Navigating the Future: Balancing Local Heritage and Global Perspectives in Muhu
22nd August 2024
Muhu is an above average rural area – our heritage is still alive, our population is growing and we receive several awards a year in different fields. Among other things, a nationwide survey has twice shown that Muhu residents are the most satisfied with where they live. There is a contradiction here – when you talk to young people, most of them do not see their future as being linked to Muhu. The specificity of Muhu is that education on the island can be completed up to the end of primary school, and after that you have to resume your studies either on the next island Saaremaa or on the mainland. Among those who go, there are young people who do not plan to return for more than a family visit every now and then, and there are those who see their distant future linked to Muhu. A few come back as soon as school is over. This is where local heritage and a sense of community can help. Knowing where one’s roots are, and understanding the sometimes odd nuances of local behaviour, creates a much-needed sense of belonging.
Young people can be supported in understanding their local heritage through formal education. In Muhu Primary School, this is done through a special local history class, but also through various trips and other events focusing on local heritage. However, non-formal education should not be forgotten, as it offers many real-life learning opportunities. In fact, we want young people to explore the world, broaden their horizons, learn to think outside the box and then come back to serve the local community in a more informed way. One way to help do this locally is through international relationships. In the school system, this is done through friendship schools. Our folk musicians and folk dancers have gotten into a number of festivals abroad.
Youth work also offers the opportunity to take part in youth exchanges, projects and training abroad. Such experiences contribute to young people’s personal development, improve their communication skills and broaden their world view. Living in the countryside, such opportunities are important as they offer the chance to experience something new and different that cannot be experienced locally. By comparing, and sometimes contrasting, other cultures and customs, young people can learn about the values, characteristics and charms of their own community.
