Today, the Ambassador of the European Union, Michalis Rokas met with students from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (UKIM) for the first edition of “Students Set the Agenda,” a series of university dialogues in which young people choose the topics they want to discuss.
Organised by the Delegation of the European Union and Europe House, in partnership with the Iustinianus Primus Faculty of Lawin Skopje and Studentarija, the initiative puts students at the centre of conversations about their future. It gives them a platform to ask questions, share their experiences and discuss their expectations and priorities directly with the EU Ambassador.
The students proposed and selected the discussion topics themselves, actively steering the conversation and taking the lead in shaping the agenda. They raised questions about the country’s EU accession process, the rule of law, opportunities for young people and their role in shaping the country’s future.
Ambassador Rokas highlighted the importance of rebuilding trust, demonstrating political commitment and pursuing continued reforms as key steps towards advancing the country’s European path. He particularly emphasised the need to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of institutions.
He also spoke about the opportunities offered by the EU, including the Erasmus+ programme, encouraging young people to gain international experience, bring their knowledge back home and take a more active role in public life. In doing so, they can help drive positive change and create better opportunities for future generations.
“I truly enjoyed today’s meeting with students at UKIM in Skopje. It was refreshing to hear their questions, ideas and concerns and to engage in such an open and honest exchange of views. Young people have a great deal to say about their future, and we need to listen to them. Conversations like these bring us closer together and help us build a better future. But it is not just about listening. Young people must also have a genuine voice in the decisions that affect their lives and the future of their country,” said EU Ambassador Rokas.
The meeting at UKIM marks the first in a series of visits the EU Ambassador will make to universities across the country as part of the “Students Set the Agenda” initiative. The aim is to hear directly from young people about how they see North Macedonia’s European future and the role they want to play in shaping it.
The series is organised by the Delegation of the European Union and Europe House, in partnership with universities across North Macedonia and Studentarija, the country’s largest youth-led student platform. Throughout the academic year, students from across the country will have the opportunity to put their priorities on the EU Ambassador’s agenda.