Youth should and will raise their voices in the fight for their rights through the activities of Youth Councils/Committees. That is the official message of participants in a unique youth event, Youth Circle. Youth Circle was held today, July 29, 2013 ((hotel Hollywood in IlidĹľa, Dr. Mustafe Pintola 23, 71210 IlidĹľa),  11 am - 1 pm.

The media and the public often portray youth as passive and silent. The Institute for Youth Development KULT, through implementation of programmes and initiatives endeavours to establish sustainable youth structures run by youth.

The goal of the Youth Circle is to point out the importance of the role played by Youth Councils, and the forming of the Youth Council of FBiH. By defining institutional care for youth the government has opened the door to youth activism. Young people are given a chance to become active, involved in decision-making processes and participate in planning and implementing youth activities. It is precisely the representation of youth voices in decision-making processes and cooperation with the government sector in order to improve the position of youth, that  constitutes one of the most important tasks of Youth Councils.

Statement by all Youth Council representatives:

„Youth Councils or Youth Committees are umbrella organisations based on voluntary membership of youth organisations. We are legitimate representatives of approximately 750 000 young people in BiH, 30 000 are involved in youth activities. We represent youth interests on all levels of government. As such, we advocate for the improvement of the position of youth in BiH. Iti s impermissible to allow youth to leave their local communities without showing any interest in having us stay. We expect the government to find an efficient solution in order to provide us with better education, jobs that should enable us to start families. We expect them to improve our social status and health care. What we need is more practical teaching in schools and universities that would train us to do our jobs. We need more youth spaces where we can show our potential, we need better culture and sports programmes. Emphasis should be put on both financial and non-financial support, i.e. separate budget items for youth. We expect the government to recognise Youth Councils or Youth Committees as partner sin working towards improving the position of youth.“

During the round table, Youth Councils signed a Charter of Friendship and Cooperation, which they themselves initiated.

The media and the public often portray youth as passive and silent. Over 150 youth organisations, with almost 4000 members stand as proof that those days belong in the past, and that youth today can act as equal partners of the government in solving youth issues and improving the position of youth in BiH. There are over 40 active Youth Councils in BiH.

The round table, called Youth Circle to evoke the concept of a circle of intellectuals, will be held July 29, 2013, in hotel Hollywood in IlidĹľa (Dr. Mustafe Pintola 23, 71210 IlidĹľa), 11 am-13 pm.