2020 opens a new decade of global challenges and instability. However, in the commemorative year of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations the global community is eager to find new formats of cooperation to shift the focus from confrontational engagement towards creative and sustainable joint development. In addition, young leaders and entrepreneurs are playing an active role in this process, developing local innovative solutions to critical problems in all areas of human development . In other hand, specific projects and best practices related to social entrepreneurship, education, technology, sustainable cities and the promotion of the UN SDGs will be presented at the session.

Our CEO Dejan Ilioski represented Europe and Macedonia at the International Volunteer Forum in Sochi 2019, where more than 6,000volunteers from all countries of the world participated in the event.

“Truly honored to share the platform with people that I admire greatly and to talk about SDGs and our Future Team’s goals. They will all change the world for the better! “Making a change to the world” is not as difficult as it may sound. Even a little good deed contributes significantly.

Representatives of all regions chose SDG 4 Quality Education as the most relevant goal of the volunteer projects back home. Special attention was paid to the importance of non-formal learning.

It had also been quite beautiful to be invited to the annual ‘’Volunteer of Russia 2019″ ceremony, awarded personally by President Vladimir Putin.” It was beautiful seeing the pride of the community they build together.

We hope this international exchange will further lead to impactful projects and initiatives. It also helped us to realize that despite major differences countries in all parts of the globe has to address the same challenges.

“Leaving no one behind”

“The cross-sectoral approach combined with transnational cooperation is the key for new economic drivers, new business niches, value added chains.” – said the President of the European Youth Association.

SPIEF 2019 was convened under the theme ‘Creating a Sustainable Development Agenda’. The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is a unique event in the world of business and economics. SPIEF 2019 was attended by more than 19,000 people from 145 countries. The largest business delegation were China, USA, Germany, United Kingdom and France. Guests from every continent, and representatives from international organizations such as the UN, IMF, OPEC and others spoke ever more profusely on the need to operate in a single economic space and find new areas of common ground in a changing world.

“GLOBAL CHALLENGES REQUIRE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS” – said the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr Antonio Guterres

‘Friends for Leadership‘

Over a few days at the SPIEF, the programme participants held a series of sessions as part of the main Forum programme as well as the Building Trust platform: ‘Young Leaders in an Era of Global Transformation, ‘Cooperation for Sustainable Development’, ‘Friends of Social Entrepreneurship’, ‘Friends of Technologies’, ‘Friends of Education’, ‘Friends of Cities’, and ‘Friends of Sustainable Development’. It has been a fantastic and inspiring time at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum with young leaders all over the world! Positive disruption is happening and youth from different parts of the world is playing a key role on working towards a more sustainable planet. We much appreciate each fruitful discussion and space to discuss coming projects and mutual collaboration – said CEO of the the European Youth Association Dejan Ilioski