BELGRADE – RYCO LBO Serbia, in collaboration with the South-East Europe Dialogue on Internet Governance (SEEDIG) and the OSCE Mission to Serbia, hosted the RYCO Youth Talk: Navigating the Digital Frontier: Youth, Peace, and Cybersecurity on Saturday, November 25, 2024, in Belgrade.
This Youth Talk was organized within the SEEDIG Youth School, which gathered 30 talented young people across the SEE, and explored the intersection of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda and cybersecurity. It emphasized the vital role of youth in addressing digital challenges while fostering peace and reconciliation in the Western Balkans and SEE region.
The panel, consisting of Mr. Đorđe Krivokapić, professor at the Faculty of Organizational Studies, and co-founder of the SHARE Foundation, Ms. Staša Ivković, president of the NGO OsnaŽene, and
. Alisa Kockar, program coordinator at the national Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS), provided insights into critical cybersecurity issues affecting young people, such as the role of state and non-state actors in cyber threats, the risks of digital violence faced by youth activists, and the complexities of regulating online spaces. Panelists emphasized the need for enhanced digital literacy, careful regulation, and collaboration between governments, tech companies, and youth organizations to create safer online environments.
The interactive discussion addressed key questions, including the role of youth in advocating for inclusive digital spaces and the impact of cybersecurity threats on peacebuilding processes. Participants also explored ways to equip young people with the skills to counter misinformation, cyberbullying, and online extremism effectively.
The event concluded with a call to action for young people to take an active role in shaping a secure digital future while advancing the YPS Agenda. This Youth Talk reaffirmed the commitment of RYCO and its partners to fostering youth-led initiatives that build resilience against cyber threats and promote peace in the region.
