“We need to amplify the voice of young people”

On Wednesday, 26 April 2023, MEP Irena Joveva attended the 3^rd Young Political Leaders’ conference, this time organised under the title Bridging the Gap – Western Balkans. The event aims to reinforce youth engagement in politics through discussions on issues such as the role of youth in the enlargement process, green transition and disinformation. The MEP underscored that the voice of young people needs to be strengthened and incorporated into decision-making processes at all levels.

MEP Joveva began by mentioning the importance of cooperation, setting shared goals, and a common path for the Western Balkan countries towards the European Union. She expressed the wish that we will one day see the Western Balkan countries competing with each other in the number of reforms introduced for the benefit of the people and, primarily, in showing support for their neighbours.

”This is the only way leading to a win-win scenario, according to which the region – as a whole – will move ever closer to the European Union.”

She called for cooperation and an end to the ethno-nationalisms that still plague the region.

”Following the European Year of Youth, we want to underline that young people still remain at the heart of the European Union’s policies. It is my strong commitment to enhance the involvement of young people from the region as partners in dialogue with the Union, because the future really is yours. We need to amplify the voice of young people and ensure that the policies reflect what matters most to you. We need to push for more regional initiatives that concern young people and to increase the role of national parliaments in this.”

Foto: Eric Vidal

In addition to MEP Joveva, the panel on regional cooperation in the field of youth included MEPs Matjaž Nemec (S&D) and Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (Greens), Berina Bulatović from the Youth Council of BiH, and Klajdi Priska, Policy Officer at the National Youth Congress of Albania.