“We believe that young people are the real agents of change. By celebrating the International Youth Day, we want to shine a light on young people and encourage them to take action in their societies, because we believe that a better region starts with you(th),” said a message released on the International Youth Day by RYCO.
“Today, the Youth Representatives in the RYCO Governing Board are sharing their messages, inviting young people to stay connected, engaged, and make their positive impact in the Western Balkans,” said the message on Wednesday.
The Western Balkans region is composed of diverse and dynamic young people that have consistently proven their willingness to make a difference. In doing so, they should be enabled to participate and engage in activities with diverse needs and interests, and connect with one another across borders.
On the occasion of International Youth Day empowering messages from RYCO’s Youth Representatives in the Governing Board, encouraging young people in the Western Balkans to stay connected, engaged and take action in their communities are shared.
“It is a critical momentum for youth in the Western Balkans to take matters in their own hands and become agents of change in the region. It is up to our cooperation, persistence, and participation on policy and decision making, to speed up governmental agendas and to build the European future at home,” said Françeska Muço, Youth Representative of Albania in RYCO Governing Board.
For his part, Vladimir Gjorgjevski, Board’s Representative of North Macedonia, said:
“We need unity and cooperation in today’s challenging times, more than ever. Our fragile region needs its progressive youth to step up and engage in policy and decision-making processes, to advocate for the best interest of their peers, as this might prove to be the only way to bring positive social change and to move the region toward a more resilient and opportunity-rich future.”
Youth Representative of Montenegro Andrea Mićanović noted: “It is always easier to sit down and hope for social change to occur, but it takes courage and persistence to stand up and fight for it. We are often perceived as the future of our societies, but we are foremostly the present, because how we act today affects the world we will be living in tomorrow. Our region relies on us for a good reason. Let’s not let it down.”
Marko Kostić, Youth Representative of Serbia in RYCO Governing Board stressed:
“Western Balkans youth have a key role in peacebuilding, reconciliation and cooperation in the region. Recognizing and involving youth in decision-making processes allows them to assume leadership roles and gain skills that lead to better policies in the future. Involving young people empowers them to be a valued part of the community and provides them with an opportunity to boost their self-confidence.”/argumentum.al
