Young, motivated and brave Leaders: Nikoline and Mariana
Meet Nikoline, 16, from Oslo, and Mariana, 20, from Kyiv – two talented and committed young leaders who are helping to shape the Youth Peace Conference and Youth Charity and Peace Concert in Oslo on 19 May 2027.
Both have accepted the challenge of taking responsibility as leaders of the Youth Steering Group, working together with young people from the five organisations participating in the project.
Their role is not simply to attend meetings or take part in the events. They are helping to develop the programme, motivate other young people, listen to their ideas and make sure that the youth perspective is at the heart of the project.
Nikoline (left) and Mariana. (AI).
From Oslo and Kyiv – working together
Nikoline and Mariana come from two different cities and have different experiences, but they share a strong belief that young people can make a difference.
Nikoline represents the Norwegian youth perspective. At only 16, she has already shown both courage and a strong sense of responsibility in taking on a leadership role in an international project involving young people from Norway and Ukraine.
Mariana, 20, brings the perspective of young people from Kyiv. Living and growing up in Ukraine during a time of war has given her a strong personal connection to the project’s message of peace, freedom and democracy. She is also helping to build bridges between the Ukrainian and Norwegian participants.
Together, they are helping to create a space where young people can speak, listen to one another and take responsibility for the future they want to build.
Young people motivating young people
One of the strengths of the project is that it is youth-led.
The five partner organisations are bringing together young people with different backgrounds, experiences and musical traditions. Nikoline and Mariana are helping to connect these young people and encourage them to contribute actively.
Their leadership is already making a difference. They are good at motivating others, creating enthusiasm and reminding the group that this is not a project being made for young people – it is a project being made with and by young people.
A promising generation of leaders
The Youth Peace Conference on 19 May 2027 will bring young people together with politicians, decision-makers, journalists, artists and representatives of civil society.
The young participants will not simply be an audience. They will have an active role in the conference and in the presentation of the youth democracy work developed through the project.
The same principle applies to the Youth Charity and Peace Concert at Oslo Concert Hall.
Through music, dialogue and active participation, the young people will demonstrate that peace, freedom and democracy are not abstract ideas. They are values that need to be understood, protected and carried forward by every generation.
Nikoline and Mariana are already showing what this can look like in practice.
Their courage, commitment and ability to motivate others give us confidence that the next generation is ready to take responsibility.
Young people taking the lead.
Young people building bridges.
Young people speaking up for peace, freedom and democracy.
And this is only the beginning.
Photo: Nikoline in a meeting with Emeritus Bishop Tor B. Jørgensen and he promised to support the youth at the conference.
Mariana had a meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Oleksandra Marviichuk this summer, and got an agreement that she will be a speaker at the Youth Peace Conference.
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