Tijana Arnautovic

Welcome Letter


My Dear Serbian Colleagues,

Welcome to the International Diaspora Youth Leadership Conference 2009. The Conference is scheduled for July 9-10, 2009 in our finest capital, Belgrade. Our goal is to help young Serbians develop lifelong skills so they can become visionary leaders of the future. We are the only Diaspora Organization established, developed and managed by Young People for Young People.

Over the summer, we expect many young Serbians to be travelling to their own country, whether on holidays or for business matters. We would like to invite all of them as well as the Serbians residing locally to join us in Belgrade to learn, network and get connected with your other Serbian brothers and sisters from all over the world. This way we can all work together at finding ways to be our own community leaders, as well as to get more involved with our heritage.

The International Diaspora Youth Leadership Conference 2009 is the first youth entrepreneurship event in Serbia. The conference attracts the best and brightest young Serbs from all over the world. This year's event is expected to bring together 400 students of ages 18 to 30 for an inspiration and learning experience.

The Conference will concentrate on thematic areas of concern that have earlier been previously identified by young people from Diaspora, Serbia, namely on: leadership development; poverty eradication; good governance and democracy; conflict and peace; trade and socio-economic development; co-development; Inter-cultural dialogue; employment ad social cohesion; strategy and instruments for youth participation and co-operation.

The networking activities provide participants with an opportunity to develop and practice key business skills such as teamwork, strategizing, decision making, taking initiative, and developing creativity. Our exhibition showcases innovative student initiatives from across the country and features our corporate partners who highlight their products and services.

Last but not least, a fun celebration with a popular Serbian singer will be held, where all the attendants can collectively celebrate our culture and heritage. We aim to mobilize our Youth (in Diaspora and Serbia) in order to explore and articulate a shared vision of the future of Serbia. Interested youths are encouraged to participate at the conference by either presenting papers or by simply being actively involved.

Together, we will examine the prospects for bridging the gaps among Serbian and Diaspora youth, as well as identify best practices and models for youth empowerment, leadership development, crime prevention, networking, and family stability. Remember, we CAN make a difference. Together we can work at bettering the future for all of our young Serbian friends, who are desperately seeking for our help.
So please join us on this journey as we look ahead of bringing together those who will be the key leaders to "Unlocking our Serbian Future".

Miodrag Jaksic

Welcome Letter

Dear Young Serbians,

On behalf of the Diaspora Youth International Leadership Organizing Committee, I would like to thank you in advance for your upcoming participation in making a difference at the International Youth Leadership Conference 2009. We all will be working with you in a series of fun, interactive, educational workshops aimed at helping youth become leaders in this world.

During the time you spend at this conference, a substantial part of the agenda will be focusing on leadership development, history, identity, culture, health, education, poverty and violence. Why are these topics important? Why do you as a young leader need to know about your history? Knowing this history is important because "A generation which ignores its history has no past and no future."(Robert Heinlein). If you are a student, community member, parent, or organization, see how you can bring the Youth Leadership Initiative to your school!

If you are born here but grow up abroad come back and make new discoveries about youth leadership engagement and network. This conference is all about embracing your ideas and building upon what you view as local and global leadership. At Diaspora youth international leadership today, we believe that youth contain the passion to believe, the courage to dream and the intensity to act. We need you because you are our leaders of tomorrow.

We strongly encourage submission of paper proposals that are based on case studies and best practices on domestic and international youth issues: e.g. youth development and leadership, peer relations, Serbia - Diaspora youth study abroad exchanges, community outreach, crime prevention and peace building/peacemaking, peace education, art expression, music, media and value formation, Serbian - Diaspora relations, girl-child education; Child soldiers; youth gangs/cults; etc.

We are Expected Results:

• Reinforcing existing youth networks and building partnerships
• Showcasing successful initiatives to address youth issues that actively engage youth in finding solutions and taking leadership
• Developing strategies and action plans to take back to our countries

We are excited to be working with you and all the other amazing youth from around the world. We will be dedicating 100 per cent of our energy and attention to you during the conference and we know you can do the same in return.

Thank you for your invaluable contribution to the full development of our young people and the future of society.