Virtual Council receives the PERLA Award 2024
The Virtual Council is an online citizen’s panel for young people. This digital innovation was developed during the ALL-YOUTH research project headed by Päivi Honkatukia, a Professor of Youth Research at Tampere University. The Virtual Council advances democracy and broadens the opportunities for young people to participate in society.
The Virtual Council was presented with the inaugural PERLA Award 2024, granted by the Tampere Centre for Childhood, Youth and Family Research.
“The Virtual Council offers children and young people the opportunity to discuss topics that they find interesting and relevant in a safe environment. Each discussion conducted on this platform is distilled into a core message, which is then published on the Virtual Council’s website and delivered to decision-makers. The Virtual Council was created to increase young people’s opportunities to participate in societal decision-making,” says Professor Päivi Honkatukia.
In addition, the award jury highlighted that the Virtual Council is a prime example of a research-based, innovative and practical tool with potential for international scalability.
The Virtual Council platform, initially developed as a prototype during the ALL-YOUTH project, has been implemented by Finland’s Ministry of Justice as part of its suite of e-democracy services. The platform aims to foster civic engagement among children and young people and promote everyday democracy. The Virtual Council allows the voices of children and young people to be more broadly incorporated into societal discussions and influence decision-making.
“The Virtual Council is the result of extensive and multifaceted collaboration and serves as a bridge-builder. It was developed in close collaboration among researchers participating in the ALL-YOUTH project, young people, the Ministry of Justice and civic organisations. The Virtual Council not only emerged from collaboration but also fosters collaboration, along with participation and democracy,” says PERLA’s Research Director Mia Tammelin, speaking on behalf of the jury.
Honourable mention for research that fosters a sense of community
PERLA awarded an honourable mention to Jenni Repo, who is writing her doctoral dissertation in social work, for her notable achievements in fostering a sense of community across campus and beyond.
“The jury wanted to draw attention to the value of community-building, which is too often overlooked,” notes Tammelin.
Repo is an accomplished researcher from the perspectives of both community-building and societal interaction. Among other things, she is involved in coordinating the Children, Families and Child Welfare Research Group and organising a variety of events that foster a sense of community not only within her immediate work community and the Faculty of Social Sciences but also on a national scale.
“Being an early-career researcher, I am fortunate to be included in groups and networks that bring together like-minded people. I believe it is important to create new avenues and opportunities for collaboration and community-building that welcome all those who are interested, regardless of their career stage or role,” says Doctoral Researcher Jenni Repo.
The PERLA Award was granted for the first time in 2024. From now on, the award will be presented annually, with a different theme each year. The award showcases the work of researchers and specialists at PERLA and its diverse range of activities. All members of PERLA’s network can nominate candidates for the award. The winner is selected by a jury comprising the Board of PERLA and external specialists.
Inquiries:
Professor Päivi Honkatukia, paivi.honkatukia [at] tuni.fi (paivi[dot]honkatukia[at]tuni[dot]fi), tel. +358 50 3268 458
Doctoral Researcher Jenni Repo, jenni.repo [at] tuni.fi (jenni[dot]repo[at]tuni[dot]fi), tel. +358 50 5143153
Associate Professor and PERLA’s Research Director Mia Tammelin, mia.tammelin [at] tuni.fi (mia[dot]tammelin[at]tuni[dot]fi), tel. +358 50 4793680
PERLA - Tampere Centre for Childhood, Youth and Family Research
