It has long been a common belief in the region that young people are passive, uninterested in change, and prefer to seek better opportunities abroad. In Croatia, 70% of young people are contemplating leaving. In Serbia, 1.2 million citizens, including half a million between the ages of 18 and 29, are considering leaving. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees around 50,000 young people leave every year.
People leave not only for economic but also for political reasons. There is widespread disillusionment, with many believing that nothing can change due to entrenched corruption and party patronage. The causes at the root of the passivity of youth are explored in the PERSPEKTIVA show, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Here’s how Maida, Irma, and Maria see the situation:
“I believe that the biggest problem in our country is our mentality at the moment. Among the younger population, there is a deep disdain for current politics, which leads to disengagement from political life altogether.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-tuzla-mladi/33101655.html
“Young people are withdrawing more and more, convinced that no change is possible because they feel powerless to create it. In reality, young people are the ones who have the potential to bring about change.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-bihac-mladi-bih/33240579.html
“As an active young person in our city, I am constantly asked for my opinion, if I have something I would like to change I express my opinion, but no one ever does anything about it.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/32745400.html
Is the future still in the hands of the youth? Aljosa, Adna, and Teodora warn:
“No bad person is to blame for coming to power. We, the voters, are to blame for not choosing the right candidate, or for not showing up to protests when there’s no one to vote for, and simply allowing our city to crumble right in front of us.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-mladi-mostar/33157014.html
“We are the system. The system isn’t just the people in power or the laws they create. We are the system. We are those people, we are those laws.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_OJy8aVqw&ab_channel=RadioSlobodnaEvropa
“There’s no reaction, no energy, no calls for change, especially among young people. In Belgrade, at least in my environment, there is minimal initiative. We all live in our little bubbles; there’s no collective spirit, no energy, no socializing, and no desire to move forward. We need to come together and push for a new direction.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-sarajevo-sff/32628206.html
Nadja believes the issue runs even deeper:
“Our educational system creates a set of values that promotes conformity. Different opinions and attitudes aren’t accepted. And then all these problems of young people accumulate into one large problem, which is that they don’t want to listen to young people. This constant disregard has gone on for so long that many young people have simply given up on fighting for change and the resolution of their problems.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perpektiva-mladi-crna-gora-problemi/32804765.html
Let’s wake up – say some of the young people. There is no change without us. Ivana and Teodora are among them:
“I think young people need to raise their voices louder. We all need to speak up more, because we’re being oppressed.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-specijal-budva-mladi/32505689.html
“What we lack is action. Either there’s too much talk or none at all. We’re stuck in between, with no real movement.”
https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/perspektiva-sarajevo-sff/32628206.html
These days, Teodora from Belgrade is likely on the streets of Belgrade, taking part in the action she’s been calling for. In Serbia, young people have decided to take a stand. Actors, professors, lawyers, and many others have joined the protests that have been going on for over a month. Their message is clear: “We are the system, and we can change it.”
