Have you ever wondered why building the capacities of young people is so important? Youth acquire essential communication skills through dynamic and interactive workshops and develop conflict resolution and teamwork abilities. These skills transform them into future leaders capable of facing challenges in schools and communities. Student council presidents become catalysts for change, empowering their peers and strengthening social bonds.
As part of the “Building Bridges – Breaking Walls” project, implemented by the Mreža savjeta/vijeća učenika Bosne i Hercegovine for over a year, 185 young leaders—student council presidents—participated in training focused on capacity building, leadership development, and strengthening the skills necessary for effective management.
This number doesn’t stop here; participants share their experiences as peer educators, imparting skills and knowledge to other students and significantly impacting high schoolers across Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are also involved in researching youth attitudes toward multiculturalism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will encompass 15,000 respondents from diverse backgrounds.
The workshops have created a network of young representatives from secondary schools who will advocate for student rights in collaboration with ministries. Through initiatives like promoting multiculturalism and establishing guidelines on students’ rights and responsibilities, the relationship between students and teachers has improved, and numerous community-oriented projects have been launched. This demonstrates how much young people can contribute to their communities.
“As the Executive Director of the Network of Student Councils in BiH, I am truly proud of our results during the training sessions. Our team had the opportunity to be a real support to young leaders, helping them achieve their goals. Through these training sessions, knowledge and experiences were shared that will assist them in their work with their counsels. Our aim was to empower and encourage youth, and now, equipped with new skills, we proudly watch them move forward, building a better future for all young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will continue our efforts and train new young leaders, as we believe in the strength and potential of every young person,” stated Ermin Mandžuka.
By empowering youth, we lay the groundwork for a better future. When we provide young people with the opportunity to develop their skills and become active participants in their communities, we not only strengthen their voices but also shape a society that is more resilient, fairer, and enriched by diverse perspectives. Let us invest in our youth, for they are the bearers of the change we wish to see!
