– Are you following alongwhat happens now? Or do you know what is happening here in Greenland? And do you talk about it with other young people or those you know?
These are the words of 22-year-old Uiloq Bak, who on the first day of this year’s Future Greenland gave a speech to the sold-out conference – in front of politicians, directors, diplomats and journalists.
She did this together with 19-year-old Veronica Geisler, who presented Aviaja Irene Hansen’s speech, since she herself could not be present in Nuuk.
– “US President Trump wants to buy Greenland.” That sentence has been the headline in many media, said Veronica Geisler.
– But think about it. Trump wants to buy a country. Our country. What about us? Us who live in the country. Will he also buy? us?
The two speeches generated quite a few reactions from the audience. Standing applause, tears and great praise from the guests.
It’s one thing to teach someone how to express themselves, it’s another thing to give them a platform to express themselves from – to someone who has the power to act. Because the people sitting inside that hall have it
– I was very impressed by the speakers this morning, especially the young ladies. It was very poignant, said France’s Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade, Nicolas Forissier subsequently to the press.
The speeches were highlighted by several media. Among other things in the Spanish media El Paípin Danish TV2 and in the podcast Riksrådet, where co-host Arnakkuluk Jo Kleist rounded off the latest episode by mentioning the two speeches.
The day after the speeches, Sermitsiaq met one of the speakers in Katuaq.
– There are a lot of important people here. And then we were also told that Trump’s envoy and the US ambassador should be here. It was a little nerve wreckingtold Uiloq Bak.
Before she had to continue into the hall and listen to some of the day’s presentations, Sermitsiaq’s journalist asked her if she thinks her speech can make a difference.
– Words are also power
One person who has absolutely no doubt that it makes a huge difference when young people take the big stages and speak to the people who decide is Anette Molbech, whom Sermitsiaq managed to catch before the conversation with Uiloq Bak.
– Young people are capable of a lot, and they deserve to have a place and be seen. And they don’t always do that, said Anette Molbech.
Through his business Arctic Action and in collaboration with The speech school VOICEfour years ago Anette Molbech started the initiative ‘Nordrøst’, which creates workshops where young people in the Nordic region are taught and trained in writing and giving speeches.
I hope that the young people will think more about what kind of things they would like to change in society and thus gain the courage to stand up and say something
Anette Molbech has done courses at secondary schools in Nuuk, Sisimiut and in the Faroe Islands. The aim of the speaking schools is, among other things, to create self-esteem, courage and dynamism among the young people.
– And I think all of that lies in the action when they stand there on that stage.
Uiloq Bak, Veronica Geisler and Aviaja Irene Hansen were some of the young people who took part in the workshop – and this was the result of their work, which the audience in Katuaq could see on May 19.
– These speeches come one hundred percent from the hearts of the young people. They are the ones who made up what they wanted to talk about. We give them a fairly broad framework, and then they write the speeches that we train them to deliver, Anette Molbech said.
She stood and wiped the tears away in the auditorium while she attended the two speeches at the conference.
– It’s one thing to teach someone how to express themselves, it’s another thing to give them a platform to express themselves from – to someone who has the power to act. Because the people sitting in that room have, she said.
– And the speeches that were given spoke to the extent of something that is super socially relevant right now; namely the relationship with the USA and about taking responsibility for Greenlandic society.
Many in the hall were touched by the words of the young women, but – does it actually make a real difference to give two really good but short speeches?
– Yes, it makes a difference, was the answer from Anette Molbech.
– For the individual people – i.e. for Uiloq and Veronica – I am one hundred percent sure that this of course gives them a feeling that someone is listening to them and that there are some platforms that you can actually go to if you want to have an influence.
– Because it is true that action must be created behind the words. But words are also power, and the way we talk about things also matters.
Encourages young people to follow along
Uiloq Bak runs daily in 1.N at GUX in Nuuk. Before taking part in the public speaking school, she had not really tried giving a speech before.
– I signed up for it because I get very nervous when I have to speak in front of other people, she told Sermitsiaq during the conference.
Her speech was about the country’s children, young people and the country’s future. Something that Uiloq Bak is very concerned about on a daily basis, as she has a small daughter at home.
– I want her to feel better than we have now, she said.
The first time she gave the speech was in front of the other students in the high school.
– I was really, really nervous there. I couldn’t really stand still, she said.
– Yesterday (for the conference, ed.) I had tried it before, so it was a little easier. Although I was still nervous.
In addition to talking about the future, the speech was also a call to other young people to keep up with social development and get more involved.
– When I wrote this speech, I talked to some of the other young people and asked if they followed and knew what was happening here in Greenland. But they didn’t follow – they didn’t see the news. They knew more about what was happening abroad than at home, said Uiloq Bak.
– I hope that the young people will think more about what kind of things they would like to change in society and in that way gain the courage to stand up and say something.
Do you think your speech here at the conference today can make a difference?
– I think so. I think that a lot of people here in Greenland don’t think about getting the young people to follow what is happening. They don’t really think about how they can make the young people do better and make progress – and I hope that there is someone in the room who thinks about that now, she replied.
Now you know how to stand up and make people listen. Is it something you think you will use in the future?
– Ever since I was little, I have always thought a lot about climate change and have been interested in politics, answered Uiloq Bak.
– I often think about whether I should go into politics, but I don’t know yet. But it is exciting.
