Young people require a multi-sectoral and multi-sectoral approach
“Young people in Montenegro must believe that their activism creates a better future for themselves and the community to which they belong. The responsibility for improving the position of young people lies not only on the state and its institutions, but also on young people who need to mobilize, unite, show solidarity, and strive to contribute to solving many challenges they face every day. This project and the young people who are here today are just an example of how socially responsible young people of Montenegro behave “, said Nenad Koprivica, Director of the Directorate for Youth, at the opening of the school” Youth as active citizens “which CEDEM realized from 22 to June 25 at the Bianca Hotel in Kolasin.
In his introductory address, CEDEM Program Manager Marko Pejović stated that “bearing in mind that one fifth of the Montenegrin population is young people, it is very important to emphasize the importance of their participation in the process of creating and implementing public policies.” and the basic precondition for responsible and transparent work of the government “, and added that” young people often criticize the system, saying that it is not adaptable to them, ie that they cannot use their right in the decision-making process because there are no good mechanisms. “
During the four-day school, young people acquired skills and knowledge through four modules: “Youth policies and the development of a culture of participation”, “Civic and political participation of young people”, “Economic participation of young people” and “Participation and mobility in formal and non-formal education” , which have contributed to encouraging young people to participate in civic, political and economic participation.
The first module was led by Aleksandra Gligorović and Andrea Mićanović, during which young people acquired knowledge and skills about the conditions and development of youth participation culture, prescribed and self-initiated mechanisms for participation at national and local level, and key competencies necessary for participation in decision making. .
Dr. Olivera Komar analyzed the state of youth activities and why young people are (in) active, presented a set of recommendations for improving youth participation and encouraged discussion with young people, while Božena Jelušić emphasized the traditional legacy of manipulative strategies and new opportunities in the digital environment and cognitive-psychological conditions for receiving information and misconceptions that may affect decision-making and civic participation in the digital environment. She paid special attention to checking information and fake news (especially in the environment of social networks), as well as the importance of raising awareness of the problem and critical thinking among young people.
On the third day, Jevrosima Pejović and Uroš Bulatović taught young people about economic participation of young people, with a special focus on career orientation, economic independence and job search, analyzing professional goals and personal representation in the labor market.
Vanja Rakočević talked to young people about the role and ways of participation in formal education, while presenting opportunities and examples of good practice for youth mobility in formal and non-formal education. At the end of the day, a survey of the needs of young people in the field of formal and non-formal education was conducted and ideas for improving youth participation were defined.
The closing of the school was attended by Edin Koljenović from the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation, who spoke about the need for young people to participate in the decision-making process and presented the importance of this office from several aspects, with special reference to cooperation of various organizations and institutions. young people.
