Fifty-five (55) active young people from 14 countries during the Traditional Youth Conference “European Values for the Future of South-eastern European Countries 2011” focused on promoting the European Values as common values of the young people in SEE. This event took place in Krusevo (Republic of North Macedonia) from 1st till 5th of September 2011.

Throughout five days, the participants made critical and self-critical reviews of the policies implemented in SEE through sharing and discussing common problems concerning youth. The theoretical input was based on good practices about the potential of the actual multicultural EU models and Balkan 2014, and it raised awareness among youth about the significance of the regional cooperation for EU integration. The opportunity that the youth leaders had to interact with the authorities (our guest speakers) is expected to encourage them to continue the dialog with the decision-makers and on the long-term and to establish a higher level of dialogue between both parties. Our proposed program allowed and offered an increase in knowledge and exchanging experiences which resulted with an official document of the conference “Youth Appeal for Action”, that will propose youth actions.

Results and materials

The main conclusions of the conference were that the young people should be proud that they are the key transformational force of our societies and we need to work together today for our future EU tomorrow. One of the EU’s great strengths is its ability to spread European values beyond its borders. Values such as respecting human rights, upholding the role of law, protecting the environment and maintaining social standards in the social market economy. The young people from SEE are the transformational force of the region through the source of our inspiration - European Integration. The final document that was direct outcome of the 9th International Youth Conference you can find on the following link. Overall the conclusions of the conference are sublimated in the conference brochure.