The successful completion of the European integration process offers the best prospects for the youth of the Western Balkans, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović, stating that the key causes of young people leaving their countries are ethno-nationalist narratives and socio-economic inequalities.
Ibrahimović today participated in the conference "Regional Cooperation and Youth Participation in the Reconciliation Process", organized in Podgorica by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he assessed that work should be intensified to encourage youth participation in policymaking and decision-making.
"Ibrahimović said that the best perspective for the youth of the Western Balkans is offered by the successful completion of the European integration process," the statement said.
He pointed to a worrying trend of young people leaving their countries, and the key causes, he said, are ethno-nationalist narratives and socio-economic inequalities.
"When we consider the role of young people in building more successful societies and preserving peace and stability in the region, we must start from their current position," Ibrahimović said.
As he stated, societies do not fail because young people leave, but because they do not believe they can change anything if they stay.
"That's why we don't need big words, but big deeds. We don't need to talk about the future of young people, but to build it together with them - now," said Ibrahimović.
He emphasized that a more intensive and systemic approach to youth policies is needed, which also implies more opportunities for their participation in shaping socio-political processes.
"The issue of youth inclusion is not just the responsibility of one department, but of the entire system," said Ibrahimović, emphasizing that cooperation among all stakeholders in society, as well as with international partners, such as RYCO and the OSCE, is important.
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