During March, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro supported the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office in organizing a series of events that enabled young people to engage with Montenegrin Members of Parliament (MPs) and to discuss everyday challenges.
The events, titled "Conversations with Youth - Youth Participation in the Implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda," were organized at Europe House's premises in Bar, Podgorica, and Bijelo Polje on 11, 18 and 27 March respectively, and brought together a total of 108 young participants.
The events also featured the participation of MPs Nikola Zirojević and Adrijan Vuksanović in Bar; Nikolla Camaj, Nikola Rakočević, Dragan Bojović, and Mileta Radovanić in Podgorica; and Jevrosima Pejović and Amer Smailović in Bijelo Polje. These discussions brought together young people from local high schools, universities, and NGOs, as well as representatives of institutions and organizations working with youth. They had the opportunity to raise questions about the challenges they face and to share their perspectives on brain drain, education, employment, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and youth activism in the country.
Representing different parliamentary groups, these MPs were among the signatories of the Declaration of Commitment to Youth Regional Cooperation, Intercultural Dialogue, and Reconciliation. Through this pledge, they committed to fostering regular dialogue with youth and youth-focused organizations across Montenegro, and to supporting young people as active contributors to a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful society.
While advancing the practical implementation of the signed Declaration, the Conversations with Youth amplified diverse community voices, fostered meaningful dialogue between youth and key stakeholders, and bridged national Youth, Peace, and Security commitments with local realities.
In the coming period, this activity will be followed by a Youth, Peace and Security capacity-building training session for representatives of local self-governments and civil society organizations. It will also be complemented by a forum bringing together young people, government representatives, MPs, local authorities, and representatives of international organizations and NGOs working with and for youth.
