RAN YOUNG Platform - Tools for youth to navigate the impact of geopolitical developments, Zagreb 02-03 May 2024

On 2 and 3 May, RAN YOUNG convened a two-day meeting in Zagreb, Croatia to explore how young people in the EU are affected by global challenges, like war and international conflicts. The meeting gathered 19 young professionals who are working as practitioners, policymakers and academics in 10 EU Member States. Together, they explored this challenging topic, and considered the actions that could be taken around the EU, to mitigate the impacts of these conflicts within their communities. The current geopolitical developments impact individuals in many different ways. This meeting focused on four specific challenges that young people may face in dealing with the (indirect) impact of wars and international conflicts. These included: 

• Polarisation: how do you engage in delicate and polarising topics without exacerbating harmful polarisation? 
• Hate speech: what can young people do when they encounter hate speech online? 
• Hate crime: what can young people do when they witness or experience hate crimes? 
• Mental health: how can young people stay engaged and informed on international affairs and work to support causes they believe in, without becoming overwhelmed, burnt out or disheartened? 

Participants worked in four groups, each focused on one of these topics. They explored how global crisis influences local issues across the EU and what young people can do to enhance their own resilience and help their peers traverse these challenging times. As part of their preparation, each group met with a practitioner from a relevant RAN working group. Then, each group presented their findings and worked closely with the others to develop guidance for young people who have witnessed the impacts of successive global crises and need support in navigating them. The following conclusion paper summarises the outcomes of the RAN YOUNG meeting as well as the subsequent guidance proposed.