Nina Tirić was born in Sarajevo, where she completed primary and secondary school, and then received her master’s degree in sociology from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo. Since 2021, she has been employed at the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton.
Nina believes that her formal education was very important for her professional development, as it provided her with the foundation for acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to work in certain fields, as well as developing critical thinking.
“Education is not just about acquiring theoretical knowledge, but also a process that shapes a person, enabling them to better navigate the challenges of the modern world ,” says Nina.
In addition to formal education, he particularly emphasizes the importance of non-formal education, which includes the development of personal skills and adaptation to rapid changes in society and technology.
Nina completed the Basic Training for Youth Officers, of which she says: “The training benefited me a lot in terms of understanding and creating enforceable policies towards young people, how to encourage young people to advocate publicly and influence political decision-making, and how to support and strengthen them capacities of youth associations in order to improve the lives of young people. The training provided me with new experiences and encouraged me to think about the challenges that today’s generations face, but also improved my knowledge and skills in key areas that directly affect the work of local governments with young people. “I had the opportunity to meet representatives of local communities from all over the country and to exchange experiences, ideas and examples of good practice with representatives of the youth sector ,” she says.
He considers the role of youth officers to be very important because they represent a link between government institutions and young people. He states that the main task of youth officers is to provide support and assistance to young people and youth organizations, establish quality cooperation with umbrella youth structures, inform young people about youth programs and projects, and strengthen the inclusion of young people in decision-making processes.
There are numerous steps and activities in which Nina has participated to improve the position of youth, and one of them is the development of a strategic document for youth.
He states about the work process that led to the adoption of that document: “The Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton, in cooperation with the Institute for Social Research of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Sarajevo, initiated the development of the Youth Strategy for the period 2024-2030. A survey was conducted in the Sarajevo Canton on the position and needs of youth, in which 1,021 young people were surveyed. The development of the Youth Strategy involved key stakeholders who have expertise in various areas relevant to the youth sector.”
As a youth officer, Nina particularly emphasizes that this process included organizing meetings and workshops within the framework of public consultations, in which high school students, students, youth councils, civil society organizations, youth associations and associations dealing with youth issues participated.
Regarding her direct involvement in the development, she says: “I had the opportunity to participate and provide expert input in the process of developing a strategic document within the area of Human Rights and Security, and we are currently working intensively on creating an Action Plan within the Youth Strategy, which requires an intersectoral approach in planning and implementing defined activities that will be visible, both through budget allocations and through a significant number of strategic projects.”
What is important and what Nina particularly points out is that it is important to have a document for young people, which will not sit in a drawer in order to fulfill its form, but should be based on the real needs of young people in KS, providing the possibility of participation and a holistic approach in all aspects of development and implementation of strategic plans for youth involvement.
He says about the developments in the Canton of Sarajevo that occurred during the strategy development process: “Coordination between line ministries, municipalities and institutions has increased, which enables more efficient work on the implementation of long-term goals prescribed by the Strategy. There has been greater participation of young people through various types of working groups, consultations and public debates, thus increasing transparency in the work of government institutions. Young people are also included in the commission for the implementation of the Public Call for Co-financing of Non-Profit Organizations and Youth Associations for Youth Projects. The Youth Council of the Canton of Sarajevo has been re-established, which promotes and encourages young people, now through a strategic approach with the aim of involving them in all areas of public life. Greater attention has been paid to networking and cooperation with youth associations and the non-governmental sector, with whom we create and strengthen joint projects and initiatives aimed at improving the position of young people. A partnership has been established with international organizations that brings a global perspective and financial support for the achievement of sustainable goals within the Strategy.”
And what are her plans for the future in working with young people?
Nina states as her primary goal the active strengthening, support and promotion of youth policy, and the implementation of institutional mechanisms of government care for young people.
“In order to understand young people and recognize their needs and problems, it is very important to communicate with them. That is why I will continue to develop dialogue with young people, strengthen cooperation and coordination of activities with the youth sector and youth associations, and cooperate with all levels of government in order to improve the systemic organization of the youth sector. We need to create an inclusive society by involving all stakeholders from state bodies, institutions, the non-governmental sector and citizens in order to act synergistically, thus creating a sustainable future that reflects the needs and potential of young people ,” he concluded.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT plans, organizes and implements a training program for youth officers and certification of officials who work with youth in city, municipal and cantonal government bodies. The training program consists of basic and advanced training. The basic training program trains the participant to perform the duties of a professional in the state youth service and is attended by persons who meet the criteria for applying for a public call according to the Rulebook on Training Procedures and Certification of Youth Officers of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports. Advanced training is attended by persons who have a certificate of the basic training program for the purpose of advanced training and further training. The basic training program for an official lasts 120 working hours, divided into modules.
Source: mladi.org
