Diversity, Knowledge, Action!
Think back to when you were young, and the world lay before you like an undiscovered landscape—a world that would eventually shape who you are. Here, opportunities and challenges, joy and sorrow await you. Life offers us countless situations where we have the chance to make good choices, choices that can lead to a bright future. However, this requires parents to be patient, to set aside time and attention to truly understand and guide their children. It requires teachers to keep up with the times and see each student as an individual, engaging and motivating them. It also requires that the systems in place to ensure a safe, educational, and enriching upbringing fully commit to their responsibilities.
A democracy must consider the diversity within its population. Individual needs must be addressed, whether through tailored education, mental health care, or universal design. Yet, many young people feel their needs are unmet, that their upbringing is marked by negative experiences, and that their desire to learn turns into despair.
Why is this happening? Where do things go wrong?
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Diversity
In a society focused on efficiency, globalization, and productivity, time is money. The more time a society spends on finding ways to better include all its citizens, the higher the cost. Often, cost and other factors prevent society from implementing sufficient measures to meet these needs. As a result, an increasing number of young people drop out of education, experience mental health issues, and eventually fall out of society. At that point, the cost of providing them with the necessary help and reintegrating them into society becomes significant. To address the challenges ahead, we must focus on inclusion and diversity, ensuring that no one is left behind. The fields of education, healthcare, and social services are closely connected, yet there is reason to question how well they communicate. It is crucial to take the time to build a holistic understanding based on solidarity and shared values across these sectors and to prioritize long-term investments where they are needed. That's why JUNG works broadly to unite ideal organizations, youth workers, and state-owned enterprises that share these values and aim to make a social impact. This is what JUNG Community is all about.
Knowledge
To properly understand how social issues arise, it is beneficial to look at society as a whole. When a young generation experiences discomfort, it often signals that somewhere within our social structure, we are creating space for this discomfort to occur. What values and habits are being passed on to young people through screens, role models, and parents? How does the pursuit of "success" affect our youth? What welfare services are not functioning as they should, and why? What role does the media play in all of this? Which groups are most vulnerable, and how do we meet their needs? Once again, investing time and resources to gather this knowledge is critical. Only with deep understanding can we truly comprehend the issues at hand.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Action
Once knowledge is attained, it is essential to unite the various executive parts of society to take action and ensure positive outcomes from the plans and measures developed to address social issues. In constructing these plans, it’s crucial to keep the voices of those affected at the center of the process. Close dialogue is key to the success of any plan. Measures should be designed with long-term goals in mind, targeting the root causes of the issues rather than just addressing their symptoms. The potential impact of these measures should take priority over financial constraints. When a growing part of society is suffering, we must embrace the solidarity that our democracy is built on and allocate the necessary financial resources to make a change. When we know what to do, we take action!
Gaming - More than just play
In the first episode of SiRKEL, we have teamed up with KimChill! He is a TikToker, artist, gamer, and ambassador for the Norwegian Esports Federation. Despite gaming being one of the most common hobbies among children in Norway today (Medietilsynet, 2020), many children face skepticism and concern from their parents. With years of active gaming experience, KimChill has gained deep insights into a world that few adults are part of, which can seem somewhat mysterious to many. Because gaming is more than just playing games.​​​
He explains that gaming serves as a sanctuary where one can express themselves freely without fear of being judged, while also acting as a conversation starter and contributing to deeper personal bonds through collaboration and competition. Gaming is identity, therapy, and community. The skills developed in games are not only about performance but also greatly about interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the dynamics of games encourage critical, strategic, and goal-oriented thinking (Statped, 2020). Using games as an engaging and customized way of learning is also becoming increasingly widespread in education worldwide. Furthermore, gaming is increasingly being used as a tool for social initiatives.
A large part of the modern formation process for children today takes place online. And the fact is that gaming has traditionally faced some skepticism in Norway, and interest among parents is often modest. This leads to parents having little insight into an essential part of their children's lives. The lack of understanding naturally leads to skepticism. The stigma associated with gaming creates challenges, both in communication and in building relationships between generations. As we know, games as a phenomenon have entertainment value, but the uses of gaming extend across a variety of disciplines. It is useful to discuss the possibilities that lie in playing games, both alone and with others. Growth occurs through interactions with other people, and the principles of relationship building are just as real. The friendships are just as strong. The joy, community, and emotions that arise are of the same value.
70 percent of suicides in Norway are committed by boys and men (FHI, 2023). Many boys struggle to ask for help when things are difficult, and find it easier to open up when they are online. The gaming world turns out to be a place where many feel they can open up and talk to others about how they are feeling. Here, Norway has a golden opportunity to harness the power of the gaming medium, think innovatively, and ensure that we facilitate the potential of gaming to benefit those who need it. Listen to the episode below to learn more about the power of the gaming medium.