As the Beyond Borders project gears up for its highly anticipated “Beyond Borders Stakeholder Conference – Creating a Positive Impact Through Cooperation”, 16–20 September 2024, we caught up with the facilitators of the event, Anna Yeghoyan from Armenia and Snezana Baclija Knoch from Serbia, to dive into what makes this conference a starting point for more quality cooperation cross-borders.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Bonn, Germany, the spotlight is on enhancing international youth cooperation between the EU programme and neighbouring partner countries through the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. Almost 100 participants and experts from 30 countries will take a reflective look at past achievements but also a forward-thinking approach to building stronger, more inclusive international connections.
A Vision for the Future
Snezana Baclija Knoch says that this conference is more than just about celebrating work done. It’s also about reinvigorating the dialogue around key issues such as democracy, resilience, peace, and solidarity. We want to ensure that international cooperation remains at the forefront of our efforts and is fully understood and valued, she shares about the bigger mission of the event.
The stakeholder conference approach involves tackling future narratives and trends head-on, without shying away from difficult conversations. A lot of emphasis is put on evidence-based practices and research.
The event brings together a diverse panel of contributors, including representatives from the EU4Youth Cooperation and Policy Support, the Anna Lindh Foundation, the RAY Network (Research-based Analysis and Monitoring of European Youth Programmes), Regional Youth Cooperation Office, EU Neighbours East etc.
Anna Yeghoyan works as an educator, consultant and researcher in the youth field. Together with Snezana and Andrei Popsecu the team of three will be working hard to create a space where the participants from diverse regions and realities find a common ground.
In order to move forward, it’s necessary to address these sensitivities and realities to foster more effective and inclusive cooperation. For this, an open conversation is needed. The goal is to provide evidence-based insights and present concrete data on how to enhance international cooperation, Anna comments.
Navigating the Challenges
Even though all regions are different, there are also some shared obstacles for the partner countries which need to be addressed on a political and institutional level.
One pressing challenge is ensuring young people have access to mobility opportunities. We’ve seen instances where visa delays have prevented young participants from joining events. This technical issue hinders active youth participation and reveals a need for European projects to receive higher priority, Anna shares.
Snezana agrees and admits that this is often due to the lack of commitment at the EU and government level. It’s not just about bringing participants from partner countries to the EU; it’s about fostering mutual learning and understanding. There needs to be a genuine will to engage with partner countries, rather than just expecting them to participate, she adds.
To the question of “What’s in it for the EU?” Anna says that there are many benefits. Engaging with different regions can foster a deeper appreciation for its own freedoms and democracy. Seeing the challenges faced by others can highlight the fragility of these values and promote introspection and growth.
Need for a Better Power Balance
Ultimately, our goal is to create a more balanced and equitable partnership among regions. By focusing on European citizenship education and encouraging equal contributions, we can build a more inclusive and understanding European community, Snezana believes.
I also see the need for longer-term learning and capacity-building programmes. These could help organisations grow and enhance their institutional development. It’s about moving beyond one-time mobilities to fostering ongoing peer learning and collaboration, Anna adds.
