Generation EU: A Youth Perspective from the Western Balkans

written by Lena Popovski, North Macedonia

For decades, young people from the Western Balkans have lived between two worlds – one defined by borders, bureaucracy and post-conflict challenges, and another, just across those borders, shaped by freedom of movement, vibrant democratic values and economic opportunities. The second one is the European Union.



New Hope for a Free and Inclusive Twitter?

written by Mehmet Demir, Germany

Recently, Musk posed a question to his audience on Twitter about whether the company should find a new CEO. This interaction with users showcases his openness to community opinions and willingness to listen to their voices. In the end, Musk fulfilled his promise and handed over the CEO position to Linda Yaccarino.



Multiethnic and diverse Montenegrin society as indicator of stability in the Western Balkans

written by Iva Radović, Anđela Tomović, Aleksandar Kovačević, Montenegro

Today, Montenegro represents a multiethnic state characterized by rich linguistic and religious diversity. Despite the severe conflicts that followed the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Montenegro managed to preserve relative stability.





Fake News: An invasion of the digital age

written by Youssef Chaat, Morocco

Fake news is a misleading or deceptive information deliberately created to manipulate opinions, generate clicks, or confuse the public. It can take different forms such as: news articles, decontextualized information, videos, manipulated images, or memes, and can spread quickly on social media, reaching a wide audience.



Issues with Youth Employment in North Macedonia

written by Katerina Kamchevska, Northern Macedonia

Like in many countries in the Western Balkans, youth in North Macedonia faces the same issues related to unemployment. In general, the job market is too limited and restricted to offer opportunities for the youth, starting with the capital, Skopje, and extending to other cities where the population and economy are significantly lower.



Anxiety as a Leader of Young Millennials

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…





The (negative) impact of social media on young people in Serbia

written by Lenka Nedeljkov Srbinoski, Romina Begaj, Serbia

Social media’s impact on mental health among Serbian youth is concerning. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat dominate their daily lives, and often promote some unattainable beauty standards and fostering feelings of inadequacy. These platforms serve as spaces where young people compare themselves incessantly to influencers and peers, which can cause anxiety and depression by its users.



Critical Thinking in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

written by Azra Tapuškić, Bosnia and Herzegovina

As Generative AI (GenAI) becomes a standard “colleague” in our workflows, the primary threat to critical thinking is no longer misinformation alone, but cognitive offloading. This phenomenon occurs when we delegate the “productive struggle” of reasoning to an algorithm, leading to what researchers now call “metacognitive laziness”.



Harmonizing Critical and Creative Thinking:
A Blueprint for Success

written by Mr Mohamed Fethi, Algeria

In this article, we explore the symbiotic relationship between critical and creative thinking. We’ll delve into how these two modes of thought intersect and complement each other, forming a powerful toolkit for navigating the complexities of modern life. From their applications in various contexts to their role in personal and professional growth, we’ll uncover the myriad benefits of embracing a balanced approach that integrates both critical and creative thinking.