Author(s): Dženan Rizvanović,Ivan Durgutov,Dina Abazović,Ilija Franeta,Mina Međedović,Amina Imamović,Maja Mijović,Mersiha Čomor / Language(s): English
It is a huge privilege to write this introduction for the publication of the Civic Platform for Young Liberal Activists modules and activities. This publication is not only an outcome of one project, but it is also an amazing intellectual product of the number of young activists who diligently worked together to promote their ideas and hard work. Firstly, I would like to thank them on behalf of the BDF and CPLA for being part of this project and for producing this remarkable intellectual work. This publication offers readers a chance to see the real capacity of youth in political and social activism and their strength in creating new social values. They mobilise the process of establishing new, progressive and liberal values as a social reality in their countries and region. Young activists who have participated in this project have demonstrated stimulating and motivating ethics of work. Investing their free time in studying few important social phenomena which are influencing our everydayness and in rethinking mechanisms of confrontation within them for the purpose of rerouting them with the help of liberal values and ideas must be highly appreciated. The liberal idea in the Western Balkan area is in the periphery of political palette, and values and outcomes of this ideology in the history of democracy are not publicly valued enough. These opinion pieces show not only a fine intellectual product, but the capacity for the recognition of liberal values and ideas, and acknowledgment of youth’s ability to produce a better future for everyone in WB region. The topics that these young liberals decided to work on and present reflect their intellectual hunger, a generational capacity and capital that they have. The importance of the selected topics for our collective present and future is outstanding! Their decision to work on topics of biodiversity and importance of the state intervention in the sphere of nature balance; to discuss on position of young workers in the service industry in WB, their social position and mental health; to analyse empathy and its influence on building the society of tolerance and understanding the liberal society; and to think of modern bureaucracy and its digital revolution is truly refreshing and aspiring. These topics are not often discussed in our region, and it is important that the young people raise such issues, in this case young and smart liberals. The modern society faces various challenges and, as a result, it is constantly changing. To ensure the successful fight with the changes, we need to analyse and work on them and to have constant debates on the importance of finding the best mechanisms and tools for overcoming the challenges. The youth is best in initiating those discussions, and they must express their perceptions on society and fast life evolution. With their help, the debates can produce amazing results. We need to think and talk about resolving various issues in the society, but firstly, we must read what youth is thinking about. Our debate starts with this amazing reading material. Enjoy as much as I did!
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