The Youth Programme of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights organised the seventh edition of Youth Rights Talks, held this year on 19 and 20 November at Fabrika in Belgrade.
Over the course of the two-day event, held under the slogan ON THE SAME FREQUENCY, young people from Serbia and countries across the region had the opportunity to freely express their views on current social issues through speech and public performance, sharing young people’s perspectives, opinions, initiatives, and personal stories.
This year’s Youth Rights Talks focused on intercultural dialogue, regional cooperation, and the role of young people in building peace and a better future in the region. At the opening of the event, participants reflected on the tragedy that took place in Novi Sad on 1 November, with the message that “on that day, it was not only the railway station canopy that collapsed — entire worlds collapsed.” They also recalled the recent tragedy that struck central Bosnia and Herzegovina during the floods and landslides, in which young people also lost their lives.
The young participants pointed to the lack of infrastructure and the absence of adequate, easy, affordable, and fast roads and rail connections that could better connect us across the region. They spoke about security-related concerns, their experiences of violence and hate speech, which they face in almost every community across the region, as well as what solidarity, tolerance, reconciliation, intercultural dialogue, peace activism, and the creation of new regional ties mean to them.
Since its establishment in 1995, the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights has recognised the importance of educating young people in the field of human rights, said Sonja Tošković, Executive Director of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights. Recalling the tragedies of May 2023 and the recent one in Novi Sad, in which young people lost their lives, she highlighted the challenging times in which we live and the importance of insisting on accountability. She called on young people at this year’s Youth Rights Talks to remain united and stay on the same frequency.
Fabricio Andreuzzi, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Serbia, pointed out that Youth Rights Talks is one of the activities in Serbia and across the Western Balkans supported by UNDP “with the aim of involving young people in trust-building processes and in overcoming divisions and the negative legacy of the conflicts of the 1990s. This support is part of a broader initiative for achieving lasting and sustainable peace in the region, which we implement with the support of the European Union.”
The first day of the event, 19 November, was dedicated to the stories of young speakers from different parts of the region. Ten speakers from various cities shared their personal stories, with a particular focus on topics such as tolerance, intercultural dialogue, mutual acceptance, overcoming prejudice, and promoting reconciliation. Their speeches included concrete proposals for strengthening regional cooperation, highlighting the importance of cultural and social initiatives as bridges connecting young people.
The first evening of the event also featured an informal gathering and networking session for young participants at the Artists’ House.
On the second day, 20 November, a panel discussion addressed key questions concerning the future of young people in the region. The discussion focused on themes such as the role of youth in strengthening regional cooperation, dealing with the past, and defining the next steps towards building a shared future.
Throughout the event, young people also took part in creating a joint art installation and had the opportunity to appear as guests on the tenth episode of the YRT podcast, which was recorded on site.
For the seventh consecutive year, Youth Rights Talks has provided young people with a space to express their views, stories, and reflections on current social issues. This year’s event was particularly significant as it brought together young people from across the entire region.
The event was organised by the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights.
Youth Rights Talks 2024: On the Same Frequency is made possible through the regional project EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Youth Rights Talks 2024: On the Same Frequency was also supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Youth and the Embassy of Germany in Belgrade.
The contents of this text are the sole responsibility of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, UNDP, the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, or the Embassy of Germany in Belgrade.
© Photos: Nebojša Petrović
