Young people talk skills – #MySkills4You
What do young people think are the most important skills? What is their perception of what countries are doing to support the development of their skills? The European Training Foundation has asked young people between the ages of 16 and 26 to share their views in videos, in our newly launched #MySkills4You initiative.
The initiative echoes the voices of young citizens from the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood regions and the Western Balkans. As an innovative contribution to the European Year of Skills, #MySkills4You sheds light on the importance of investing in skills in these regions.
In collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), the initiative works with the networks of Young European Ambassadors and EU Jeel Connectors from EU Neighbours South, East, and the Western Balkans.
Your voice matters in this global conversation about skills. Join us on our social media channels and share your views on this important topic. Help us shape skills for the future! Participate in #MySkills4You and make your voice heard! Let's work together on skills!
Tamara Stojković, SerbiaSkills: Resilience and negotiation
Tamara, the co-founder of Community for Change, an environmental youth organisation, believes her mentorship at WWF was key in developing her perseverance. Today, she is a committed environmental advocate and shows a deep-seated determination to overcome challenges.
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Nataliia Balitska, UkraineSkills: Self-improvement, adaptability and proactivity
As Nataliia navigates the path of a dedicated student, aspiring civil servant, Young European Ambassador, and project manager for the Women's League NGO, these skills are the guiding stars that light her way.
Amid challenging times, Nataliia's personal commitment to these skills reflects the resilient spirit of her native Ukraine, where the strength of its people shines through as they continue to work, study, and develop, embodying a collective determination to forge a better future against all odds.
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Igor Čulafić, MontenegroSkills: Creative IT skills
Igor's journey has been one of technical ability and creativity. From a bachelor's in electrical engineering to a master's in artificial intelligence, Igor's workshop is a hub of innovation. His projects demonstrate the importance of creative IT skills and teach essential life skills.
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Abdallah Emad, EgyptSkills: Public speaking, project management, leadership, and teamwork
Abdallah, a civil engineer from Banha, has transformed from a shy individual into a global changemaker, sharing his journey of personal growth. His diverse skill set has been honed through his role as a climate activist and as the founder of Egypt's first Local Youth Conference.
Abdallah's narrative resonates with Egypt's commitment to empowering its youth, illustrating the transformative impact of merging personal passion with skills development to foster positive societal change.
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Silvana Farruku, AlbaniaSkills: Research and transferring knowledge
Silvana utilises her research and knowledge transfer skills to unravel questions and make ideas accessible. Her passion for words, refined through linguistic studies, aligns with her broader mission. Living abroad has enriched her with empathy and emotional intelligence.
Driven by her Albanian roots, Silvana is committed to spreading skills opportunities across the country. She envisions a future for Albania where international experience brings back valuable skills, bridging global perspectives with local development.
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Daniela Plămădeală & Valeria Cabac, MoldovaSkills: Project management, programming languages, and critical thinking
Daniela and Valeria, both 19 and immersed in data science studies, believe in a holistic approach to education. With diverse skills and meticulous attention to detail, they are well positioned for success.
Moldova's multilingual talent pool is proving to be a key strength, making the country an attractive hub for effortless cross-border communication and collaboration. Looking ahead, Daniela and Valeria are eager to continue developing and strengthening their skills along this promising path.
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Sophie Abrahamyan, ArmeniaSkills: Public speaking
A passionate public speaker, Sophie shares her insights in engaging presentations at Brusov State University in Armenia.
Beyond confidence in expression, she emphasises the crucial role of emotional control in interpersonal communication between Armenians. This nuanced approach reflects Sofi's commitment to promoting balanced and effective dialogue within her community.
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Nargiz Aliyeva, AzerbaijanSkills: Leadership and management, together with STEM skills
Nargiz, an enthusiastic student from Baku, is passionate about rocket science. Her adept leadership and STEM skills take centre stage at the International Astronautical Congress, where she represents a dynamic satellite team.
Despite Azerbaijan's efforts in skills development, Nargiz advocates for an increased focus on STEM, with a particular emphasis on the inclusion of women. Her vision for the future is clear – a continuous journey of learning to make a significant contribution to a brighter, more innovative future.
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Mariam Kestbaia, GeorgiaSkills: Effective communication and teamwork
Mariam, a student of International Law at Tbilisi State University, believes that the ability to communicate effectively and to work in a team are essential skills in today's world. In her opinion, effective communication serves as a cornerstone for articulating viewpoints and arguments with clarity and precision.
Mariam stresses the importance of strengthening these communication and teamwork skills within the Georgian community. In tackling global challenges, she emphasises the urgent need to combat disinformation within her country.
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Victoria Arakelyan, GeorgiaSkills: Multilingualism and entrepreneurship
Victoria is a driven entrepreneur from Georgia. Her passion for entrepreneurship was sparked by her remarkable language skills - she is fluent in five languages, which opens up many avenues of opportunity. Victoria's language skills not only allow her to navigate different cultures and communities, but also inspired her to create 'I-can', an innovative online language school. Through this venture, she empowers others to embrace multilingualism, fostering connections and broadening horizons. In Georgia, Victoria recognises the importance of accessibility, especially in remote mountainous regions. She envisions a future where language opportunities are inclusive and accessible to all, driving economic growth and cultural exchange.
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Liza Adamska, UkraineSkills: Diplomacy
Liza, a driven 25-year-old from Ukraine now based in Hong Kong, firmly believes that diplomacy is the key to tackling complex global challenges and promoting peaceful solutions. Liza is dedicated to mastering the art of diplomacy, recognising its profound impact in navigating different cultures and perspectives. She sees diplomacy as a transformative skill that can drive meaningful change towards a more peaceful and collaborative future, while fostering cooperation between people. In her quest, Liza aims to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to her home country of Ukraine, advocating innovative approaches to tackling pressing issues and promoting harmony.
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Gresa Boshtraj, KosovoSkills: Entrepreneurship and Proactivity
Gresa is a dynamic influencer, entrepreneur and digital content creator based in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Gresa's decision to pursue entrepreneurship and influencer marketing stemmed from her desire to forge her own path and inspire others to embrace digital opportunities. Gresa sees immense potential in Kosovo, particularly in technology, the arts and sport. However, she recognises the importance of addressing challenges and promoting skills, especially in rural areas. Gresa is committed to uniting younger generations to focus on skills development and community growth. She believes that a collective effort to educate and empower Kosovo's youth will ultimately drive progress and opportunity in the country.
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Mohammad El-Draihi, LebanonSkills: Communication and Innovation
Meet Mohammad, a passionate content creator and tour operator based in Tripoli, Lebanon's vibrant second city. Mohammad believes in the untapped potential of Lebanon's tourism industry, driven by the exceptional communication skills and knowledge of its people. For Mohammad, Lebanon's greatest tourism asset is its people - their innate ability to connect with visitors and provide exceptional service. He envisions a future in which Lebanon embraces adventure tourism, gamifies historical sites and promotes creative initiatives in rural areas to enhance the visitor experience. He advocates skills development initiatives that empower locals to innovate and showcase Lebanon's rich cultural heritage to the world.
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Selma Teskeredžić, Bosnia and HerzegovinaSkills: Arts and Diplomacy
Selma is a passionate classical pianist and youth education ambassador from Bosnia and Herzegovina. She excels at bringing people together through the power of art, using her talent for classical piano. For Selma, Bosnia's greatest strength lies in its ability to foster creativity and collaboration. She envisions a future where Bosnia's rich cultural heritage serves as a bridge for diplomatic relations, promoting understanding and unity on a global scale. Selma is an advocate for initiatives that seek to further develop skills, particularly in effective communication and detail-oriented work, which she believes are essential to building a better future for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Walaa Farid, EgyptSkills: Networking and Leadership
Walaa is a dedicated history teacher and EU Jeel Connector based in Egypt. Walaa is passionate about opening doors to mobility programmes and opportunities for youth, using a rich set of skills acquired throughout her educational and professional journey. Walaa's journey towards skills development began during her university years, where she honed essential skills that propelled her into the world of international experiences. Her defining moment came with an Erasmus+ virtual exchange, a transformative three-month opportunity that broadened her horizons. Since then, Walaa has continued to develop her skills by participating in various mobility programmes and working with organisations such as the Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development and Cultural Exchange.
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Nour Fayyad, LebanonSkills: Media literacy and Advocacy
Nour is a passionate advocate for media literacy and responsible use of social media from Lebanon. From a young age, Nour's love of performing evolved into a passion for media and news. Recognising the critical importance of media literacy in today's digital age, Nour has taken action to address issues such as fake news, media manipulation, sextortion and cyberbullying through a thoughtful awareness campaign. Nour acknowledges the progress that has been made in Lebanon to protect citizens' rights through legislation. However, she believes there is still much to be done to educate young people about the proper use of social media and the potential dangers of the cyber world. Her initiative highlights the importance of equipping young people with the skills to navigate and critically evaluate digital content. Her campaign promotes responsible online behaviour and the protection of an individual's reputation and well-being.
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