Young people from Serbia, the region and other European countries who have achieved remarkable business success were brought together in Novi Sad for a three-day Regional Youth Leadership Forum organised by the European Movement Novi Sad with the support of EU Delegation to Serbia.
Angelina Eichhorst, EEAS Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey, delivered a speech on the third day of the Forum and spoke about the European perspective of Serbia and the region. Read her prepared speech here
The Forum supported the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, set up at the Paris Summit held in July 2016 within the Berlin Process, which is expected to become operational in 2017.
Over 200 young people from across Europe shared their views and experience in workshops dealing with socio-political, economic and media issues which allowed to them focus on topics which suit them best as regards their education and business activity.
“It is important to hear young people’s voice, to learn what made them stay in their countries and continue their education or business there. Why, despite various difficulties, they haven’t given up and what are the challenges and obstacles they face on the road to success. These exceptional people are the best and the most useful interlocutors to their peers, the very same ones we are trying to keep from leaving the region. It will be good for them to hear that the unemployment is an issue faced by many in Europe,“ said Secretary General of the European Movement Novi Sad Aleksandar Simurdic.
Sonja Liht, the President of Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, said the Forum was of tremendous importance for the region and the world. She said that it was important to hear the voices of young people at all levels, adding that the recently held UK referendum and US presidential election showed a wide generation gap. She added that in a situation as such “it is important to talk to young people.“
“The outcomes of this Youth Forum will certainly feed into discussions and initiatives which make up the civic process which will then make further contribution to the agenda of the next Forum scheduled to take place in 2017 in Italy,” said the President of European Fund for the Balkans Hedvig Morai.
The Forum was participated in by young socially active people aged 19-30 who are willing to bring about change in their local communities. One of the Forum goals is putting an end to the past and start looking to the future. The contacts made during the Forum will contribute to networking among young people, encourage them to actively communicate, help them start their own business or work toward putting their ideas into practice in concert.
