FUTURE EUROPE CONFERENCE – Involving young people in creating their future in Europe is a mandatory task of present leaders

Interview with Assoc. Prof. Marina Andeva, PhD, UACS Secretary General

How do you see the initiative of the Visegrad Group to include voices from the EU candidate countries in the debate about the future of Europe?

I warmly welcome the initiative of the Visegrad Group and it can be seen as an enormous endeavor which could lead to a positive outcome. The support of the Visegrad Group is crucial and fundamental in the enlargement process but not only. The future of Europe will impact many countries and many individual lives. The prosperity of those seeking to enter will be challenged by giving them the opportunity to be closer for creating a prosperous and stable Europe.

Why is it important to give voice to young people from the Western Balkans in the discussion on the future of Europe?

The youth is crucial in building a thriving future. Young people are the voices of tomorrow and encouraging them to act and react and discuss their future is not only a must but it is elementary. Europe as we see and know it today has many challenges, from environmental, economic to security issues. Involving young people in creating their future in Europe and how they will see and live it is a mandatory task of present leaders.

What are some of the key issues that people from the EU candidate countries would like to raise at this ongoing conference

Every young person interest is to see the benefits that the future will bring. From a EU candidate countries point of view the core challenges faced by youth are several. Mentioning few of them is a hard task, nevertheless, young people from Western Balkan countries, aspiring to be p[art of the EU, would seek to have a better quality of life, more opportunities for development and opportunities to be heard.