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EUROPEAN VALUES FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES INSPIRATION FROM INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
Krusevo 2012
This publication is based on the tenth International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of the Southeastern European Countries”, 2012 which was serving as forum for discussions and reflections of youth leaders from SEE as one of the main creative and productive forces of the region, whose ideals and aspirations will underpin the development of the region as a prosperous, democratic and stable region in the framework of the European Union. The Conference was organized by Youth Alliance Krusevo in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Foundations, Office Skopje.
This project was supported by Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe sponsored by Germany.
Coordination, writing & editing:Youth Alliance Krusevo str. Mise Eftim 1a, 7550 [email protected]
Reproduction and use for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided the source www.youthalliance.org is mentioned and [email protected] is notified.
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Table of contents
I. CONFERENCE BACKGROUND 5
II. CONFERENCE PROFIlE 7
III. PROGRAMME OVERVIEW: SESSIONS WITH A MESSAGE 11
IV. FUTURE PlANNING: CONCRETE ACTION PlANS 43
THANK YOU! 45
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I. CONFERENCE BACKGROUNDWHERE DID IYC 2012 COME FROM?
The economic crisis, conflicts and the political instability that were occurring in this region in the last 10 years of the 20th century were the reason for development of stereotypes and prejudges among the people. These phenomenon keep on appearing among young people and it is important to rise above them in order to evolve the youth into a successful leaders of tomorrow. European integration is the only idea on which all countries, societies, ethnic and religious groups from SEE can join together and use their shared pasts as an opportunity to create a common future. Following Europe’s example of overcoming nationalism by integrating the states and their common interests after centuries of blood conflicts with neighbors, Europe was given an unprec-edented period of peace, welfare and stability, in 2003 we began taking specific actions based on the European Union for pop-ularizing and supporting young active leaders of the South East European region. We decided our action should have regional character, keeping in mind that the societies of the region are closely related and that the good and bad things very often cross over from one country to another.
The initiative that we (a few interconnected organizations and active young leaders) took grew into a Traditional Youth confer-ence in which for the last 9 years 554 different individuals, youth leaders have taken active participation. Also, 168 organizations, networks and institutions have been presented at our conferences. Numerous experts, politicians, diplomats and eminent individ-uals have been a part of our activities as speakers and consultants.
Trough the messages sent from our conferences, the active young people have been sending their views and suggestions for different socio-economic actualities in the region and have always strived to have an influence on the local, national and re-gional decision making process. Channeling the discussion’s conclusions and results from their organizations and communities, the participants at our events have had the role of multipliers of our commitments. That way we have been trying to achieve our basic goal: to convey to our youth the competences required to become tolerant citizens who are empowered to promote and implement democratic values.
At the last 9 conferences we have clearly noted our vision for a faster Europeanization of the region, we consistently exchanged opinions and experiences with active young leaders from our surroundings, we have sent declarations, suggestions, calls, opinions and proposals, started new friendships, identified the problems of our societies and have discussed them from a critical/self-critical point of view, always trying to suggest a solution.
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The responsibility we have as young leaders towards the societies we live in, commits us in continuing our work with an even higher level of intensity. Given the economical and political situation, 2012 has envisioned new challenges for us young leaders and has set new priorities in our work for supporting our societies in the integration processes.
In times of economical crisis at global and EU level in 2011, the South East European region has re-experienced some recidivism from the past. Because of the economical weakness of some of the societies, increasing of the unemployment rate and the eco-nomical instability of the citizens, the support of the reform processes which are necessary not only for the EU membership, but also for a complete Europeanization of the region is declining.
The political elites very often, especially among the young people, take advantage of the Euro- skepticism as a result of the lack of progress that the societies make towards the EU integration. In exchange for European integration and a European future, con-ditions are made for developing nationalism as an alternative.
Last year’s only bright light in the integration processes of the region was Croatia’s integration as a member of the EU. Croatia’s success gave a dose of optimism and encouragement in the other societies of the region.
Having in mind that the political elites in the region lack devotion for the integration of the whole region in the EU and by that pro-viding political and economical stability it is left to the civil society and the NGO’s to have the obligation of being active promoters of the European integration idea.
It is very important for us to keep the idea of EU integration alive, especially in the young people’s considerations. It is because of this that we think we should continue working on the support of finishing the European integration of the region as our most import-ant political goal.
For the 2012 conference along with our partners and consultants, we have chosen topics which encroach in the young people’s system of values. Also, along with our partners and friends from Germany who will be mentors and participants at the conference we will look over these topics and will give appropriate recommendations and a final document.
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II. CONFERENCE PROFIlE
FACTSHEETInternational Youth Conference FACTS & FIGURESType: International Youth Conference;
Topics: European Values for the Future of Southeastern European Countries;
Venue: Krusevo, Republic of Macedonia;
Dates: 21st to 25th September 2012;
People: 55 participants;
Outcomes: New insights, new contacts, new projects and recommendations;
Organiser: Youth Alliance Krusevo in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Office Skopje;
Funding: Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe sponsored by Germany
Contact person:
Mr. Metodija Stojceski, Project coordinator
Tel: + 389 (0) 78 305 252
E-mail: [email protected]
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ExECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2012, Youth Alliance Krusevo celebrated ten years of the organization of the first International Youth Conference “European Val-ues for the Future of the Southeastern European Countries”. The tenth International Youth Conference was five days of intensive work which was serving as forum for discussions and reflections of youth leaders from SEE as one of the main creative and productive forces of the region, whose ideals and aspirations underpin the development of the region as a prosperous, democratic and stable region in the framework of the European Union. Within this context, fifty-five (55) active young people from 15 countries (Macedo-nia (host country), Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Germany, Kosovo under UNSC 1244/1999, Monte Negro, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey) focused on promoting the European values as common values of young people in SEE. This event took place in Krusevo, Macedonia, from 21st to 25th of September, 2012. The event provided inspirational insights into the role of young people in achieving the European values in their societies and devel-oping recommendations and proposals for further youth actions for promotion of these core values among young people in Europe and particularly in SEE. The conference consisted of both parallel sessions adapted to the different groups present, and common sessions for all stakeholders. The conference programme introduced participants to variety methods for promotion of the European Values and provided opportunities for experiencing European values by exchanging realities, opinions and values with relevant stakeholders and active young people from SEE and Europe. Also it was an ideal opportunity for networking, finding solution, for discussions between different stakeholders and for communicating outcomes and making impact. This all led to an impressive set of action plans, aimed at bringing the European values closer to our realities.
OBJECTIVESWHAT DID IYC 2012 WANT TO ACHIEVE?to experience European values by exchanging realities, opinions and values with other active young people from SEE and Europe;
to discuss and recognize different realities of important issues that influence young people and sustainable development of SEE and Europe in general, namely youth employment, new age media, active youth participation and young people & EU enlargement in SEE;
to cultivate mutual understanding and respect for cultural differences and show the need of youth cooperation at regional level in SEE and European level in general in order to achieve more cohesion within the SEE and EU (in general) and contribute for effective youth activities (in particular);
to develop creative and critical thinking, active participation and initiative among young people by motivating them to en-gage in projects developed at all levels;
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to get to know more about SEE and Europe and the important role the youth can play having an active citizenship for the future of EU enlargement in SEE.
to identify recommendations and proposals for further youth actions for promotion of European values among young people in Europe and particular in SEE.
ON THE PROGRAMMEWHAT HAPPENED AT IYC 2012?
1 official opening addresses;1 presentation of video clip “Best Moments of IYC, Krusevo, 2003-2012;1 presentation of “Conference Museum”5 keynote contributions from experts, professors, researchers, journalists etc;1 round table discussion;9 individual presentations of the participants;1 panel discussion;9 interactive workshops; Many recommendations, suggestions and ideas for next steps.
PARTICIPANTSWHO WAS AT IYC 2012?85 stakeholders took part in the International Youth Conference;55 active youth workers, youth leaders and active young people from SEE; 10 local, national and regional policy-makers, researchers and experts; 9 speakers;3 moderators; 6 facilitators;1 general reporter12 staff supporters and 2 coordinators
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III. PROGRAMME OVERVIEW:SESSIONS WITH A MESSAGE
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Opening ceremonyThe official opening started with the welcome notes directed to the participants by H.E. Ms. Gudrun Steinacker - Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Republic of Macedonia who underlined the importance of this event for the young peo-ple and their contribution in the process of Euro Atlantic integration of the Southeast Europe.
It was great honor and privilege for the conference organizers and the participants to be addressed by Mr. Rolf Hempelmann, Member of German Bundestag.
Mr. Metodija Stojceski, President of Youth Alliance Krusevo, introduced to the Conference, followed by the intervention of Ms. Nita Starova, Representative from Friedrich Ebert Foundation, office Skopje, who spoke for the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, office Skopje as partner of the International Youth Conference.
The conference team welcomed the participants and reiterated the aims and objectives of the conference, and presented the programme and practicalities.
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Plenary session
Introduction speech:Prof. d-r Nano Ruzin,Faculty for Political sciences, FON University
Topic: EuropEan idEnTiTy – WhErE doEs EuropE End?
GOOD NEIGHBOURlY RElATIONS IN EUROPEAN UNION ARE ONE OF THE HOlY PRINCIPlES OF THE EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION;
SHORT OVERVIEW:•“For any misfortune, failure or defeat, the state, it’s governor, God or Allah should take the responsibil-
ity for it” - wrote Jules Verne.
• Have you ever wondered where the name Europe originates from?
In the mythological story for the life of Princess Europa, almost any name, person or town became symbols over the centuries. The origin of Princess Europa was divine - Asian and Balkan. In her genealogy there are various gods, waters, animals with horns and Moon.
The name Europa occurs in Hesiod’s long list of daughters of primordial Oceanus and Tethys. The story of her abduction by Zeus in the form of a white bull was a Cretan story; as Kerényi points out “most of the love-stories concerning Zeus originated from more ancient tales describing his marriages with goddesses. This can especially be said of the story of Europa”. The daughter of the earth-giant Tityas and mother of Euphemus by Poseidon was also named Europa.
Europa’s great-grandmother was the daughter of the Inah River which Zeus turned into a cow. Subsequently he restored her human character under the name Ija and he impregnated her just with a touch. She gave birth to a son.
Ija birth Epaf, son of Zeus, otherwise the divine bull Apis who ruled with Egypt, who got his daughter, Libya. Libya as the wife of the master of the sea, Poseidon, gave birth to the son Agenor - father of Europa. Agenor married Argiopa, priestess of the moon. From their marriage Europa was born and her five brothers, including the strongest Cadmus who remained as the most famous king-hero.
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Zeus has fallen in love with his own granddaughter Europa, but because of the discomfort asked the wise god Hermes to help him with this love with Europa. Hermes took a flock of King Agenor towards the seashore where Zeus transformed into a white bull interfered with the cattle. Nearby the cattle, the blue eyed beauty Europa was picking the flowers. Zeus was a classic seducer - a beautiful white bull with a black bar nose. He allowed Europa to put a wreath of his horns and to ride him. When Europa climbed on his back, he suddenly flew and took her on Crete. Since their relationship the Cretan dynasty was created.
• First Europe was identified with ancient Greece and the Balkans. Europe occurred on the Balkans. Herodotus, the father of history, as he named Cicero, though analysis of various conflicts between Europe and Asia, he referred to the old tradition that women were reasons for these.
• Women and the womanhood were at the heart of the legendary events in our continent. In the center of that Balkan world was the sea. That sea, the Mediterranean Sea, Homer called “The Wine – Dark Sea.” To this legend are added: the creativity and humanism of ancient Greece, but also other cultural, philosophical, civil, democratic values of antiquity.
• The other two axes of Europe are the Roman Empire with its law, Latin language, citizenship, art and architecture with which this Empire bestowed Europe. The third source of Europe is Christianity, which has realized the largest and most universally spiritual unification of the peoples of the British Isles to Constantinople. According to Paul Valéry, over the European civiliza-tion, the Celtic, Saxon, German, Arabic and Slavic civilization had great influence.
• The epochs of the Renaissance, Humanism, Enlightenment, revolutions, world imperial quests and ambitions, world wars, discoveries, industrial revolution, art, culture, science, the modulated the idea, style, tolerance, dialogue, standards and de-mocracy of Europe. The materialization of this historical idea became reality in 1957 with the creation of the European Union.
• Good neighborly relations in the European Union are one of the holy principles of the European Construction
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Plenary session
Introduction speech:Prof. George Voskopoulus,Assistant Professor of European Studies at University of Macedonia, Greece
• EUROPEAN VAlUES ARE UNITING FORCES IN SEE;• EUROPEAN INTEGRATION = SENSE OF COMMUNITY +
COMMON INSTITUTIONS + POOlING OF SOVEREIGNTY;SHORT OVERVIEW:
• “For any misfortune, failure or defeat, the state, it’s governor, God or Allah should take the responsi-bility for it” - wrote Jules Verne.
• Have you ever wondered where the name Europe originates from?
In the mythological story for the life of Princess Europa, almost any name, person or town became symbols over the centuries. The or-igin of Princess Europa was divine - Asian and Balkan. In her genealogy there are various gods, waters, animals with horns and Moon.The name Europa occurs in Hesiod’s long list of daughters of primordial Oceanus and Tethys. The story of her abduction by Zeus in the form of a white bull was a Cretan story; as Kerényi points out “most of the love-stories concerning Zeus originated from more ancient tales describing his marriages with goddesses. This can especially be said of the story of Europa”. The daughter of the earth-giant Tityas and mother of Euphemus by Poseidon was also named Europa.Europa’s great-grandmother was the daughter of the Inah River which Zeus turned into a cow. Subsequently he restored her human character under the name Ija and he impregnated her just with a touch. She gave birth to a son.Ija birth Epaf, son of Zeus, otherwise the divine bull Apis who ruled with Egypt, who got his daughter, Libya. Libya as the wife of the master of the sea, Poseidon, gave birth to the son Agenor - father of Europa. Agenor married Argiopa, priestess of the moon. From their marriage Europa was born and her five brothers, including the strongest Cadmus who remained as the most famous king-hero.ABSTRACT: The impact of European values as a uniting force applied to a long parcelized security sub-system has had a positive effect on relations among south east European countries. They literally and cognitively focus on eliminating or controlling centrifugal forces that have long led to conflict and zero-sum games thus allowing little space for accommodation. They operated as a means of social-izing states with a modern modus operandi. Their evantual success depends on political will and the role of elites.
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SHORT OVERVIEW:• European values: Democracy, Peace, Rule of Law, Cooperation and Constitutional Prerequisites • The Means:
- Integration (a process of uniting dissimilar parts);- Integration theory aims at describing & explaining the process of unifying sovereign nation-states;- Establishing common institutions (positive integration).
• Defining Integration - Integration is defined in terms of goals & the processes adopted with the aim of “attaining within a territory, of a sense of community & of institutions and practices strong enough & widespread enough to assure for a long time dependable expectations of peaceful change among its population
• Integration Equation - European Integration = sense of community + common institutions + pooling of sovereignty
• The aim: the establishment of a community of states & the establishment of a community of interests• Why values matter:
- In conformity with the EU’s international role and actor status;- The EU has adopted “civilian forms of influence and action” (no hard power)
• A normative role: “The consolidation of the rule of law and respect for human rights, as well as the preservation of peace & the strengthening of international security, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and as provided for in Article 11 of the EU Treaty, are of fundamental importance to, and a priority for, the Union”;
• Enlargement: Enlargement will eventually produce a larger and stronger Union capable of mobilizing resources for a global policy, since most of Europe’s problems will be settled because enlargement is in itself a foreign policy tool;
• Enlargement and values: - Homogenizing process- A process of state socialization- A process of changing views, attitudes, values, mode of interaction- A new national value system
• Problems: - Values are nominally universal in a de-centralized sovereign state environment- National interests- Institutional dys-functionalities- Nationalism • Southeast Europe: Zero-sum games; Clashing nationalisms; Conflicting past & Traumatic historical experiences• Values and elites:
- The elites as a socializing force- The elites as agents of social changes- The elites as agents of cognitive biases
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Topic: How the experience from French – German reconciliation process can be inspiration for European Idea?
Keynote contribution: • HE Gudrun Steinacker, Ambassador of the Federal
Republic of Germany to the Republic of Macedonia• It is very important the young people to get involved
into building of the future as soon as possible! SHORT OVERVIEW:• I belong to the generation in which we had the youth revolution, in the late sixty and early seventy, against the establishment.
Those who were in the establishment very often intended simply to ignore young people;
• The German-French Youth Office is very good example of how the decision makers can involve young people in the decisions making process;
• Between France and Germany the reconciliation process was also not easy, but thanks to the German French Youth Office 10000 of young people got to know each other, got friends and like this they contributed on very personal way to the German- French reconciliation. It is very important the young people to get involved into building of the future as soon as it possible;
• Young people nowadays, because they can communicate a lot by the new media, particularly by the internet, by each oth-er, they very often have the same goals and aims;
• Young people want to have good life, they want to learn, to get to know new things, to make friends and they want to live in prosperous countries where they can contribute with their work to the future of their countries but and to the Europe in general.
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Panel Discussion
• Vive la Difference! Respect through understanding of the difference!
• The young generation is not respon-sible for what happened of the past. But they are responsible for what history will make of it!
Other Panelists: Ms. Louise Meyer, France, Ms. Sabrina Göschl, Germany, Ms. Selma Polovina, France, Mr. Thomas Leszke, Germany.
SHORT OVERVIEW:• German–French Youth Office DFJW/OFAJ is founded in 1963 by the German and French government (De Gaulle and Ad-
enauer) as the “most beautiful child” of the Elysée-treaty; • The DFJW is an international organization serving the German-French cooperation with two addresses in Berlin and Paris;• DFJW / OFAJ activities:
- Since 1963, the DFJW has made about 8 million young Germans and French participating in 300,000 encounters and exchanges.
- The budget of the DFJW comes from a fund that is fed in equal parts by the German and French governments. - The DFJW promotes each year more than 11,000 encounters (more than 6,500 group exchange programs and some
4,300 individual exchange programs) attended by some 200,000 young people• Philosophy of DFJW work:
Mr. Frank Morawietz,The French-German Youth Offices
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1. Vive la difference! : Respect through understanding of the difference → To know and understand better the other culture but also the own culture (exchange in both directions)→ Common interests but different perspectives and the (poltical) will to find a common answer (intercultural learning / intercultural teams)
2. Intercultural learning as a fundamental topic- understanding of „intercultural“ is not country-orientated;- How to face the „uncertain“, the „stranger“, the „unknown“...?;- How to face complexity...?;- How to deal with a situation, in which my „cultural programmation“ doesn‘t lead to the expected result...?3. Mutuel exchange- to discover together both cultures- 2 x 1 week- a bilateral and intercultural team- to wake up curiosity for the language of the neighbor• DFJW trinational programs- 10% - 15% of the programs are tri-national exchange programs. Since 2000, DFJW is active in South Eastern Europe on behalf of
both governments and with the support of the German Foreign Office and the French Foreign Ministry• Southeast Europe Initiative of DFJW – Objectives:- Promotion of civil society and democracy; - Participation in the European dialogue;- Experience of the Franco-German reconciliation and cooperation as inspiration and practical instrument (not as a model);- Construction of networks• Against the backdrop of Franco-German reconciliation and cooperation, the aim of the FGYO in its involvement with the coun-
tries of the Balkans is an aim not of lesson-teaching but rather of passing along experiences while promoting intercultural learning and socio-political commitment. The many encounter and exchange programs with South Eastern Europe provide a particularly clear example of the lengths to which the FGYO goes to accompany young people as they mature into the citizens who will take responsibility for Europe.
• „The young generation is not responsable for what happened of the past. But they are responsable for what history will make of it“, Richard von Weizsäcker (german president 1984 – 1994) - speech on the 08th May in the German Parliament.
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SHORT OVERVIEW:• The results of the Bhagavat Educational Trust project reflect on the confidence of the people who participate in them, since
over 60% of these young people are getting employed and this speaks loudly of the change this projects make in the psy-chology of the young people, boosts their self confidence and lets them get the best out of them;
• A country needs to understand that if its people are healthy and happy and satisfied than the government will get happy and productive workers. It is a connected thread which can only be successful if the governments invest it the healthcare and well being of their people.
• Self help: people getting together in order to mutually benefit from each other; • In emergency and in the family we express solidarity but outside of these situations we forget how to practice solidarity;• Emphasize is on the importance of encouraging each other besides encouraging ourselves. We need equality, social
groups of different social status can get together in order to help one another in the case of sharing the same values and social problems;
• “Self help can not function without self help promotion”;• Use our ideas, not be afraid. Find a way to make your ideas come to life. Make seminars where we can motivate each other.
Plenary session
Introduction speech:Dr. Heinz Bongartz,Director of Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Office Skopje
Topic: Encouraging sElf hElp and solidariTy • SElF HElP: PEOPlE GETTING TOGETHER IN ORDER TO MUTU-
AllY BENEFIT FROM EACH OTHER; • A COUNTRY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF ITS PEOPlE ARE
HEAlTHY, HAPPY AND SATISFIED THAN THE GOVERNMENT WIll GET HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE WORKERS. IT IS A CONNECTED THREAD WHICH CAN ONlY BE SUCCESSFUl IF THE GOVERNMENTS INVEST IT THE HEAlTHCARE AND WEll BEING OF THEIR PEOPlE.
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SHORT OVERVIEW:•Social inclusion as a result of Mobility Projects with Bhagavat Educational Trust – “We are not in a posi-tion in which we have nothing to work with. We already have capacities, talents, direction, missions and
callings. “ Abraham Maslow;• It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness;• BET is not only a charity, but an organization for Mutual Assistance whereby one disadvantaged group assists another to the mutual
benefit of both groups;• In a rapidly changing world, lifelong learning needs to be a priority, key to employment, economic success, allowing people to par-
ticipate fully in society. This underpins the guiding principles of Living & Learning Abroad, allowing opportunities for social & European inclusion to disadvantaged young people
• Our philosophy: Concentrate on the individual:- The Young Person in the center → Assessment of status, areas of needs, interests → Identification of specific support necessary →
Career seminar, relevant qualification → Individual career plan according their needs → Finding suitable contacts; making ap-pointments → Support after the project for following their career path
• Results over the last 3 years:Sending- Soft Skill outcomes 100% of the team leaders find the young people more motivated; 100% of the young people become more sociable after the project;100% are trying harder in their career development; 100% of the young people have greater patience, tolerance & Empathy66% have gained new skills 60% feel more confident … 40 % progress into employment/self-employment 31% progress in to Education/training 10% Progress in to volunteering/community 19% Unemployed/Other
Introduction speech:Mr. Paul Baron,Leonardo Mobility Certificate Holders, Bhagavat Educational Trust
KEy mEssagEs: • IN A RAPIDlY CHANGING WORlD, lIFElONG lEARNING NEEDS
TO BE A PRIORITY, KEY TO EMPlOYMENT, ECONOMIC SUC-CESS, AllOWING PEOPlE TO PARTICIPATE FUllY IN SOCIETY.
Plenary session
Moderator: Mr. Omer Kaya, Turkey
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Topic: difficulTiEs in implEmEnTaTion of youTh programmEs and Way of supporTing?
Parallel workshops Facilitator: Ms. Gordana Ristic, Serbia
Workshop I: Networking and regional cooperation – way to exchange the experiencesConclusions:COOPERATION – LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNAITONAL
• Access to the national and international level;• Cooperation between NGOs helps building a better future for the society;• International cooperation makes NGOs and youth programmes more powerful;• Cooperation between small NGOs and powerful NGOs, because of financial resources, human resources and other needs
(technical, equipment, space…).CHALLENGES:
• Adopt successful and new methodologies of activities;• NGOs should focus more on lobbying for themselves, their activities.
BENEFITS:• Cooperation between NGOs and youth programmes would help the voices of youth to be heard by decision-makers who do not
include youth activities in their priorities;• Implementing the project in a different reality;• Organizing youth programmes: youth exchanges, trainings, conferences etc.• Promoting youth values through networking.
Conclusions:Workshop II: Raising the support – funds, services, resources…
- Fundraising: European level (EU-Youth in Action – to ensure stable programming, CoE – European Youth Foundation), national lev-el – ministries, agencies, foundations, embassies-American, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Swiss, French, Belgium, Japan…;
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local level-local foundations, authorities, self sustainable activities (selling trainings, pho-to-copying…); support from business sector (philanthropy) – banks, mobile companies, shops, restaurants…
- Available services – coordination on the local level, facilitation in cooperation with public institutions and local authorities (youth councils, youth offices, international organisations (EU/TACSO)…)
- Available resources – technical equipment, space premises, volunteers (local organisa-tions gathering only volunteers – Local Voluntary Service), experts, donations in goods and materials…
Workshop III: Youth activism – way to involve young people more?Detecting the Main problems:
- Motivation- Spreading the information- Finding the answer of the question: why the young people are not getting included in
the NGO’s?- Lack of self-confidence (they think they are not able to do “that”) - How to achieve young people to visit NGO’s?
What should we do?- Promote the past project’s (successful stories) so the future young people know in what
they are getting in; - Promote volunteerism; - Give them information what will be happened if they don’t get involved at all (try to make
them responsible for not choosing activism by showing the different side); - Provide support to proactive young people (systematic support) by the state and the
ministry’s ;- Youth activism like a subject in junior school, some kind of a formal education about the
non-formal education;- Selling the product, so you need to understand what the youth want, and give it to them;
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Topic: nEW agE mEdia – social mEdia KEy mEssagEs: •Democracy = Protects the freeDom anD equality of inDiviDuals;• internet is like tattoo- you like it now, but you will regret it in 10 years!
Round Table Discussion Keynote contribution: Mr. Saso Ordanoski, Professional journalist
SHORT OVERVIEW:
• Privacy, Democracy anD the social meDia: a contraDiction in terms?
• Internet is like tattoo- you like it now, but you will regret it in 10 years!
• Privacy anD Democracy:
- Democracy =Protects the freedom and equality of individuals;
- If you are bind by laws, you are entitled to participate in determining those laws;
- Civil, socio-economic and political rights are guaranteed although not clearly separated;
- People have legitimate political interest in privacy. • Personal desires, interests and capacities of individuals shape and realize their collective interests =content of democratic politics;• But moral and political capacities of individuals can stay outside of politics too (religion; arts; sexual orientation; raising of kids; pur-
suit of knowledge …);• Democracy vs. Privacy: political rights are rights of collective choices, association and expression (collective identity)-privacy rights
are rights of personal choice, association and expression (personal identity);
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• “Privacy is a bundle of rights, a bundle of sticks. How many sticks do you have to take out before you lose your bundle, your overall right?” - B.C.Rowe;
• PRIVACY vs. HABITS vs. DEMOCRACY- A study from Duke University estimates that habits, rather than conscious decision-mak-
ing, shape 45% of the choices we make every day.- The Obama’s 2008 campaign has hired a habit specialist as its “chief scientist” to figure
out how to trigger new voting patterns among different constituencies. Project code-name: Narwhal
- If successful, Narwhal would fuse the multiple identities of the engaged citizen—the online activist, the offline voter, the donor, the volunteer—into a single, unified political profile.
• MORE ON PUBLIC SPHERE- According to Habermas, a variety of factors resulted in the eventual decay of the pub-
lic sphere, including the growth of a commercial mass media, which turned the critical public into a passive consumer public; and the welfare state, which merged the state with society so thoroughly that the public sphere was squeezed out. It also turned the “public sphere” into a site of self-interested contestation for the resources of the state rather than a space for the development of a public-minded rational consensus.
• FACEBOOK vs. PUBLIC SPHERE- The internet revolution fragmented the public square and re-drew the borders of polit-
ical communities. The irony here is that the free flow of information became a torrent that threatened to wash away all context and nuance in public discussions. Social media may have empowered people to stand up to the powerful (and this point is debatable), but it has done nothing to strengthen the deliberative and representative processes of democracy. In other words, it has shown it can tear down society, as in Egypt, but not that it can contribute to building up a new society in its place.
- The rapid advances in cognitive science have helped us understand how people think, but that new knowledge threatens to become a powerful instrument of manipu-lation. This would mark a radical break from the Enlightenment tradition of idea-based politics, making Karl Rove, not Karl Popper, the avatar of 21st-century neo-democratic politics.”- Mr. Ivan Krastev
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Topic: youTh policiEs and sTraTEgiEs from a youTh pErspEcTivE Panel Discussion Keynote contribution: Mr. Papaioannou Charalampos (Babis)President of the UNESCO Youth Club of Thessaloniki
• 3 stePs 4 builDing youth Policy: Dialogue with civil society; social targets baseD on the neeDs of the young PeoPle & active involvement of the young PeoPle anD the youth organization
ABSTRACT:Building a Youth Policy in Europe is something new but a clear priority for European Union and the Council of Europe. Youth Policy is not only a tool for bringing young people more close to national and European institutions. It’s not only a method for training future citizens. It’s a strategy for democratic understanding of the society’s needs and at the same time an investment in the most crucial part of our societies, young people.
The last 25 years the European Union and the Council of Europe have developed a big number of tools, methods, programs, best practices awards, competitions and many other ways to build a Youth Policy around Europe. The target is to have a policy for young people into 3 levels: Local, national and European. In every step there are partnerships, cooperation, institutions, active civil society and of course young peoples needs.
There are countries with years of experience in youth policy, others without youth policy and there are countries that try to develop youth policy. SEE is a typical example of the absence of youth policy and at the same time a region with unclear conditions at the civil society level.
From 2001 and the famous “White Paper on Youth” of the European Commission until the present “EU Strategy on Youth Policy” in link with the “EU Strategy 2020” there are a lot of good examples, a lot of guidelines and a lot of money spend in our beautiful SEE.
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The needs of the young people in parallel with the social problems in the region, the policy making of the governments and the role of the civil society are the road map that guides us to the next step. The creation of a user-friendly youth policy around SEE with the full participation of the young people is the final step. There is a need of work, experiments and trash in between the social partners and there is a need for a clear, transparent and democratic agreement for building a youth policy on a country level all around the region.
SHORT OVERVIEW:• BUILDING YOUTH POLICY IN EUROPE
- Thematic priority for European Union and the Council of Europe;
- A tool for training young people in democracy and EU values;
- An investment in people, ideas and institutions;
- A place for open discussions about problems, ideas, proposals;
- A tool to support the idea of European Identity / Citizenship;
- A change/ opportunity for young people to experiment their skills;
- An open space for social initiatives.
• 3 STEPS 4 BUILDING YOUTH POLICY
I. Dialogue with civil society;
II. Social targets based on the needs of the young people;
III. Active involvement of the young people and the youth organization
- In Local (local youth councils, local youth agreement)
- National (national youth council, national youth strategy)
- European Level (European youth forum, European youth strategy)
• GOOD ExAMPLES OF YOUTH POLICY
- Nordic model of youth participation in the decision making process;
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- Belgium and German model of youth NGO cooperation with the local authorities;
- Italian emergency volunteer network;
- The francophone global volunteer network;
- Greek national network of Local Youth Councils;
- The initiative of the city of Rotterdam for the title of “European Youth Capital”;
- The “Youth Events” of the E.U. Presidencies;
- The “Structure Dialogue on Youth Policy” by the E.C.;
- The European Youth Centers network of the CoE.
• USE THE YOUTH TOOLS & PARTICIPATE: White Paper on Youth; EU Strategy on Youth; European Strategy 2020; Youth in Action; Europe for Citizens; INTERREG / Cross border cooperation; LIFE+; MED; LLL
• Create links – networks and partnerships
- Forward information about good practices on youth policy;
- Involve the local authorities and the youth institutions;
- Use the social media;
- Ask and create no budget social initiatives;
- Report your best practices;
- Create partnerships and “export” know how;
- Press for structured, active and transparence youth policy in local level;
- Involve international key players;
- Lobby about your job.
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Keynote contribution: Mr. Omer Kaya, Izmit Municipality, Youth Work Coordinator
•Democracy must be something more than two wolves anD a sheeP voting on what to have for Dinner
SHORT OVERVIEW:• A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes;
• Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner;
• As long as we do not base our arguments on an arguable platform through different approaches, it doesn’t matter how great we explain all and how deep in detail we share!
• National and International Development starts from Local base!
• Certain policies that are created and implemented by central governments do not have many chances to be successful;
• Local Youth Policies project - an example from Turkey on the importance of local youth policies.
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Topic: acTivE parTicipaTion Debate and good arguments for youth activism Facilitators: Mihaela Bolohan, Romania & Catalina Aghinitei, Romania
The results Team 1. Ideas and action for a new generation youth activists- Old generation vs. new generation;
- We should learn about the other countries cultures, diversity etc;
- The information are very important;
- The new generation is intelligent, creative;
- Opinion about the new generation: there are new generation on youth activities (no so many NGO in the past); there is no strictly defi-nition regarding new generation - it s only important that the people to be active in their own life;
- Steps in make active the new generation activism: new age media, share information in sport, culture etc. , sharing is caring, global-ization, raising fund – financial support, mobile activism, open in the communication with the others, more respectful for the others, ex-changing student programs, breaking the lack of self confidence, fear to speak – breaking the silence, education reforms, connecting people;
- Knowledge – trained – self awareness, intercultural behaviour, new skills and attitude.
Team 2. Youth activism in EU vs. Youth activism in SEE- Development of civil society sector, team spirit cooperation, education skills, culture differences, political culture, soft/fragile democra-
cy, conception of democracy
- Differences: influence in political decision making, will, stabile framework in EU, needs/aims, involving in policies regarding youth activ-ism (SEE lack off), political trust (SEE lack off) – opening to change policies
- Similarities: strong/good will, wanted involved in civil society, improvement of knowledge, Youth in Action, aims, Bologna process system
- Strong SEE: high percentage of young people, socialized, will of European integration, studies/ will in learning foreign languages, multi-cultural environment
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- Weak SEE: lack of interest/communication, self information, social life/ active listening/ team working, lack of political support, lack of tolerance, centralization
Team 3. Youth activism in EU vs. Youth activism in SEE- What we want to achieve: youth policies, legal stable framework/ implementation of existing policies, activate human resources, local/
national/regional cooperation/communication, strong network (SEE)
- What is to be done: exchange good examples/experience, contact the local government to establish youth policies, implementation of existing policies,
- Are you still ruled by the community or do you rule?/ Youth motivation activism, responsibility – influence the community, benefits – con-fident, concerned/self confident
- EU strong: financial support, tools, variety of groups/clubs/initiatives
- EU week: strong differences in culture/civil society, lack of motivation, West: individualism
Team 4. Practicing and Sparking. Positive Change?- Youth passiveness, lack of self-confidence, lack of interest for
the social issues, lack of international exchange, lack of sup-port, lack of equality(gender), lack of democracy, exclusion of young people from the decision process, corruption, youth unemployment, lack of political culture and education, youth NGO cartelization, social inclusion, lack of knowledge of indi-viduals, lack of youth policy, lack of decentralization
- Active citizenship education in school, promotion volunteering, reward/benefits for volunteers, human right awareness, NGO in-volvement
Team 5. Ideas and action for a new generation youth activistsMaking workshops, seminars for other generations, creating infor-mational centres in local level, providing internships, increasing
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exchanging programmes, providing internships, increasing exchanging program, increasing awareness about volunteerism in education systems, making campaigns in high schools to inform young people about the needs of business market, creating traditional Balkan fes-tival
- Cooperation between national and local level
- Team fighting for their needs
- Involving good examples/successful people in youth activism
- Providing integration
- Raise awareness about gender equality
- Innovating the educational system
- Providing information about advantages and opportunities
- Motivating young people to be active in politics and youth activism
- To reduce corruption
- Reducing the remaining from the communism
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- Reducing unemployment
- To raise awareness about the tools to practices democratic rights
- Engaging the government with youth activism
Team 6. Practicing and Sparking. Positive Change?
- Possibility for a bigger say in poli-cy (if you’re lucky): have a clear idea, stay informed, self confi-dence, people sharing similar ideas, networking, sharing good practice, deliberation, implement your ideas, consider political ac-tivism,
- Wish box: transcending ethnic, re-ligious, language barriers,
- One idea, different backgrounds,
- ON LINE: ideas, creative expres-sions, communication, coordina-tion, tools: protest, occupation, civil disobedience
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Topic: hoW To KEEp ThE idEa of ThE EuropEan inTEgraTion alivE in ThE minds of young pEoplE?Panel session Introductory speech: Ms. Radmila Sekerinska, the chairperson of the National Council for Euro-pean Integration of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia
• there is a hiDDen euroscePticism in maceDonia, no question about that, but what worries me more is losing the euroPean values in maceDonia, anD that in combination with euroscePticism Portrays a very baD Picture of our country.
• the role of civil society organizations anD inDiviDuals who actively work with anD follow the eu integra-tion Process is very imPortant for keePing the iDea of euroPean integration alive in the minDs of young Peo-Ple. as well as exPlanations to the general Public about the eu concePts, Policies anD Possibilities, so they can easily unDerstanD the comPlicateD Process of accessing the eu.
SHORT OVERVIEW:• What does Euroscepticism really mean? The best definition of the term would be that ‘Euroscepticism is a general term that is used
to describe criticism of the European Union and opposition of the process of European integration within a certain political spec-trum. Traditionally, the main source of Euroscepticism is the belief that the integration weakens the nation state’. Some people also hold the opinion that the EU is undemocratic, or too bureaucratic.
• There is a hidden Euroscepticism in Macedonia, no question about that, but what worries me more is losing the European values in Macedonia, and that in combination with Euroscepticism portrays a very bad picture of our country.
• Euroscepticism may be viewed as a specific form of politics that exists in addition to economic, philosophical and other various political programs in Europe. Euroscepticism is one extreme in the spectrum of views regarding European integration and the Eu-ropean Union as it is. In Central and South East Europe in general, and in Macedonia in particular, it was and continues to be part of an alternative populist politics that stylizes itself as the protector of national identity or sovereignty in order to detract from real social problems.
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• Being a Eurosceptic is not necessarily a bad thing. Not at all: it is normal to question whether joining the EU is good or not, and to consider what is gained and what is lost. These are normal dilemmas but, in case of Macedonia, the ways Euroscepticism is grow-ing, such as by manipulation of a certain category of citizens who are not familiar with the EU topic and are very easily manipulated and directed toward resisting reforms and necessary steps, which for them would mean “giving up who we are”.
Recommendations:• We have to admit that today’s European Union, in bureaucratic terms, is not the same
as the one before 2008, but that doesn’t mean that European values are lost, or aban-doned. Therefore, for example in my country, the engagement of the entire society of Macedonia is necessary to achieve the final goal, and become a full EU member state. How?
• First of all, the Government representatives and institutions should discontinue the politics of demarches, blaming others inside and outside the country for the backwardness in the process of EU-integrations, and stop creating an artificial anti-EU atmosphere.
• Secondly, the Government and the Parliament should speed up and push forward the reforms that need to be taken, along with adoption of EU laws, without creating a space for selective adoption and implementation of the norms, depending on the political preferences.
• Third, the role of civil society organizations and individuals who actively work with and follow the EU integration process is very important, as well as explanations to the general public about the EU concepts, policies and possibilities, so they can easily understand the complicated process of accessing the EU. CSOs should play an important role in monitoring government policies with which, by presenting to the public the real analyses and information, will give a chance to the general public to build their own picture and position about the European Union.
• Fourth, the role of media is key in this process, although it is very often underestimated. The qualitative media report that will include all aspects of the issue, both positive and negative, will contribute to a better understanding of the EU issues.
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Topic: EuropEan valuEs and youTh
Parallel workshops Facilitators: Ms. Maja Stojanoska, Macedonia and Ms. Marijana Janceska, Macedonia
CONCLUSIONS:
Workshop I: SOCIETY
• What do young Europeans think the important components of democracy are?
• What aspects make SEE societies less tolerant?
• Why to be an asylum seeker in EU? What is the view of young European people on immi-grants and asylum seekers?
• Is Europe a place where people prefer having neighbours who are like themselves, in terms of behaviour, living style, ethnic background, religion etc.?
• Sports fan groups – urban form for expressing of young people;
• Friendship, sociability and enjoyment of life
• Involvement in society
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Democracy Tolerance Characteristics of a social person/friend
Reasons for fake asylum seekers
Urban forms of ex-pression of young people
Enjoyment in life
Parliamentary de-mocracy
Nationalism Keeping contact Lack of political trust
Flash mobs Traveling
Rule of law Discrimination Support exchange of favors
Job opportunities Style (clothes) Comfort
Freedom of speech Social differences Interest Self-development Punk,Rap Facebook
Division of powers Lack of communi-cation
Appreciation Economic reasons- money
Vandalism Reading
Equality History Sympathy Education Graffiti Going out
Strong civil society Irresponsible politi-cian
Humor Life standard Guerrilla actors Education
Transparency Conservative movement
Tolerance Lack of perspec-tives/prosperity
Squads Social life
Participation Respect Blogging
Right to vote Trust
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Workshop II: FAMIlY• Is family important in European countries? - Most important value
• Is Europe a place where family life is changing?
• Modern family models vs. Conservative family models;
• Family values in Europe today - Solidarity, support, love, respect
• Family values in SEE vs. Family values in Europe:
• “family=technology”
“Family works for money”
• Rich diversity of values in Europe;
• Is Europe a place where parents put their children first? Big problem: Need of social care- parents care for kids- babysitters
Workshop III: JOBS AND FUTURE SECURITY• Youth Unemployment - causes and solutions?
• Why to working on work? (planning for a secure future, having an interesting job, hav-ing a challenging job);
• Carrier aspirations of young people in Europe VS Carrier aspirations in SEE;
• Establishing your own business/ Youth entrepreneurship in SEE VS EU;
• Knowledge and new skills for new jobs (informal learning).
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Youth unemployment Establishing new business
No connection with education and labor market Grants for new business
Lack of experience IPA funds
Some young people are not being active Starting the business can be hard in some coun-tries (lack of start capital)
Bad promotion of volunteering Some might get European contribution
Internship Big risk- people do not want to take risk but HE WHO DARES WINS!
Governmental support of self-employment (entre-preneurship)
High interest rates
Non formal education
Liberalization of job market in Europe
Changing sector/adjusting to the job market
Working on work CAREER ASPIRATIONS
Planning career – constant personal development (formal and non-formal education)
Secure jobs
Try different things to see what suits you the best More internship opportunities
Networking Working abroad
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Many recommendations, suggestions and ideas for next steps
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inTErculTural dinnEr & EnTErTainmEnT acTiviTEs
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FOllOW-UP ACTIVITIES
The results of this International Youth Conference should be disseminated as widely as possible to relevant stakeholders, by all participants and by Youth Alliance Krusevo and the contributing partners. Dissemination materials: The conference report, DVD with all presentations, videos and photos and Publication with messages, conclusions and photos will be ready at the beginning of 2013.
Youth Alliance Krusevo to follow up on IYC and create or disseminate future activities regarding promotion of European Values.
Similarly, participants are encouraged to set up follow-up projects after IYC, making use of the contacts, content, methods, concepts and inspiration gained. Youth Alliance can support these initiatives.
SPREAD THE lEARNING
Participants are invited to share what they learnt at the Conference within their networks and put it into practice in their projects.
The different stakeholders can take the resources of the IYC web site to their networks: e.g. publications, contacts, good practices …
Youth Alliance Krusevo and other partners should document good practices about development and promotion of Euro-pean Values in their sector and disseminate them.
IV. FUTURE PlANNING: CONCRETE ACTION PlANS
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FUTURE YOUTH lEADERSHIP PROJECTS FOR PROMOTION OF EUROPEAN VAlUES
Participants should take advantage of the different funding opportunities presented at Conference for their regional co operational projects;
Youth workers, policy makers and funding programmes should involve young people in the development of programmes that concern them, so that they are adapted to their needs. This will allow for greater ownership and will motivate the young people to be involved;
Young people can explore the possibilities of the European programmes to gain experience and increase their leadership competences in order multiplying European Values ;
Explore how both formal and non-formal learning can develop tolerance, respecy and mutual understanding among young people in SEE. Train young people in how to overcome the prejudices and stereotypes.
MAKE MORE lINKS
The mix of participants at Conference was very enriching. Different stakeholders and institutions should keep on organising events or meetings where a variety of stakeholders are present.
Funding programmes should continue to support projects which promote regional cooperation among young active peo-ple in SEE region and promotion of European Values.
Initiate a space for dialogue between decision makers and the civil society sector. Establish partnerships to work on region-al cooperation and promotion of European Values.
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Youth Alliance Krusevo, the organizer of the International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of the South-eastern European Countries”, would like to thanks first of all to the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe sponsored by Ger-many for the continuous support. A special thanks goes to our long term partner and supporter of our activities, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Office Skopje.
Also we would like to thanks to all partners, institutions and participants for their contributions and dedication before and during the project event.
A special thanks goes to all the staff and volunteers without whom the International Youth Conference would not have been so perfectly organised!
THANK YOU! THE INTERNATIONAl YOUTH CONFERENCE WOUlD NOT BE POSSIBlE WITHOUT YOU!
Youth Alliance Krusevo“Mise Eftim” 1A, 7550 Krusevo, FYR MacedoniaTel: +389 (0) 48 476 766 – Fax: +389 (0) 400 767
This publication is based on the tenth International Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of the South-eastern European Countries”which took place in Krusevo,
Macedonia from 21-25, September, 2012.
Reproduction and use for non-commercial purposes is permitted provided the source Youth Alliance Krusevo is
mentioned and [email protected] is notified.
