This week, for the first time in the history of AKS, not our administrators or teachers, but our own youth was sent to participate in an international Partnership Building Activity (PBA).
Rita (19) is a member of our community who has grown up alongside AKS. From camper to volunteer and youth leader, she has repeatedly demonstrated responsibility, initiative, and reliability over the years. That is why she is now leading the English Language Studio delegation at this international event in Norway.
The young participants will not only take part in future youth exchanges but will also have the opportunity to see firsthand how such projects are created, how partnerships are built, and how international connections are established. Opportunities like this are still quite rare in the world of youth exchanges.
Of course, Lithuania did not arrive in Norway empty-handed. For the cultural evening, we brought a traditional Lithuanian šakotis cake. And since šakotis is not only a dessert but also a logistical challenge, it spent most of the journey proudly travelling on Rita’s lap, leaving little doubt among fellow travellers that a Lithuanian team was nearby.
In the upcoming days, participants will visit the island of Utøya, known worldwide for the 2011 tragedy in which Anders Breivik carried out one of the deadliest attacks in modern European history. Today, however, Utøya is not only a place of remembrance. It is also a symbol of resilience, of a community that refused to let hatred define its future, and of hope, democracy, youth participation, and the belief that even after the most painful events, it is possible to build a brighter future.
We wish our team courage, curiosity, meaningful new connections, and inspiring ideas!