“The world rests on the young.” This is the message sent to youth by politicians. “Don’t be passive” is another message young people hear. So, some young people decided to take action—deciding not to remain passive. They rolled up their sleeves and prepared proposals. Adrijana from Montenegro shared in the “PERSPEKTIVA” show two initiatives that they developed.
“The first initiative focuses on the economic empowerment of young people, with a special emphasis on fostering entrepreneurship. And last, but certainly not least, is the initiative to develop affordable housing for young people.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-specijal-da-sam-ja-neko/32244747.html
The second initiative was related to education.
“The Board of Education has been working continuously, and as a result, two initiatives were presented at the session. The first is the reintroduction of civic education as a mandatory subject in upper elementary and high school curriculums. The second initiative aims to reform vocational education for higher education students.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-specijal-da-sam-ja-neko/32244747.html
Marija from Bijeljina also decided to take an active role.
“As an engaged young person in our city, I am often asked for my opinion. When I have something I would like to change, I voice my opinion, but nothing ever happens.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/32745400.html
Her colleague, Rada, confirms her sentiment.
“Yes, they ask us, but as my colleague mentioned, nothing is then done. To see real action, there needs to be significant pressure—constant, persistent efforts. We’d have to say, ‘We’ll pitch a tent here until you do something about it.’ And that’s the only way they take us seriously. Then they think, ‘Okay, these people are serious. Let’s solve this, let’s do it.’”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/32745400.html
Naima from Bosnia and Herzegovina asks:
“What I’ve always found baffling—this is actually the first thing I said on the first day of filming—is how older generations, or older people in general, say that young people should lead the world, make it better, and change it. My question is: How can we do that when those generations—whether we’re talking about politicians, doctors, or waiters—leave us with a world in disarray, with outdated rules, and refuse to allow us to introduce new policies, rules, or any innovations that might bring even the smallest positive change?”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-sarajevo/33025260.html
But should you give up after the first disappointments? Semir and Nadine from Tuzla say no.
“It’s hypocritical that young people want change but don’t want to be part of that change. Even worse, they criticize those who have tried, as young people, to make a difference.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-tuzla-mladi-bih/33129717.html
“I have this need to prove myself, to show that I am capable, that I can make a difference, that I will fight for change.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-tuzla-mladi/33101655.html
Ljupko from Banjaluka sees the solution this way:
“The solution is to be active in your own life—first and foremost, as the main actor of your life. You need to define the problems, the options, and the solutions.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-banjaluka-mladi-drzava-/32865157.html
Sandra from Tuzla insists that we cannot be passive and just criticize.
“Later, we complain: Bosnia is like this, Bosnia is like that, this is wrong, that is wrong.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-tuzla-mladi/33101655.html
So, if we want change, we have to roll up our sleeves. If change doesn’t happen, we need to roll them up even more. Even though young people are increasingly skeptical when told that the world is in their hands, it is still true.
