Young Public Professionals Present Innovative Policy Papers at the Young Bled Strategic Forum
Today, a group of selected young public professionals from the Western Balkans concluded months of hard work by presenting their policy papers at the Young Bled Strategic Forum's Powered Discussion, “We Dare to Make a Change: Aspirations of the Young Public Officials of the Western Balkans.” This event, held under the auspices of the Bled Strategic Forum, aimed to integrate the fresh perspectives of emerging leaders from the Western Balkans with global youth viewpoints, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
The event represented the final milestone of the EU-funded WeLead project's Cohort 1 under the WeWrite component. Through this initiative, participants received comprehensive training in policy writing, starting with foundational guidelines and progressing through a tailored learning experience. The program provided monthly guidance, personal mentorship, and soft skills development to prepare participants for excellence in policy work.
The speakers at the event included the authors of the policy papers: Adela Kula and Kevin Treska from Albania, Valdrin Dervishaj from Kosovo*, Miroslav Grozdanovski from North Macedonia, and Aleksandra Brdjić and Milica Alavanja from Serbia. Each speaker presented insights from their meticulously prepared policy papers, which addressed various topics reflecting the diverse challenges in their countries.
These policy papers, compiled in the publication “We Write: To Advocate Change, Policy Papers from Younger Public Officials in the Western Balkans,” are a testament to the power of collaboration and continuous learning. The collection is the result of rigorous research, thoughtful analysis, and a strong commitment to driving positive change in public administration across the region. Each paper offers unique insights and practical recommendations, showcasing the authors’ deep understanding of their subjects and their dedication to improving public administration in their countries and beyond.
The interactive event also featured introductory addresses by Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, and Vlado Dimovski, a renowned Slovenian economist and university professor. The discussion panel allowed participants to voice their aspirations and frustrations, engage deeply with policy solutions, and outline clear paths for future collaboration.
Today’s discussions not only highlighted the critical insights and innovations of these young leaders but also underscored their determination to drive change and foster collaboration in the Western Balkans and beyond. The WeWrite process and the event itself were designed by Natasha Ilijeva Acevska, Senior Officer, Leadership and Learning Ecosystems.
The event took place on September 3, 20224, in Bled, Slovenia.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.