The position of youth is a question of our future and social cohesion, as a prerequisite for a just and inclusive society. All social actors and decision-makers should devote themselves most seriously to the issue of youth, emphasized Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, at the Youth Policy Forum organized by the Umbrella Organization of Serbian Youth, whose focus this year is the agenda “Youth, peace, and security”.

The Institution of the Commissioner monitors the implementation of the “Women, peace and security” agenda. Last year, we issued a report on monitoring the implementation of the Second NAP, and we are currently participating in the drafting of the Third NA. With equal devotion, from the aspect of equality and protection against discrimination, we will dedicate ourselves to the implementation of the “Youth, peace and security” agenda, added the Commissioner.

The Commissioner pointed out the recommendation of measures to the local self-government units regarding the increase of the participation of young people in decision-making positions at the local level, as well as that a new overview of the state of participation of young people at the local level is planned.

For years, the Commissioner’s Institution has been gathering a group of children and youth from Serbia who, as a Youth Panel, participate in specially designed educational programs and workshops in areas related to children and youth. Through various activities, Janković added, young people show us how to best approach and spread the ideas of tolerance and equality and thus create societies without stereotypes and prejudices. During this year, the panelists participated in a training for peer educators on the topic of protection against discrimination and various forms of violence, especially violence perpetrated by means of technology, followed by six peer workshops, held in Kragujevac, Vranje, Bujanovac, Inđija, Novi Sad and Belgrade.