On 29-31 August 2025, young professionals from 26 countries gathered in Pokljuka, Slovenia at the Young Bled Strategic Forum (YBSF) to explore the role of values in international politics. The event - linked to the Bled Strategic Forum – was a reflective debate with practical, participant-centred learning and high-level discussions.
This year's theme, 'What values?', examined the crisis of the rule-based international order and the faltering fight against climate emergency. It also explored how practitioners can reconcile ideals with real-world constraints and transform analyses into practical skills and policy-relevant outcomes.
In partnership with organisations such as The Carter Center, Cast from Clay and the Gajst Institute, workshops were delivered to provide participants with the tools necessary for community-driven solutions to climate and conflict issues, as well as for achieving policy impacts through strategic storytelling and creative political communication.
Prioritising the empowerment of youth is crucial to secure a sustainable and prosperous future. Challenges such as inadequate education systems and consequent difficulties in the transition from education to the labour market are central and demand urgent and targeted solutions. The CEI is committed to raising awareness and implementing measures to address these issues, including supporting youth through capacity building and mobility programmes. (CEI Plan of Action 2024-2026)
The CEI is proud to support an agenda that promotes youth leadership and acquisition of practical skills across our region, thus ensuring a concrete support to the CEI Youth Agenda.
For more info: radovanovic@cei.int
