“By opening space and empowering young people to represent and defend their freedoms, values and capacities, we want to give them the opportunity to take an active part in the creation of an inclusive, modern and knowledge-based Europe,” said Mateja Norčič Štamcar, Chief Deputy of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, on the occasion of celebrating the International Youth Day.
The Youth Capital Novi Sad (OPENS) traditionally organises the celebration of this important date, and this year the focus is on the effects of the pandemic on young people. Younger generations have faced serious challenges in terms of mental health, the future of work and climate change during the pandemic.
This is even more evident among the young people who face multiple discrimination, such as young women, young people of unfavourable socio-economic status, young people with disabilities, those from remote areas or without qualifications, Norčič Štamcar said, adding that the European Commission is taking various steps to provide young people with all possible opportunities to develop their full potential and shape their future, especially in the context of the pandemic.
“Taking into account the EU Youth Strategy and other strategic documents, young people are provided with equal opportunities for education and career development, as well as incentives for active participation in social dialogue. We also invest significant resources in creating opportunities for young people in the Western Balkans. This means a greater focus on the socio-economic development of society, more funds for mobility and learning projects through the Erasmus+ Programme, in which Serbia continues to participate under equal conditions compared to the countries of the European Union,” said Mateja Norčič Štamcar.
They say from OPENS that cities can be favourable environments that help in the long recovery of young people, even in turbulent times. That is why their message is “ONE EUROPE” within which they discuss urban topics such as: envisioning youth-friendly settlements, community recreation through creativity and music, building climate-friendly cities.
This is the final event within the Urban Citizen I Project of the Europe for Citizens Programme, implemented by the Network of European Youth Capitals whose vision is one Europe with the cities dedicated to young people and the active inclusion of youth-related policies in local and regional development, participatory process and decision-making.
“Novi Sad is an example of how to create a Creative District in one place, and we owe our gratitude to Mayor Vučević and representatives of OPENS for accepting our invitation to share their knowledge and experience with local self-governments throughout Serbia,” said Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.
“On behalf of the City of Novi Sad and on my own behalf, I congratulate all young people in Serbia on their day. It is no coincidence that today this conference, working meeting, as well as a whole series of events, are being organized in the Creative District. I am proud of everything that we have done together in the past seven years with OPENS, that we have proven how the institutions of the system and the civil sector can successfully share tasks, but also responsibility”, added the mayor of Novi Sad, Miloš Vučević.
