Youth Imagining Europe from the Western Balkans: Ajda Hedžet at the European Parliament

Ajda Hedžet, researcher at Center for International Relations, participated in the event Youth Imagining Europe from the Western Balkans, held on 4 June 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels. Hosted by Member of the European Parliament Vladimir Prebilič (Greens/EFA), the event brought together researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives, and youth experts to discuss how young people across the Western Balkans perceive Europe, democracy, and their role in shaping the region’s future.

Ajda Hedžet is a 2026 Fellow of the Regional Network of Centers for Advanced Studies in Southeast Europe (RECAS), and her participation in the European Parliament event took place within the framework of this fellowship. This year’s fellowship programme explores how young people in Southeast Europe imagine and enact democratic futures amid persistent structural and geopolitical tensions.

In her contribution, she emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse interpretative frameworks through which young people make sense of democracy, political participation, Europe, and social change. She argued that researchers, policymakers, and institutions need to engage more closely with the language, experiences, and meanings through which young people themselves understand political and social realities. Such an approach is essential for developing more inclusive policies and strengthening meaningful youth participation in democratic processes.

More information: https://recas.info/youth-imagining-europe-from-the-western-balkans-discussed-at-the-european-parliament/