I send a word of support to the new generation that meets in the framework of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. In this time of economic crisis when young people tend to be the ones most hit by unemployment, solidarity is needed. The EU is working with Member States and social partners in order to create more opportunities for young people. But you are also working for Europe through and by offering new and fresh ideas. I wish you fruitful discussions and I look forward to seeing the results of your work.Jose Manuel Barroso
to young leaders
For the fourth time Nowy Sącz hosts guests of the Forum of Young Leaders
this time over 200 people from over 30 countries. This is a great town promotion says Bożena Jawor, deputy mayor of Nowy Sącz.
I think it is very important to organize events like the Economic Forum for Young Leaders. We five space for young people to meet, discuss european issues, get to know each other and make friends. It's important because we connect young people from 36 european countries. This year we have about 250 participants from the European Union, the Caucasus, Balkans, Turkey, Russia, East European countries like Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova. It's not only a debate about the european issues like the Lisbon Treaty, Eastern Partnership or foreign policy but also an opportunity to meet with the people from the EU neighbouring countries. In 20, maybe in 15 years the EU will be bigger and we need to make connections with the people living outside the EU now.
Aleksander Karcel from Belarus came for the forth time to Nowy Sącz. Every time he's a witness and participant of many interesting discussions ...
During Forum of Young Leaders the new acquiatances are being built. They result in common projects says Tomasz Bratek, Director of the National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme
I send a word of support to the new generation that meets in the framework of the Economic Forum of Young Leaders. In this time of economic crisis when young people tend to be the ones most hit by unemployment, solidarity is needed. The EU is working with Member States and social partners in order to create more opportunities for young people. But you are also working for Europe through and by offering new and fresh ideas. I wish you fruitful discussions and I look forward to seeing the results of your work.
O tegorocznym Forum ale też o jego historii opowiada Tomasz Różniak - prezes Europejskiego Domu Spotkań - Fundacji Nowy Staw
Rozmawiała: Katarzyna Grydniewska / Polskie Radio Lublin
Opening Session
4th ECONOMIC FORUM OF YOUNG LEADERS
Today at 4 pm. the IV Economic Forum of Young Leaders has started in Nowy Sącz. Press conference was followed by the opening session. Michał Wójcik, Programme Director of the Forum said that Forum is a place for meeting, friendship and talking about the future of Europe. Bożena Jawor, Deputy Mayor of the Nowy Sącz Town emphasized that in youth hands lies the future, she wished youth leaders to be promoters of peace and friendship.
Afterwards, 250 participants coming from 36 countries were warmly welcomed by Tomasz Bratek, Director of the “Youth in Action” Programme who claimed that the aim of the meeting is to create the ideas for the future of Europe. He reminded that Forum in an opportunity to get to known closely, to find partners to cooperation and it’s up to participants what Forum will be like. Tomasz Różniak, Chairman of the European Meeting Centre- Nowy Staw Foundation said that the Forum creates an opportunity to find ways to face future Europe’s challenges. He reminded that year 2009 is a special year of anniversaries who makes this time special for reflection and discussions.
Tomasz Różniak
Chairman of the European Meeting Centre – Nowy Staw Foundation
Workshops led by the National Agency of "Youth in Action" Programme
Getting to know each other and integration of the participants.
Active participation means involvement, awareness and solidarity
Youth leaders during workshops stated that active participation means for them involvement, awareness, solidarity, effort, sharing, development, bringing a change and being an actor. During the workshops they had an opportunity to present their organisations, institutions they are representing here. We do hope it will result in real networking an creating new projects.
Intercultural evening
Young Europeans proud of their cultures
During this evening participants will expose their culture to the others. They will be able to taste traditional food and beverages from 36 European countries, talk to their colleagues and learn something new. Organizing this evening we bear in mind the idea of Forum - bringing people from different countries together to get to know each other, talk, learn from each other and become friends.
Tonight’s European mosaic surprised with richness of various European cultures. 36 countries were presenting their history, traditions, cuisines, costumes. The evening united all participants in their diversity. The evening was enriched with the folk dances and songs performed by the Sądeczaki group, local folk music group that honours us with their show every years.
