In 2021 a young Polish woman, Izabela, was admitted to the hospital due to pregnancy complications. Her fetus had many problems and disorders and could not survive. But doctors were hesitant to operate on her because of a new law in Poland that bans abortion except in cases of incest and rape. Isabella’s condition worsened. She texted her mother: “my temperature is rising, I don’t think they will operate on me until the fetus’s heart is beating, and by then I could get sepsis.” She died a few hours later.
written by Aleksandra Martić, Serbia
In recent years, the use of mobile phones and social media among children has become one of the most frequently discussed social issues. The rapid development of digital technology has brought many advantages, but it has also opened numerous questions about its impact on younger generations.
written by Regis Shyti, Albania
Albania has been moving steadily along the path toward European Union membership, a journey marked by both historic milestones and persistent challenges. After decades of reform and adaptation, the European Commission has opened all chapters of the accession negotiations, signaling that Albania is now closer than ever to joining the European family.
written by Pavel Smulski, Estonija
Youth, opting out of education and delaying entry into the workforce, face a growing problem. In the European Union, the proportion of unemployed young people aged 15 to 29 was 11.7%, and in Estonia – 10.6%, which is still too high. In the Netherlands, with their highly organized education system, this figure is only 4.2%.
written by Veselin Popović, Montenegro
The Balkans, a region often surrounded by mysticism and myths that can possess irresistible charm but also occasionally overwhelm us with fear. It is also the place where a new monster has emerged – the Rimac Nevera racing car.
written by Aleksandra Bogdanovska, North Macedonia
A person dealing with mental disorder has historically been looked down on, shamed or excluded from normal everyday activities. Although, some mental illnesses or disorders can make a person sometimes violent or unpredictable, this is often vastly exaggerated by the media…
written by Milica Kašćelan, Montenegro
Dobrota lace lives and breathes through hands. Hands that wait, embrace, build, and overcome the toughest battles. It endures through the hands that strive to preserve it from oblivion, from the cruelty of time, and from fleeting trends. These hands carry the burden of women across more than five centuries, creating a path where new patterns will become works of art.
written by Ena, Aleksandra and Milena, North Macedonian team, North Macedonia
People in the Balkans share quite an intensive amount of experiences, including their intertwined past but also present, especially in the cultural aspect. They share the same food, with some small regional variations, same expressions and mannerisms, and to some extent the same preference in music.
written by Milica Damjanović , Montenegro
With globalization, its key principles, and the expansion of opportunities for connection, exchange of ideas, and cooperation in all its aspects, serious global problems are also developing. One of the biggest is the prevalence of hate speech, where the growth trend is increasing. The existence and expansion of social networks where this problem is most prevalent gives this phenomenon a greater opportunity for development.
written by MEDIActive Youth Network, Europe
UNESCO’s new toolkit helps media organisations promote media literacy, trust and information integrity.
written by Arta Abduli, North Macedonia
On the 11th of November, the Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) proudly organized the 6th edition of the ‘Born 2 Run Race’ in Kumanovo. This highly anticipated event, featuring both a 3km and a 10km race, marked a celebration of unity, resilience, and community engagement.
written by Mateja Maletin, Serbia
In the past five years, children and young people have been increasingly exposed to digital violence, according to research by the umbrella organization of young people in Serbia. In the period from 2019 to 2021, a stable trend was recorded, where 37% of respondents stated that they had been exposed to digital violence, while this percentage increased to 40% in 2022, i.e. in 2023, even 47% of respondents stated that they were exposed to digital violence.