TIRANA – RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša participated in a panel discussion at the sixth Tirana Connectivity Forum which took place online from 1 to 2 October. Under the theme “Connectivity in Pandemic Times: Threats and Opportunities”, the two-day event gathered experts, academics and policymakers to discuss regional cooperation and the EU enlargement policy.
Organized in partnership with RYCO, Polish Presidency of Poznan Summit and the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform, the panel discussion focused on the importance of youth engagement. The opening remarks were delivered by RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša and Executive Director of the Cooperation and Development Institute Ms Krisela Hackaj.
Mr Blanuša underlined that RYCO has been providing youth in the region with opportunities to engage and connect by partnering with various stakeholders, stating that ambitions remain still high.
“Tirana Connectivity Forum is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the progress that has been made in regional and youth cooperation and to discuss the way forward in improving the situation,’’ Mr Blanuša emphasized.
“Governments in the region should move from dialogue to concrete partnerships. The region needs to reform and build its capacities,” Ms Hackaj stated in her welcoming note.
The discussion continued with the panel composed of the Advisor for Youth and Sport at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Government of North Macedonia Mr Gjorgi Tasev, Head of International and European Youth Policy at the German Federal Youth Council Mr Jochen Rummenhöller and Coordinator for Montenegro of Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform Ms Andrea Mićanović, and it was moderated by Euronews Albania Journalist Ms Loneta Progni.
Speaking about the need for more initiatives and open events that can better connect young people in Europe, Mr Rummenhöller and Mr Tasev argued that it is important to remain committed to the vision of young people and enhance their potential.
“The role of young people is now more than ever put into focus as they are contributing to a better region. But successful youth engagement will not happen unless young people are having a seat at the decision-making table,” Ms Mićanović concluded.
Tirana Connectivity Forum is an annual event organized by the Cooperation and Development Institute in Tirana, in cooperation with Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Foundation and Hanns Seidel Foundation.
