The Ministry of European Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, with financial support from the European Union (EU) through the EU4ME and European House projects, have launched the educational-communication campaign EUbuzz. In the next three months, debates on EU topics will be organized in high schools across Montenegro. The campaign aims to bring EU topics closer to young people, encourage critical thinking. As well, it strives to motivate them to actively engage in social processes.
In total, 18 schools from 16 Montenegrin cities have applied to participate in the campaign. An EUbuzz Info Day was organized at the “Panto Mališić” high school in Berane for debate clubs from the north. Over 40 members of debate clubs and their mentors from Berane, Bijelo Polje, Petnjica, Mojkovac, Pljevlja, and Rožaje participated.
“The EUbuzz campaign started on October 7th by organizing an Info Day in Podgorica. We are in Berane today, and next Monday we will be in Budva, where we will gather schools from the south. We can say that a kind of EUbuzz caravan is underway, aimed at presenting the European Union to young people in a different, more approachable way. As well, the campaign motivates them to become active members of their community and to critically reflect on the world around them,” explained Jelena Kulidžan from the EU4ME project, which supports the MEP in promoting the European integration process.
The Handbook for “BUZZing” about the European Union, prepared by Melita Rastoder Ljaić from the MEA, was presented during the Info Day.
“The Handbook is intended for young people who want to understand better the European Union and its significance for Montenegro. Through a visual presentation of key information, the guide provides simple explanations of how the EU works and what membership in this union brings to its citizens. We want young people to understand that they are the ones who will shape the future of the European Union when Montenegro, hopefully soon, becomes part of this community,” explained Rastoder Ljaić.
Debaters also had the opportunity to learn new skills important for successfully debating EU-related topics, during a lecture given by Krsto Vuković, head of Montenegro’s Debate Program.
“The best results in acquiring knowledge often come from critically examining the subject, that is, thinking pro and con. In the EUbuzz campaign, debate formats will necessarily require the acquisition of knowledge and key information about how the EU operates and Montenegro’s position in the integration process. Equally important will be raising awareness of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, and other values and standards that we adopt on a personal level as citizens,” Vuković said.
The high school students also spoke with young European ambassadors Marija Blažević and Selda Jahjagić, who talked about the opportunities the EU offers to young people and how much it meant to them to better understand the EU and the integration process. They also promoted the current Call for a new generation of Young European Ambassadors.
The next Info Day is scheduled for October 21 in Budva, for high schools from the south. After that, all 18 participating schools are expected to organize debate tournaments on EU topics to further spread the knowledge gained during the Info Days. The closing event is planned in Podgorica, where diplomas and awards will be presented to the winning teams.