The International Conference of Diaspora Youth Leaders

"Building Bridges through prepare Tomorrow's leaders Today"

The organizer's main idea was the exchange of ideas and experiences, making stronger friendships between young people in Serbia and diaspora and spreading of cultural identity. Participants agreed that differences should be overcome and an image of new and prosperous Serbia created. The best way for reaching that point is via young people full of energy and anxious to succeed and prove themselves


By DUŠICA ANTIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


"The First International Conference of Diaspora Youth Leaders" took place on 9th and 10th of July in Belgrade Sava Centre. The topic of the conference was "Building Bridges through prepare Tomorrow's leaders Today". Young people from 20 countries, from all five continents, took part in this conference. They are all of different profesions, students from different colleges... all together 600 contestants. Support to these young people was extended by the older and more experienced colleagues who made their career abroad and in Serbia. In their speaches on the conference they were talking about their ways to reach the top and gave some advices to their younger colleagues.

Serbian Diaspora consists of three million people on all the continents. In their new countries they gave their best to adapt and this conference had the goal of making stronger connections with the motherland.

Officials of Belgrade and Serbia saw a briliant idea in this Conference and decided to support it. Highlight speakers were: Srđan Srećković, Minister of the Diaspora, Snežana Samardžić-Marković, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Željko Ožegović, a member of Belgrade City Council. Also Tijana Arnautović, Chairman of The International Conference of Diaspora Youth Leaders 2009, Zoran Jovanović, Executive Manager of the Belgrade 2009 Universiade, His Eminence, Bishop of Australia and New Zealand Mr. Irinej i Miodrag Jakšić, State Secretary of the Ministry of the Diaspora.

The main goal of this conference was development of business cooperation and establishment of a network of our businessmen around the world. "Let this conference become Myspace and Facebook live", said Srđan Srećković, Minister of the Diaspora

The organizer's idea was the exchange ideas and experiences and making stronger relationships between young people in Serbia and Diaspora, also spreading ideas about cultural identity,
Attendants agreed that it is importnat to overcome the diferences and make an image of new and prosperous Serbia, the best way for this is via young people who have a lot of energy anddesire to succeed.

During these two days, it was discussed about youth enterprenourship development, education and investments. How it feels to be a Serbian youngster abroad, global position of Serbs, relations between Europe and Serbia and how to keep the national identity in the 21th century were some of topics on Conference.

What next?

"All of us in Diaspora wish to come back as much as you in Serbia wish to go abroad", said Zora Arnautović, one of the organizers of this conference. She pointed out that it is very important for Serbia and Diaspora to cooperate much more because Serbian young people abrad often don't speak Serbian language well, and the older ones often forget it.

His Eminence, Bishop of Australia and New Zealand Mr. Irinej said that relations and discussions should be revived. He also mentioned that there is anin idea of opening a Serbian collage in Australia so that our youth residing in that country could be educated in their mother tongue.

Serbia has the potential. During the large manifestations there were many guests in Serbia who will relate their positive impresions. Their words were once again considered the best advertisement and for serbia in the world.

Work, but also friendship

In the end of the first conference day the leading 30 young businessmen were awarded the "30 below 30" rewards in Belgrade City Council. Second night was concluded on Ada Ciganlija where the participants had an oportunity to have nice and relaxing evening and to celebrate after sucesfull conference.

Everyone expressed their hopes this conference will become a traditionand even more attended because realtions between Serbia and Serbian people in Diaspora are very important for the present and even more for the future generations.


(Published: 18.07.2009.)