Commissioner Brankica Jankovic participated in the 4th Regional Young Leaders Forum, held from 22-24 November in Novi Sad, organized by European Movement in Serbia and Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence. In direct discussion with young people, many issues were tackled, such are the role of education in increasing of life chances, equality and better life, as well as problems that young are facing at the labor market.

When we speak about young people, the most used phrase is that they are the future of our country. Still, young are not only the future, they are our presence. Their needs and wishes are related to this moment and we have to hear them now, not tomorrow. As a part of our dealing with the issue of the participation of youth in decision making processes in their communities, we have sent a questionnaire to all local self-governments. 109 of them responded and preliminary results show that young people make only 5% of delegates in municipality/city assemblies and that nearly 2% of municipality/city presidents are younger than 30 – said Brankica Jankovic adding that the results of survey will be presented on 28 November at the conference “Consider Us, We are Here” which will be organized by Commissioner for Protection of Equality with help of European Youth Capital Novi Sad.

She said that obtained data, although demotivating and worrying, are important as a starting point for further improvement of the position of youth in Serbia and providing their participation at all decision making levels, especially those that directly influence their life and position in the society.

Participants of the Forum’s final day were also Ana Brnabic, Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, ambassadors Thomas Schieb and Sem Fabrizi, professor Dejan Jovic and general secretary deputy of Regional Board of Cooperation Tanja Miscevic.