Young people in Montenegro, in addition to their rights, also have an obligation to continue changing the country with their ideas, said Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, adding that changes do not start with politics, but with people who do not wait.
Milatović, as announced by his office, opened the fourth "Youth for Youth" Forum in Podgorica today, organized by the Youth Activism Network of Montenegro with the support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth.
He said that Montenegro has a new generation that does not wait, does not complain, and does not give up, but changes the country with its actions.
"Everything in Montenegro has a complicated story, except this one: young people for young people. You help each other, you push this country forward when everyone else gets tired, and that is the most beautiful thing that Montenegro has today, a generation that doesn't wait," said Milatović.
In a conversation with young people from all over Montenegro, he said that changes do not come from above, but from the actions, ideas and initiatives of people who decide not to stand aside.
"Change begins the moment someone says: I don't want to wait. I'll do it. It begins when you organize an action, clean a river, make a video about injustice, or help someone without expecting anything in return. Activism is not a selfie, it's a lifestyle," Milatović said.
Speaking about education and European values, he also recalled the launch of the EU Academy, which will connect young people, students, and civil servants through practical learning and debate.
"The EU Academy is not a boring school about EU chapters," said Milatović.
According to him, it is a space where young people learn to fight with arguments, engage in dialogue, and change things from within.
"Europe is not somewhere out there, it is here, in our heads and in our hands," Milatović said.
He said that Montenegro must therefore be a country that rewards work, not obedience, so that young people work, learn, and progress according to their merits.
"I don't want to be a president who gives speeches to young people, I want to be a president who listens to you. If the state stops listening to young people, then the state has no future," Milatović pointed out.
Therefore, as he stated, the Council of Youth Initiatives creates an opportunity for young people's ideas to become part of real policies, and not just topics in speeches.
"In addition to rights, young people also have a great obligation: to continue changing Montenegro with your ideas, and not to wait for someone else to do it, because this country will not progress because someone from Brussels decides, but because young people from Berane, Nikšić, Herceg Novi, Bar and Rožaje will say: Enough talk, let's finish the job," Milatović said.
Bonus video:
