Event “Laboratory of Ideas: Youth for the Future of Europe” was launched

On November 12, European Policy Center (CEP) organized the event “Laboratory of Ideas: Youth for the Future of Europe”, which brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students from several faculties of the University of Belgrade. The aim of the event was to provide young people with a structured space for exchanging views on the key challenges of the European Union’s enlargement and neighborhood policy, as well as for the formulation of recommendations for policy makers, educational institutions and civil society.

The workshop was designed in several parts: an introductory lecture, followed by two interactive group works. During the first group work, the participants identified the biggest challenges facing the EU enlargement policy, the neighborhood policy and the European integration process of the candidate countries. The second group work was devoted to the formulation of specific recommendations, which the students presented through short presentations, emphasizing the importance of inclusive educational programs, greater involvement of institutions and a more active role of civil society in bringing the EU closer to citizens.

The participants showed a high level of pro-European orientation and expressed interest in political processes. Naturally, the discussions were permeated with current political events in Serbia, including student protests against corruption. This context did not limit the discussion, on the contrary, it contributed to the additional engagement of the participants and indicated that young people in Serbia see the European Union as a relevant political actor and an important reference point in thinking about the country’s future.