For the third year in a row, the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina is implementing its Generation Change youth programme, aimed at students from all public universities in BiH. This year, more than 500 students will take part in Student Talks around the country, including them in conversation about country’s path towards its EU membership.
The opening event in Bihać focused on the role that tourism has for economic growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, gathering more than 100 students from the Bihać and Banja Luka. The Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Luigi Soreca was present at the event, accompanied by the Ambassador of Belgium to BiH, Christine Detaille, the Ambassador of Ireland to BiH, Adrian Farrell, the Ambassador of Slovenia to BiH, Damijan Sedar, the Ambassador of Spain to BiH, María Molina Álvarez de Toledo and the Ambassador of Sweden to BiH, Helena Lagerlöf. Additional perspectives on how tourism can become a driving force for new opportunities for youth were presented by young travel blogger Farah Hadziabdic and Edin Redžić, certified rafting instructor from Una RC Kiro Rafting,
“Bosnia and Herzegovina’s diverse natural landscapes and incredible cultural heritage are not only shaping the country’s international image but are also creating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth through tourism. It is inspiring to see how young people are turning their passion for nature and culture into engines of progress, building strong connections between people and places, while contributing to sustainable economic growth and the preservation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unique heritage,” said Ambassador Soreca.
Professor Nikola Vidović, academic assistant at the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka says that the continuation of the Generation Change project this year is important for students, as it gives them the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from other universities and apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies. „Such initiatives are a valuable addition to formal education and a proof of the EU’s continuous support for the development of higher education in BiH and the region. I hope that GenChange will continue in the coming years, because the experiences of older colleagues show that this is one of the best student projects in the country,” concludes prof. Vidović.
The event showed that young people do not want to remain on the sidelines, but wished to be engaged in conversation, visible and vocal about issues that matter to them and their future.
“The topic of tourism is especially close to me because I come from a region with great potential in this field. I believe it is important for young people to be involved in creating ideas that can improve local communities. Events like this encourage us to think creatively and act concretely,” said Sanja Dujaković, a student of the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka.
Mirela Kljajić Dervić, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Bihać, underlined that such events contribute to connecting students from different parts of the country and strengthening their role in society. “We are proud to participate in the GenChange project of the EU in BiH, and we are especially honoured that this year’s Student Talks series begins right here in Bihać. We have hosted colleagues and students from the Faculty of Economics in Banja Luka, which strengthens inter-university cooperation and unity among young people in BiH. The presence of ambassadors from EU member states has further enriched this important event,” Kljajić said.
The series of Student Talks within Generation Change will continue in East Sarajevo, Mostar, and Tuzla, where students from these universities will host their colleagues from Sarajevo and Zenica, offering an opportunity for interactive exchanges and discussions on issues relevant to youth in BiH.
Generation Change remains an important platform for student dialogue, colaboration and creativity, while making longlasting connections between future leaders of the county. After the first series of Student Talk events, selected students will be invited to take part in a Media Boot Camp, while the most creative ones will get a chance to travel to Brussels next year.