I was honored to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the ALFORUM 2025! As a Master’s student in data science and artificial intelligence, I spoke about how AI and digital tools can be leveraged for peacebuilding. It was inspiring to connect with participants from 43 different countries. Here is an overview of the sessions I participated in, what I learned from them, and how I can use this knowledge in the future.

Outreach and Advocacy Techniques on Policy-Relevant Issues

This session dealt with topics of; Dialogue as a tool for actionable change in the Euro-Mediterranean region; bridging policy gaps through youth engagement; amplifying youth voices in policy discussions; innovative strategies for advocacy and outreach; and from knowledge to action: redefining dialogue for impact.

Take-Home Messages

The power of dialogue is essential to shape real, actionable change across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Engaging young leaders from diverse countries enriches policy advocacy with fresh perspectives and commitment.

Innovative outreach and advocacy techniques can effectively bridge gaps between knowledge and policy action.

Youth voices must be amplified to ensure their role in decision-making processes and regional development.

Transforming ideas into impact requires continuous dialogue and collaborative strategies.

Greener Together: Taking Youth Participation in Sustainable Climate Policy to the Next Level

This session dealt with topics of; youth participation in sustainable climate policy; climate justice and equity in the Euro-Mediterranean region; inclusive governance and civil society engagement; institutionalizing youth leadership; and community resilience through decentralization and green jobs. While focusing on these topics, the session highlighted the urgent need to move beyond tokenistic involvement toward sustained, institutionalized youth leadership, particularly in the Southern Mediterranean where climate change worsens existing vulnerabilities.

Knowledge it gave me

Emphasis was placed on supporting youth-led research and bottom-up vulnerability assessments to better understand local challenges. Advancing decentralization and strengthening local governance emerged as crucial strategies to enhance community resilience. Promoting green jobs and inclusive transition strategies was recognized as essential for a just climate future. Finally, embedding youth participation in all stages of climate policy—from design to monitoring—was underscored as vital to achieving meaningful and equitable climate action.

Tech for Good: Exploring the nexus between Innovation, Inclusion, and Digital Citizenship

This was an interesting panel debate session concerning AI and digital transformation in society; AI governance models globally; capacity building for responsible innovation in Euro-Med countries; interdisciplinary integration in STEM education; as well as mainstreaming AI literacy across sectors. The panel underscored the growing divergence in AI governance models worldwide and highlighted the need for Euro-Mediterranean countries to build capacity for responsible innovation. It emphasized the critical role of interdisciplinary approaches in STEM education to prepare future generations effectively.

Knowledge it gave me

It is essential to mainstream AI literacy across all sectors to ensure inclusive and informed digital citizenship. Recognizing AI as a foundational pillar of the Forum reinforced the urgency to broaden conversations about its societal impacts, risks, and opportunities.

Youth Economic Empowerment: Financial and Legal Skills for Action in the Mediterranean

In this session, I learned more about; youth economic empowerment in the Mediterranean region; financial and legal skills development; youth engagement in participatory dialogues and decision-making; and regional collaboration among youth civil society leaders.

Knowledge it gave me

The session emphasized the importance of equipping youth with financial and legal skills to empower them economically across the Mediterranean region. Engaging with fellow youth civil society leaders from Morocco to Lebanon highlighted the vital role of youth participation in dialogue and decision-making processes. Such collaborative conversations foster hope and energy for meaningful regional impact. The experience underscored the value of platforms like the Anna Lindh Foundation in facilitating knowledge sharing and youth-led action.

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Amina (July, 2025)