The 8th International Youth Conference was designed to unite young people from SEE in order to establish a platform for dialogue in relation to issues relevant to the youth from SEE and to address the importance of the role of young people in creating the future of SEE. The platform would be a way which would make it easier to communicate a two-way dialogue between youth from SEE and national/local authorities. Unity among us - young people allows us to positively contribute to our societies. The conference was attended by 55 participants, active young people and leaders from SEE, regional experts and local/national authorities. The large number of introductory lectures and interactive workshops resulted in a new Declaration for European Future of the young people from SEE.

Participants exchanged mutual thoughts, ideas and experience with the aim of establishing new mechanisms to tackle the growing challenges in interpersonal relationships overflowing with stereotypes and prejudices, national values vs. EU values, youth unemployment, crime, education and global challenges faced by societies in SEE. The atmosphere during the conference promoted and built upon positive achievements, while at the same time acknowledged and addressed the obstacles for further success.

Young people – participants felt that the conference was beneficial to them as it provided an opportunity to:

• Voice their concerns regarding the marginalization of youth in decision-making processes at local/national level in SEE.
• Discuss relevant cultural aspects of life within a multicultural society.
• Demonstrate willingness to actively participate in order to European direction of the SEE region.
• Familiarise themselves with different obstacles faced by young people through conference workshops and personal dialouge.
• Develop a better understanding of the role that the NGO sector can play in the development of their common interest.
• Explore options for further engagement with other likeminded stakeholders.

Results and materials

The 8th edition of the conference was finalized with declaration for European future. This document is emphasizing the readiness of young people to take their responsibility to deal with issues facing SEE and European community of the 21st century. They are perceiving the SEE as a region where different cultures interact and where young people aspire to share common European values and to live unity through diversity. Although there is awareness of the importance of values - tolerance, respect, democracy, mutual understanding, their rejection and disrespect still exists. Young people on this conference demanded from the creators of their future to join youth efforts in shaping a better future for SEE and Europe generally by carefully reading the Declaration and addressing the issues outlined in this document.