Youth on the Move: A Path to Knowledge and Change
Youth Mobility: More Than Emigration
Our society often associates youth mobility with the emigration of young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, although it also involves other forms of movement prompted by a wide range of reasons. Youth mobility, from a different perspective than the one held by our society, is the movement of young people through mobility programs aimed at networking, learning, integration, gaining autonomy, new values, and personal growth and development. When properly understood and supported, mobility becomes a key to empowering young people and their active involvement in societal processes.
Support for Mobility through Programs and Institutions
Such programs are often funded by the European Union, but there is also space for launching and financing mobility programs by various institutions, both domestic and international. Young people across Europe now have access to programs such as Erasmus Plus, European Solidarity Corps, SALTO Youth, AIESEC, CEEPUS, and others through which they can volunteer, study, work, attend training, and more, with scholarships or paid travel, accommodation, and pocket money. Local authorities are also obligated to provide opportunities for mobility, encourage youth participation in international mobility opportunities, and provide financial support. In addition to international exchanges, Bosnia and Herzegovina must also work on networking young people within the country, considering that the basic conditions for youth mobility within the country are hindered by the fact that cities and municipalities are not well connected by intercity transport, especially when it comes to railway transport.
Although young people in BiH have traveled more in recent decades, the percentage of those who have participated in excursions within and outside BiH, student exchanges, summer schools, and camps is not at a satisfactory level. Youth mobility in BiH is most often implemented through non-governmental organizations, schools, and universities that, through their international projects, enable young people to travel.
Promoting cultural exchange and tourism development, both nationally and internationally, provides young people with opportunities to gain new experiences and broaden their horizons. The exchange of ideas, exposure to different cultures, and participation in international projects strengthen their intercultural competencies and social awareness. Through these activities, young people develop creativity, self-confidence, and adaptability, which makes them more competitive in the labor market. At the same time, such programs contribute to their professional networking and open opportunities for future collaboration, directly impacting the quality of their personal and professional development.
Informing Young People as the Key to Success
For young people in a country with few opportunities, the possibility of staying in a foreign country with covered expenses for the purpose of networking, learning, and discovering might seem unreal. The key reason for this is insufficient promotion of mobility programs, which results in a lack of awareness among young people about these opportunities. Data shows that young people are still insufficiently informed, despite municipalities and regions taking on the responsibility to actively promote and support the development of information and advisory centers aimed at providing information on various aspects of life, including advice on recreational activities, sports, cultural programs, opportunities for temporary employment, vocational training, and information on housing solutions and youth organizations’ work.
To improve the position of young people and meet their needs, it is necessary to systematically support the opening of information centers with professional staff, who will provide relevant information and counseling. Public media, such as radio and television, should ensure space for promoting topics important to young people, as well as for presenting their activities. At the same time, it is crucial to provide financial and logistical support to youth media projects, including web portals, magazines, as well as television and radio programs, giving young people a voice in the public space and enabling the development of their creative potential.
Youth mobility and information are not luxuries but necessities for the development of a society that recognizes the potential of its youth. By investing in mobility infrastructure, information centers, and the promotion of youth programs, BiH can ensure a future that is favorable to young people.
