The Challenge Conference of the Young Bled Strategic Forum (Young BSF) started yesterday in Ljubljana, bringing together some 50 participants from across the world to identify some of the main challenges faced by the youth today.

On Thursday and Friday participants are defining the challenges in discussions dedicated to some of the most significant global changes that have seen a shift in power from governments and media corporations to individuals and groups of individuals. The seven panels are focused on unemployment and the future of the youth in the EU, digital revolution and its effect on politics, as well as the many new and innovative approaches of doing business.

The conference, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for European Perspective, will host several high-level guests who will contribute to the debates - which are held at the Ljubljana City Hall - among them Slovenian Labour Minister Anja Kopač Mrak, who will take part in the debate dedicated to youth unemployment in the EU.

Young BSF participants will attend a business breakfast addressed by His Royal Highness, the Earl of Wessex, on Friday morning.

The two-day conference is only the first stage of this year's Young BSF held as part of the annual Bled Strategic Forum, the biggest international event in Slovenia.
Over the summer, the participants will share and debate ideas on-line, only to meet again in the lake-side resort of Bled on 1 September 2013, a day before the opening of this year's Bled Strategic Forum.