Young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina face a number of challenges – from economic insecurity to social exclusion. In this context, the continuous development of youth officers who work daily with youth organizations and organizations that deal with young people in local communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina is of key importance. The basic training of youth officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina offers officials a platform for joint work, improvement of skills and knowledge with which officials improve the relationship of local administrations with young people.
During the third training module, youth officers dealt with policies towards young people, work with young people and human rights. Human rights education enables officials to recognize violations of young people’s rights and to act in accordance with legislative and ethical norms. Often, young people in BiH do not have adequate resources or access to the information they need to exercise their rights. It is therefore crucial that youth workers are well informed and trained to provide appropriate information and support to young people in the community.
“On this module, we were reminded what youth policy is, what are the elements of the policy, mechanisms, application of the law on youth, steps in creating a strategy for youth, and how youth can be involved in the decision-making process and how to apply it at the local level. Another important topic we covered was human rights, their application in theory and practice, and civil society and the youth sector. Analyzing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, the conclusion was imposed that the state of law is connected to the current social, economic and political state. For me personally, guidelines were given in working with young people, how and in what way to develop policies towards young people and to create an environment suitable for the participation of young people and youth associations in the decision-making process” , said participant Naliha Šabanović, an employee of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo.
One of the main goals of this module is to empower youth officers in order to promote equality, equality and active participation of all young people in society, and to recognize this through the creation and implementation of policies towards young people. Through the module, officers were introduced to the basic principles of human rights, but also to special issues relevant to effective policies towards young people. Through interactive workshops, case studies and examples from practice, officers learned how to improve the position of young people and their rights. The work of youth officers contributes not only to strengthening the position of young people, but also to the promotion of democratic values within the local community.
One of the participants, Amir Alispahić, a youth worker from Busovača, points out: “The training was extremely valuable and instructive for me. I learned many new concepts and skills that I can now apply in working with youth in my community. I consider this program to be a key part of my professional development because it provided me with fundamental knowledge and prepared me for the challenges that await me. The dynamics of the training and the variety of topics inspired me to improve my capacities, which will open up new opportunities for me in the future.”
In addition to the regular sessions, through the third module, the training participants had the opportunity to learn about the work of the organization Perpetuum mobile – the Institute for Youth and Community Development and the programs they implement with the City of Banja Luka, and the training participants dealt with the work of youth centers through a tour of the Banja Luka Youth Center .
Investing in the education of youth officials with an emphasis on youth rights represents a key step towards creating a fairer society for youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This training empowers people who are on the front line of supporting young people, enabling young people to actively participate in creating their own future and to realize their rights.
Source: mladi.org
