helps reduce the carbon footprint of schools. Vegetarian food is healthy, and providing it at school diversifies the daily diet of young people.

 

Schools should focus on grouping more extensively than now.

Grouping and having a good atmosphere at school increase young people’s wellbeing and motivation to come to school. In particular, the risk of bullying and discrimination is reduced by good grouping and team spirit.

 

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

The learning difficulties of many pupils were highlighted during the distance learning periods, when the support they needed was not available. It could work in some contexts, e.g. in situations where an external lecturer is needed for teaching.

                                                            

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

Healthy competition in sports and hobbies is often a good thing and motivates young people forward, but more focus should be put on creating a good and fair spirit of competition.

 

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

Looking for a summer job is an annual challenge for many young people in Helsinki precisely because of their lack of previous work experience. Young people’s work experience would be greatly improved if those who lack previous experience were given priority when applying for summer jobs.

 

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

I think the number of unisex toilets in public spaces should be significantly increased, but eliminating the division altogether could be somewhat challenging.

 

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

Living in Helsinki, in particular, public transport is often a major part of many young people’s everyday lives, but the age limit of 18 might be too high.

 

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

Removing them completely would not be a good idea, but their use should be controlled.

 

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

I believe that both qualities are important for council members, as the ability to advance your own goals is almost as important as the ability to make sensible compromises. The main thing is to make an impact and move things forward.

 

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

Equal opportunities and equality; Summer jobs; Healthcare and mental health

Equality and non-discrimination are important values for me, and these are things that I want to advance. The annual problems with summer jobs and young people’s wellbeing and mental health also require stronger concrete action.