BELLSPIRATION presents: 18th International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of SEE Countries”

2020 brought new methodology for the EU accession process for the Western Balkans. Hereby, the thorny path to the EU of Western Balkans is coming to new hope for EU integration of the region. The new steps in the European integration process possess serious challenges for achieving the requirements by our societies in the order to deliver the required reforms.

The COVID19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our world. EU has committed to repairing emergent economic and social damage; to kickstart the economy and prepare for a better future for the next generation. Yet due to uncertainty, young people are concerned about their educational opportunities, freedom of movement, and other things that directly affect their quality of life such as future employment. A phenomenon of “lock-down generation” contributing to the epithets “lost generation” and “generation of ecological catastrophe” is potentially undoing the radical shift where young people positioned themselves at the frontline of systems change.

Our efforts so far were dedicated to establishing a solid link between the young people, the EU, and the national aspects of enlargement. It is also odd that the EU puts little emphasis on the need to involve the young people and civil society organizations from the region in the accession process. Hereby, there is a strong need for organizing young citizens’ consultations at both national and European level for the enlargement process of the Western Balkan.

Based on all of this, the conference is recognizing the need for a networking platform for sharing experiences and practices for the appropriate engagement of young people in the EU integration process. The 18th edition of the International Youth Conference would be a suitable online forum to discuss and create a joint youth vision for the future of the SEE region after the unpredictable and challenging 2020. A successful conference would make serious preparations for the next generations of leaders in the region for the EU integration process. Moreover, we will demonstrate that the European Union has to integrate the young people in the differentiated integration process across an increasingly demanding, complex, multi-tier Europe. (Conference team, http://www.krusevoconference.org.mk/)

The Forum will take place virtually from the 5th till the 10th of November. Participants will be having a unique opportunity to be part of the digital event, to interact with 80 young people from different countries, attend six productive plenary sessions, to create a common vision for the region that you want to live in, and to present your vision on the last day of the conference in front of the regional and European decision-makers.

Here, you can read some Conference participants' expectations for the 18th International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of SEE Countries”.

Nina Jovanovska, North Macedonia: I am a volunteer at Youth Alliance Krusevo and I was lucky to have been part of the preparation for the conference. I expect this Conference to be a huge success. It is my pleasure to see such devoted people joining in such an outstanding event. I also hope you, as participants, share the same excitement and optimism about the conference, as I do too.

Lefteris Immanuel Heretakis, Spain:  The conference has the power, through diversity, to remind us that we are all one.

Jovica Dimitroski, North Macedonia: Well I expect primarily to know more about European values, and its meaning for our community. Then to propose some steps to charge those.

Enxhi Hallvatori, Albania: My expectations consist of getting the proper knowledge about the different topics that are going to be discussed by the respective experts, and being able to listen and acknowledge each other's issues regarding sensitive topics, in order to successfully complete the workshop. Anything additional will be a great plus for me.

Alida Bojadžić, Montenegro: I am looking forward to this conference and I am expecting to further develop my network of young people that are constantly trying to improve themselves and their society. I hope to hear other's experiences and learn more about topics of the conference from the esteemed lecturers, mostly about security and disinformation and what can young people do in their communities to make an impact.

Mary Drosopulos, Greece: I expect fruitful conversations of how to promote regional cooperation in the covid-19 era.

Morgan Janowicz, Poland: I signed up for this conference mainly to network with open-minded and motivated people who are ready to implement their visions. I also would like to be able to ask some questions to the guests (using my voice not just by typing). I think that creating a space for networking was an amazing idea! I also would like to learn more about how the conference was organized.  I'm happy to be able to share my opinions with others and listen to theirs. Having the space to learn (without being judged) is a key point for me.

Endrit Mazreku, Kosovo: From this conference, I expect to hear the voice of young people from the Western Balkans, who are an integral part of European youth. From this conference, I expect to come to clear conclusions regarding the future of the Western Balkans in Europe and the youth of the Balkan countries. I look forward to providing greater opportunities for young people and alleviating their challenges. And I hope that at some point we will meet all the participants in one of the Balkan countries.

Mihail Divjakoski, North Macedonia: My expectations regarding this conference are that I will get an opportunity to meet many people from many different backgrounds, widen my network, and also get to know many new things, on all the topics that are mentioned in the agenda.