From Protest to Progress: The Role of Youth in Political Change
02.04.2025
18:00 - 19:30
IIP
Möllwaldplatz 5/7, 1040 Wien
How do young people in the Western Balkans form their political identities as political instability increases? Do they find themselves struggling between silence and resistance, or do they believe they have the power to influence change? Are they agents of change or passive and pragmatic parts of society?
Join us for a panel discussion on 2 April 2025 at 18:00 at the International Institute for Peace, Vienna, where we will delve into these pressing questions.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing students protests in Serbia and debates about the fate of the political regime of Aleksandar Vucic, of Europe’s silence, and the rise of anti-democratic trends, we will look into the latest Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) research on youth perceptions in Southeast Europe and use it to provide a broader picture of the region. Based on these insights we will focus on the question how young people can shape the future and reinvigorate the democratic spirit of the region.
The discussion will bring together experts and activists, with an emphasis on highlighting young voices to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing youth today.
Welcome:
HANNES SWOBODA
former MEP and President of the IIP
SAŠA VASIĆ
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Southeast Europe (FES SOE)
Reflection on FES Youth Study:
EMA DŽEJNA SMOLO ZUKAN
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Southeast Europe (FES SOE)
Discussants:
VEDRAN DŽIHIĆ
Senior Researcher, Austrian Institute for International Politics
BORIS KOJČINOVIĆ
Student at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia
LARISSA LOJIĆ
European Youth Delegate, Austrian BiH Youth Initiative
LUKA CEKIC
Project Assistant at the World Institute for Nuclear Security (WINS)
Moderation:
STEPHANIE FENKART
Director of the IIP
In cooperation with the International Institute for Peace, the Karl-Renner Institut, and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES).
We look forward to an engaging conversation with you!