From Protest to Progress: The Role of Youth in Political Change

Описание: Recorded on April 2, 2025 at the International Institute for Peace (IIP) in Vienna.

WELCOME

• HANNES SWOBODA, former MEP and President of the IIP

• SAŠA VASIĆ, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Southeast Europe (FES SOE)

REFLECTION ON FES YOUTH STUDY

• EMA DŽEJNA SMOLO ZUKAN, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Southeast Europe (FES SOE)


PANEL

• VEDRAN DŽIHIĆ, Senior Researcher, Austrian Institute for International Politics

• TATJANA RASIĆ, Student at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia

• LARISSA LOJIĆ, European Youth Delegate, Austrian BiH Youth Initiative

• LUKA CEKIC, Project Assistant at the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS)

MODERATION

• STEPHANIE FENKART, Director of the IIP

CONTENT

How do young people in the Western Balkans form their political identities as political instability increases? Do they find themselves struggling between silence and resistance, or do they believe they have the power to influence change? Are they agents of change or passive and pragmatic parts of society?

Against the backdrop of the ongoing students protests in Serbia and debates about the fate of the political regime of Aleksandar Vucic, of Europe's silence, and the rise of anti-democratic trends, we looked into the latest Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) research on youth perceptions in Southeast Europe and used it to provide a broader picture of the region. Based on these insights we focused on the question how young people can shape the future and reinvigorate the democratic spirit of the region.

The discussion brought together experts and activists, with an emphasis on highlighting young voices to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing youth today.