Day 1
Gala Dinner introduced by Italian Minister for Youth Fabiana Dadone
What is Europe?
EU-BALKAN YOUTH FORUM
- When: 22nd-26th November 2021
- Where: Rome, Italy
Based on a proposal of the Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, the EU-Balkan forum called for by the Regional Cooperation Council (Sarajevo), the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (Tirana), the Study Centre for International Politics (Rome) and Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (Trento) and funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is an opportunity for youth from the entire continent to discuss common issues, face policymakers and mobilize new energies from below, facilitating the emergence of a young transnational network to engineer new initiatives and bring about fresh views on both the EU and Balkan integration
The Forum will also channel its conclusions to the “Conference on the Future of Europe” launched by the EU for 2021-2022, to allow citizens from across the continent to submit their views on the future of the EU.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will help the participants start new projects after the Forum, with a view to realize effective initiatives in bringing together networks from different countries across the EU and the Balkans and address the issues that stand in the way of further integration .
Forum topics group
The discussion will be based on five working groups, all connected to the question “What Is Europe? ”
Each working group will specifically address a central question, as in the following scheme
How to couple deepening and enlargement?
What role can the Balkans play in this?
How to build a shared memory of the past and facilitate cooperation among peoples and countries?
Is reconciliation in the Balkans possible?
How to organize environmental protection and the fight against climate change at continental level?
What role for the Balkans? Is it a complementary or competitive approach?
How to build economic integration and take into account people flows inside and outside the area both of local workers and foreign immigrants?
Is it better to create stepping stones for further economic integration with the Balkans or to go for a “Big Bang” approach?
Is the Internet helping or hindering the creation of common society at EU level?
How to use new technologies in this field?
Is democracy threatened or strengthened by the new tools?
Participants and Mentors
Countries
Working groups
Days
Arrival and gala dinner
Team building and creation of working groups
Working groups and plenary meetings
Working groups and plenary meetings
Final plenary meeting and departure
Online Application
Participation requirements
Applications are welcome from University students of any major from all EU and non-EU Balkan countries, with a proven interest in EU issues and preferably with an active participation in youth networks/associations to increase awareness on issues of EU integration. Ability and preparedness to act on transnational projects in the main areas discussed by the Forum is appreciated.
Applicants should have no more than 26 years of age by November 30th.
Applicants should send (upload) a max two-pages CV and fill the web form with a proposal on how youth can make a difference in no more than two of the five topics to be discussed in the working groups at the Forum.
The deadline for applications is October 15th.
The event will be held in person and participants will need to provide a COVID-19 Green Certificate, consistently with Italian Law. All health safety measures and distancing will be in place.
Travel and accommodation expenses are borne by the organisation
Our partners
Hospitality Partner
