Public debate “Youth and the EU” and the presentation of the “Award for Contribution of the Year to Europe” brought together representatives of European and domestic civil society organizations, the diplomatic corps, and – above all – young people, at the Europe House in Belgrade. In a full house, the European Movement in Serbia, together with the European Movement International, sent a clear message: Serbia’s European future is unimaginable without active, equal, and authentic participation of youth.
This year’s recipients of the “Award for Contribution of the Year to Europe”, traditionally presented by the European Movement in Serbia and European Movement International, are the S– in recognition of their commitment to European and universal values that go far beyond rhetoric: dignity, the right to freedom of speech, institutional accountability, and the idea of democratic society.
“Their struggle is not merely academic – it is civic, substantial, European, and above all – moral. That is why we are honoring them today. Not because they sought attention, but because they earned it. Through their actions, responsibility, and belief that both Serbia and Europe can – and must – do better,” said Radomir Diklić, President of the European Movement in Serbia, during the award presentation.
The debate preceding the award ceremony gathered voices from across Europe and Serbia, including Guy Verhofstadt, President of the European Movement International, former Prime Minister of Belgium and long-time Member of the European Parliament. He emphasized that “students embody European values such as the rule of law, freedom of expression, and solidarity, and that Europe’s leadership cannot pretend that everything is fine in Serbia when the reality clearly says otherwise.” He added that “it is absolutely necessary to include young people in Serbia in the political process,” and that “a new generation must redefine ideology and show Europe which direction it should take.”
The debate was moderated by Dragana Đurica, Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia, who emphasized: “Young people do not inherit Europe – they shape it. And if Europe loses its youth, it will not survive. Because if Europe does not belong to the youth – then it belongs to no one.” Duško Lopandić, Vice President of the European Movement in Serbia, added: “Every generation must ask itself what its role is in relation to the past and the future – and today’s generation has led us to a moment of national regeneration.” Milica Borjanić, Secretary General of the National Youth Council of Serbia, noted that “the EU integration process has lasted longer than some of today’s youth have been alive – but the values the EU promotes already live within our youth and are practiced daily in their lives.” Anja Krajnov, Vice President of the Youth Forum of the European Movement in Serbia, emphasized that this is “a generation highly aware of European values, and firmly committed to ensuring that everything done in Serbia aligns with European standards.” From the audience, young participants shared their own message: “Europe must act based on what is right – not just based on what is in its interest.
The event concluded with a powerful message: it is time for young people to stop being treated only rhetorically as “the future” – and to finally be recognized as the voice of the present – as those who clearly see the difference between Europe as a slogan and Europe as a set of values to be lived, defended, and demanded.