FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The United States Congress has introduced a new bill titled the "Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act".
The draft presented clearly shows the attention the US will have towards the Western Balkans, which it considers a key region for the peace, stability and security of Europe.
One of the points of the document states that regular human exchange programs that bring religious leaders, journalists, members of civil society, politicians, and other individuals from the Western Balkans to the United States will strengthen existing relationships and advance the shared interests and values of the United States in the Western Balkans region.
The document also talks about the "Young Balkan Leaders Initiative", an expanded program for the development of young leaders (18–35 years old) in the fields of business, technology, governance and journalism.
The Department of State, through "Bold," a leadership program for young leaders in several Western Balkan countries, plays an important role in developing young leaders to improve civic engagement and economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro.
"Bold" should be expanded, subject to the availability of funds, across the Western Balkans region.
According to the Congressional document, the Secretary of State should further develop and implement BOLD, hereinafter referred to as the "Balkan Young Leaders Initiative", to promote educational and professional development for young leaders and professionals in the Western Balkans who have demonstrated a passion for contributing to the continued development of the Western Balkans region.
The goals of the Balkan Young Leaders Initiative will be:
(1) further build the capacity of young Balkan leaders in the Western Balkans in the areas of business and information technology, cybersecurity and digitalization, agriculture, civic engagement and public administration;
(2) support young Balkan leaders by providing professional development, training and networking opportunities, particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good governance, public administration and journalism;
(3) support young political, parliamentary and civic leaders of the Balkans in collaborating on regional initiatives related to good governance, environmental protection, government ethics and minority inclusion;
(4) provide greater economic and technical assistance to emerging Balkan leaders to foster economic growth and strengthen ties between businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs in the United States and the Western Balkan countries;
(5) tailor such assistance to advance the specific objectives of each United States mission in the Western Balkans within the framework set forth in this subsection; and
(6) provide funds for such assistance from existing funds available to each United States Mission in the Western Balkans.
Under the Balkan Young Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State will award scholarships to young leaders from the Western Balkans who:
(1) are between the ages of 18 and 35;
(2) have demonstrated strong skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership;
(3) have had a positive impact on their communities, organizations or institutions, including promoting interregional and multiethnic cooperation; and
(4) represent a cross-section of geographic, gender, political, and cultural diversity.
Under the Balkan Young Leaders Initiative, the Secretary of State will leverage existing and future public diplomacy facilities (commonly known as “American Spaces”) to staff and develop programs to create a premier center of public engagement and leadership in the Western Balkans that aims to:
(1) combat disinformation and malicious influence;
(2) promote intercultural engagement;
(3) provide training for young leaders from the Western Balkan countries described in subsection (e);
(4) harmonize the efforts of existing facilities across the Western Balkans created by the U.S. Office of Space; and
( 5) annually bring together participants from the Balkan Young Leaders Initiative to provide platforms for regional networking.
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