Young People and the Belt and Road―Opportunities and Challenges in Central and Eastern Europe

Young People and the Belt and Road is a joint effort by over 40 young people across 20 countries to tell their stories about the future of Central and Eastern Europe, China, and the Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative, which envisions a world with better development, better connectivity, and better cooperation was launched in Kazakhstan,. As a global, multi-generational vision, the Belt and Road Initiative will primarily benefit the young people of the world today. To ensure the success of the Initiative, their voices need to be heard. This is particularly urgent as little systematic work has been done to encourage the participation of young people. This publication places the focus on young people and asks them the question: what should the Belt and Road Initiative look like for you? 

In this book, young authors from 16 Central and Eastern European nations share insights about their countries. For the Belt and Road Initiative, Central and Eastern Europe plays a critical role in linking together Western Europe, Northern Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia. Each chapter focuses on a single country in the region. Based on the complex historical background and present realities of their respective countries, the authors present their cases of the potential obstacles and opportunities related to the Initiative and provide their suggestions for change.

《青年與一帶一路》一書是由超過20個國家、40位年輕人共同努力的成果。他們討論中國及16個中東歐國家在一帶一路倡議的機遇與挑戰。由於這是中文讀本較少涉及的領域，而且都是所屬國家的年輕人執筆，所以彌足珍貴。事實上，這些國家在聯繫歐洲及亞洲方面，都扮演著關鍵的角色。他們大都是上世紀90年代以後，由前蘇聯加盟共和國獨立，之後大部分成為歐盟及北約一員，而每個國家都有著複雜悠久的歷史、獨特的自然及人文資源，以及不同程度的發展。

Young Belt and Road International is a Hong Kong-based NGO founded and directed by young people. Our members include young people with diverse academic backgrounds from all across the world. In 2017, we launched a publication project about youth development that culminated in this book. Since then, we have also co-hosted annual youth conferences that focus on the Belt and Road Initiative. By creating an open, intellectual network, we aim to find solutions for the greatest challenges of our time. For more information, please visit youngbnr.org.

Preface

1 Introduction: On the Role of Central and Eastern Europe in the Belt and Road Initiative

1 The Belt and Road Initiative

2 ‘Central and Eastern Europe’

3 Prospects for Cooperation in the CEE

4 Current Obstacles and Suggestions

2 Albania

1 The Politics of Albania

2 An Overview of the Challenges and Opportunities for Young People in Albania

3 Evaluate the Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative

4 Suggestions on Improving the Belt and Road Initiative in Albania

3 Bosnia & Herzegovina

1 The Politics of Bosnia & Herzegovina

2 A Brief Overview of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Political Future

3 An Overview of the Challenges and Opportunities for the Youth in Bosnia & Herzegovina

4 The Belt and Road Initiative and its Opportunities for Young People in Bosnia & Herzegovina

5 The Importance of the Belt and Road Initiative to Bosnia & Herzegovina

4 Bulgaria

1 Historical Overview and Implications

2 Political and Economic Trends of Bulgaria

3 An Overview of the Existing Opportunities for Bulgarian Youth

4 Advantages and Challenges of Bulgaria in the Belt and Road Initiative: A Discussion Based on Interviews with Bulgarians

Appendixes

5 Croatia

1 Overview of the Political Structure

2 Croatia’s Political Direction

3 Opportunities and Challenges for Young People in Croatia

4 Croatia and the Belt and Road Initiative

5 Toward a Successful Belt and Road Initiative

Appendix: Questionnaire Form

6 Czech Republic

1 Overview of the Political Structure of the Czech Republic

2 The Political Direction of the Czech Republic

3 Evaluation of the Current Opportunities and Challenges Faced by Young People in the Czech Republic

4 Evaluation of the Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative

5 Suggestions and Alternatives for the Belt and Road Initiative

7 Estonia

1 Political Structure of Estonia

2 Political Direction of Estonia

3 Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Estonian Youth

4 The Belt and Road Initiative – Opportunities for Estonia

5 Estonian Youth and the Belt and Road

8 Hungary

1 Overview of the Political Structure of Hungary

2 The Future Political Direction of Hungary: With Special Regard to the Economic Programmes of Parties Running in the Parliamentary Elections of 2018

3 The Current Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Young People in Hungary

4 Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative to Hungary

5 The Belt and Road Initiative in Relation to Young People in Hungary

9 Latvia

1 Overview of the Political Structure of Latvia

2 The Political Direction of Latvia

3 Evaluating the Existing Opportunities and Challenges Faced by Young People in Latvia

4 The Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative to Latvia

5 Suggestions for the Belt and Road Initiative

10 Lithuania

1 The Domestic Politics and Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

2 The Future of Politics in Lithuania: Elections and National Projects

3 Lithuanian Youth: Opportunities and Challenges

4 The Belt and Road Initiative in Lithuania

5 Future of the Belt and Road Initiative in Lithuania: A Case for the Youth

6 Conclusion

11 North Macedonia

1 Overview of North Macedonia’s Political Situation

2 What’s Next for North Macedonia?

3 Opportunities for Youth in North Macedonia

4 ‘I move, Therefore I am.’ -- Haruki Murakami, 1Q84

5 What Could the Belt and Road Initiative Focus on in the Future?

12 Montenegro

1 The Political Structure of Montenegro

2 Political Direction of Montenegro

3 Opportunities and Challenges Faced by Young People in Montenegro

4 Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative

5 Suggestions for the Belt and Road Initiative in Relation to the Young People of Montenegro

13 Poland

1 Political Overview of Poland

2 Modern Reforms and the Foreseeable Direction of Polish Politics

3 Current Opportunities and Challenges for Polish Youth

4 Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative

5 Suggestions for Improving Sino-Polish Cooperation Under the BRI

14 Romania

1 Overview of the Political Structure of Romania

2 The Political Direction of Romania

3 Opportunities and Challenges Faced by the Romanian Youth

4 Evaluation of the Challenges and Opportunities Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative in Romania

5 Suggestions for the Belt and Road Initiative and Improving Relations with the Chinese Youth

15 Serbia

1 Overview of the Political Structure of Serbia

2 The Political Direction of the Country

3 Challenges and Opportunities Faced by Young People in Serbia

4 Serbia in 16+1 Cooperation

5 Serbian Youth and the Belt and Road Initiative

16 Slovakia

1 The Brief History of Slovakia

2 Political, Economic and Social Reforms in Slovakia

3 Opportunities and Challenges Faced by Young People in Slovakia

4 Opportunities and Challenges Offered by the Belt and Road Initiative

5 Suggestions for the Belt and Road Initiative

17 Slovenia

1 Political Structure of Slovenia: An Overview

2 Political Direction of Slovenia

3 Opportunities and Challenges for the Youth in Slovenia

4 Challenges and Solutions for the Belt and Road Initiative in Slovenia