International Winter University in Skopje Brings Together Over 70 Delegates from Across Europe

From 26 to 29 March 2026, the International Winter University titled “Youth Vision 2030 – Western Balkans, Stability & AI in Education” took place in Skopje, gathering more than 70 delegates from across Europe.

The event brought together high-level speakers and participants for discussions on key political and economic challenges shaping Europe’s future. Throughout the programme, participants engaged in panels on security and stability, EU enlargement and geopolitics, fiscal policy and economic growth, as well as energy security and the green transition .

A highlight of the programme was the visit to the President of North Macedonia, H.E. Prof. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, where delegates had the opportunity to engage in an insightful discussion on international law, global challenges, the importance of dialogue, and the responsibility of political leadership.

On Saturday, the programme opened with a session led by the Minister of Energy, Mining and Minerals, Sanja Bozhinovska, who presented the importance of energy security and measures to reduce market turbulence.

Later that day, participants also had the opportunity to exchange views with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on the transformative role of artificial intelligence and the new technological revolution shaping Europe’s future.

On 28 March, EDS held its Council Meeting, where several key decisions were adopted. The Council approved the Financial Report for 2025, the Audit Report for 2025, and the updated Budget for 2026. In addition, more than 10 motions on various topics were adopted, prepared within the EDS Working Groups, as well as one urgent motion addressing the war in Ukraine. Bureau members presented their activity reports covering the period from the Council Meeting in Podgorica to Skopje.

Most notably, EDS welcomed four new member organisations into its family:

• Nowa Generacja (Poland) – Full Member
• Christian Democratic Student Association (KSF) Sweden – Full Member
• Slovenska demokratska mladina (SDM) Slovenia – Full Member
• Juventude Popular – Observer Member

The Council also adopted amendments to the Statutes and established a dedicated committee, chaired by EDS Chairman Francesco Sismondini, to align EDS Statutes with the latest European Parliament and EPP rules. Each member organisation will be able to delegate one representative to this committee, which is expected to present proposed amendments by the Summer University in Poland.

Additionally, the latest issue of the BullsEye Magazine was presented and is now available to read online.

EDS would like to express its sincere gratitude to the organisers, Youth Forces Union of VMRO-DPMNE and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. Foundation Office North Macedonia for their excellent hospitality and for delivering a high-level and impactful event.

_{Disclaimer: This document received financial support from the European Parliament. Sole liability rests with the author. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.}

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