NOVI SAD – RYCO Secretary General Mr Đuro Blanuša signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of RYCO with the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ) represented by the organization’s Secretary General Mr Tobias Bütow. The two organizations are aiming to encourage intercultural dialogue, political and peace education, with a special focus on dealing with the past through formalizing the cooperation.
“OFAJ was one of the key players in the RYCO establishing process. It served and continues being a great inspiration for our work. Today, we are just formalizing this inspirational friendship thus laying down the formal basis for the already fruitful cooperation,” Mr Blanuša pointed out.
RYCO Secretary General added that he believes that the cooperation between RYCO and OFAJ can also serve as an example of good practice when it comes to the cooperation between the institutions from the Western Balkans and Europe.
Mr Bütow said that today marks a historic moment for cooperation between OFAJ and RYCO, adding that together, we are stronger in making Europe better.
“A better Europe starts with youth,” OFAJ Secretary General made a parallel with the RYCO slogan and underlined that the organizations are going to strengthen exchange, training, and cooperation between the Western Balkans, France and Germany to foster democracy and cooperation for the next decade.
After the signing ceremony, the secretary generals conducted a bilateral meeting on the current work of RYCO and OFAJ. The event took place on the outlines of the fourth Regional Youth Leadership Forum in Novi Sad, Serbia organized by the European Movement in Serbia – Local Branch Novi Sad and the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence with the support of RYCO and the Polish Presidency of the Berlin Process.