Celebrating Youth Leadership on International Youth Day

Amidst the multifaceted crises facing our world, the unwavering optimism, innovative solutions, and resilience shown by the youth remind us there's still time to realign with the SDGs. 

On International Youth Day, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ingrid Macdonald, emphasised the importance of youth in our society: "Today, as we mark the International Youth Day, I would like us to celebrate the determination, ideas and leadership of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored, humanity depends on youth's boundless energy, ideas and contributions everywhere."

"Today, and every day, let's stand with young people in shaping a just, inclusive and sustainable world for people and the planet. The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to the strong representation of young people, particularly those who can be left behind — young people with disabilities, young refugees and migrants who seek new beginnings, and the LGBTIQ+ youth who champion equality."

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, International Youth Day is marked by a series of events under the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth's campaign focused on showcasing young people's resilience, resourcefulness and leadership when it comes to creating a better world for all.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by the Austrian Development Agency, hosted the "You(th) Speak First" event in Dom Mladih Sarajevo. This event assembled youth from across the country, offering them a platform to voice their concerns, needs, and challenges. Youth activists relayed their experiences, highlighting what improvements are needed for the youth's quality of life. Key discussions included representatives from three umbrella youth organisations and their proactive initiatives for youth, emphasising the importance of youth participation in decision-making at all governmental levels. The outcomes of these discussions were shared with authorities and international community representatives.

Dajana Bašić, from the Prnjavor Youth Center, established with IOM's Bosnia-Herzegovina Resilience Initiative (BHRI) project's support, commented, "International Youth Day is every day when we hear a young person's voice or witness their progress benefits the community. I've had many such enriching experiences and am committed to championing such voices, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Echoing her sentiments, activist Adnan Družić of the Bosanski Petrovac Youth Council said that future youth days should also be about youth achievements and transformative projects in their communities and praised the BHRI project for its continuous support, thanks to which the young people in Bosanski Petrovac got more opportunities for quality time and personal development.

The Fusion Fiesta Festival was held on International Youth Day at Safet Zajko Park in Sarajevo. It was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Sarajevo Canton, the Special Olympics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Institute of Public Health FBIH, and with the support of the Italian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The festival celebrated the diverse cultural fabric of Bosnian and Herzegovinian youth, featuring cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, educational games, and various interactive activities.

Highlights included an inclusive inter-municipal youth basketball competition with teams from across BiH, a friendly football match, musical performances, a cuisine quiz, street shows, and art workshops. The festival is part of the "Moving Us Closer," project which aims to foster social cohesion, reduce prejudice and discrimination, and encourage intercultural dialogue and reconciliation among young people from seven cities: Sarajevo, East Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Tuzla, Brčko, Bosanski Petrovac, and Bijeljina.

UNICEF invited young people to present their viewpoints through video content and spread their messages across various UNICEF platforms. The youth shared their observations on environmental protection to foster increased awareness about the crucial importance of environmental conservation and acquire the green skills necessary for life in the 21st century to ensure a sustainable future.

Additionally, the IOM supported the Neretva Green Fest as part of the PYAF RM DemoFest, in collaboration with the youth from OKC UrbanArt Jablanica. Over the weekend, volunteers at the Green Fest planted 100 lavender and oleander seedlings, revamped the light poles on the Museum's Plateau, painted a mural showcasing local landmarks, and adorned a bridge with decorative flowers. A key feature of the Neretva Green Fest was the "ECO-UP walk and talk". This educational initiative covered topics such as environmental protection, the circular economy, nature-focused volunteerism, and both current and future innovative strategies in environmental conservation. One attendee, Sara Krečinić, expressed her joy in participating, noting the skills she acquired and the power of teamwork.

On the occasion of International Youth Day, United Nations in BiH, in partnership with the United Nations Volunteers and the United Nations Development Programme, published a story about Anes Kujović from Sarajevo, the world's first UN Volunteer with Down syndrome. With a determined spirit and with the great support of his family and friends, he managed to fight for his place in the community. Today, Anes sits in the Department for Education, Culture and Sports in the Municipality of Centar Sarajevo, where he performs administrative tasks as a UN volunteer.