Young people must be at the centre of building peaceful and inclusive societies, not only as beneficiaries, but as active partners. This is the message that came out of the April 15-17 Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) event organized in Budva by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.
The event combined a capacity-building training and a multi-stakeholder forum, bringing together representatives of municipalities, state institutions, civil society organizations, and international organizations to strengthen the implementation of the YPS Agenda in Montenegro.
The training gathered 19 participants and focused on the practical application of the key pillars of the YPS Agenda in fostering inclusive and cohesive communities. Participants discussed different perceptions of peace and factors driving social polarization affecting young people's opportunities and civic engagement.
A half-day forum followed with 32 participants, providing a platform to exchange views and develop recommendations for advancing YPS initiatives and strengthening youth-focused co-operation.
Opening the event, Edin Koljenović, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro, stressed that "We must create a space in which young people participate in decision-making, their voice is heard and their potential used." He highlighted Montenegro's chairpersonship of the Berlin Process and RYCO's tenth anniversary as an opportunity to build sustainable co-operation models.
Bernd Burwitz, the OSCE Mission's Democratization Programme Manager, stated that "Young people must remain at the centre of our efforts, not as beneficiaries, but as leading partners in shaping the solutions that affect their lives," underlining the importance of continued dialogue between young people and decision-makers.
Two panel discussions examined institutional roles in implementing the YPS Agenda. The first highlighted the need for mechanisms ensuring youth input in policy and legislation, as well as stronger intersectoral co-operation, including with academic and research institutions. Initiatives included the opening of a youth club in Zeta and the establishment of a Youth Committee in the Parliament of Montenegro. The second panel focused on civil society initiatives in peacebuilding, security, and transitional justice. Participants discussed engaging youth from diverse backgrounds and emphasized professionalizing youth work to ensure quality standards and safeguard participants.
Environmental protection was identified as a common area for engagement, offering opportunities for young people to connect, overcome prejudices, and contribute to the common good.
