The 16th React Youth Forum REACT #2023, organized by the ALFA Center, started today in Žabljak and will last until September 30.
Opening the 16th REACT, the executive director of "ALFA Center", Miloš Perović, said that the fact that they had more than 250 registered participants this year makes them especially happy and testifies in the best possible way to the quality and popularity that the forum enjoys among young people.
"During the past decade and a half, REACT has become a symbol of inclusivity and a place where the freedom of discussion, the diversity of topics, speakers and ambience have made us all eager to gather together, a place where everyone is welcome and where everyone feels comfortable," he said. Perović, according to the press release.
He pointed out that "the ALFA center, for many years, continuously, dedicatedly and responsibly contributes to the strengthening of citizens' trust in the justification of Montenegro's membership in NATO and the EU, and that the REACT camp determines and promotes the same values and principles on which modern Montenegro is built."
"The modernization of Montenegrin society implies not only the adoption of European standards, but also the ambition to bring Montenegro, after joining NATO, into the European Union," said the executive director of "ALFA Center".
REACT has been organized since 2008 and, according to Perović, has contributed to the education and training of young people from a large number of countries in Europe and the region on the topics of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, regional cooperation, defense, diplomacy, reconciliation and stability in the region.
And this year, in the form of a one-time scholarship, the most prominent participant will be awarded the "Aleksandar Šime Dedović" award for his contribution to the development of Euro-Atlantic thought. The award is a kind of tribute to the man whose "incredible energy, charisma and enthusiasm were key to starting the story of REACT".
"That is why it is the duty of all of us at 'Alfa Center' to successfully follow the mission of REACT, further improve it and ensure its long duration," said the executive director of "ALFA Center".
He thanked the municipality of Žabljak and its president Radoš Žugić for their hospitality, as well as the hotel "Enigma", and the fact that REACT is being organized in Žabljak for the fourth time speaks for the good cooperation with that municipality.
The President of the Municipality of Žabljak, Radoš Žugić, also spoke at the opening, who expressed his satisfaction that REACT is being held in Žabljak again this year.
"It is a special pleasure that forums are held in this city that want to educate, educate and guide our youth in a non-institutional way and point out the importance of European and Euro-Atlantic integrations that our country is rapidly striving for," said Žugić.
As he pointed out, full membership in the EU and Euro-Atlantic integration are something that should not be an alternative for any young man in Montenegro.
"A place in enlightened, advanced European states and civilizations is a place that Montenegro should strive for," said the President of the Municipality of Žabljak.
50 young people from the countries of the region are participating in this year's REACT, and during three days, ten lectures and five panel discussions will be organized by 20 eminent lecturers.
Bonus video:
