Young people are among the loudest critics of social and political conditions, but at the same time among groups whose trust in state institutions and readiness for political action is extremely low, it was said during today’s session of the Circle 99 Youth Forum “Youth disinterest – Choice or surrender”?.
At the moment when Bosnia and Herzegovina entered the election campaign for the General Elections in 2026, one question requires a more serious answer than pre-election slogans: where are the young people in the processes where their future is decided?.
With this session, the Kruga 99 Youth Forum wants to open a reasoned and critical discussion about the political participation of young people, their attitude towards elections and institutions, the responsibility of political actors, but also the responsibility of the generation itself, which will live the consequences of the decisions made today.
“Young people are among the loudest critics of social and political conditions, but at the same time among groups whose trust in state institutions and readiness for political action is extremely low,” said the president of the Circle 99 Youth Forum Muhamed Hamzić at the press conference.
Hamzić pointed out that not participating in the elections is often presented as complete political neutrality. However, disinterest is not necessarily neutral, Krug 99 said.
“A citizen who does not vote does not cease to be affected by the election results. They will continue to live with the policies adopted by the elected authorities, with economic decisions, educational policies, the health system, the labor market, taxes, infrastructure projects and the attitude of institutions towards citizens. That is why a distinction must be made between the right not to vote and the consequences of the decision not to participate,” said Hamzić.
President of Youth Rights – M1 Nevio Bruck stated that youth should not be a topic only before the elections. They must be part of all the processes in which decisions are made starting from the local community to the highest level.
He added that it is especially important to talk about the political literacy of young people.
“If young people do not know their rights, do not understand how institutions function and do not know to whom they can send a request or demand responsibility, then the formal existence of rights is not enough. Young people are not the future to wait for. They are the present of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the institutions have an obligation to enable them to do so,” said Bruck.
Political scientist Imran Pašalić called on all young people to use their right to vote to the maximum capacity and be an example to all other parts of our society.
“Elections are not a goal, elections are a means for change that we all have at our disposal. Not using that tool responsibly or not using it at all speaks in itself about the political and democratic maturity of an individual, group or society,” said Pašalić, Fena writes.
