Ohrid, 11 August 2026 (MIA) -- If we want to shape the future, we need to include young people into social policy-making processes now, according to President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova at the "Peer Violence and Vandalism: Young People, Schools and the Digital Space" discussion held earlier Tuesday at the presidential Vila Biljana in Ohrid.

At the discussion, held to mark International Youth Day, Siljanovska Davkova said violent movies and digital media had changed people's perception of violence.

"When you legitimize violence, don't be puzzled by anything," the president said. "When you are bombarded in movies, images, videos, photos online, you may think, 'Are we living in a war of the worlds, perhaps?' Of course this has an impact on reality."

The president said young people should be given an active role in society right now instead of repeating platitudes like "the future belongs to youth."

"Seize the present if you want to shape the future," she said. She added that young people should be included in decision-making processes "at all levels," from their schools all the way through Parliament.

To prevent bullying, Siljanovska Davkova highlighted the importance of socializing in person instead of mostly using digital media to communicate. She also said people underestimated verbal violence such as insults, belittling and intolerance.

According to the president, to prevent bullying, the education system as well as the media, including music and movies, should be encouraging young people to love and respect each other.

Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska also spoke at event, which was organized at the initiative of the president's youth advisory council. Discussion topics included ways of preventing peer violence in schools as well as potential policies that restrict or regulate social media use by young people. mr/