Majority of university students in five countries are positive about joining the EU, aware of risks posed by populist parties and persuaded that the EU plays a positive role in the political and economic development of their countries

Rastislav ValentovicDiscussions, Unfiled

In accordance with a survey, undertaken in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovakia in December 2016, university students want their countries to remain or to join the European Union (67%). They also believe that the rise of populist parties is a direct threat to EU integration and cooperation (61%) and are persuaded that the EU plays a positive role in the political and economic development of their countries (59%). The students also expressed their views on the consequences of Brexit, lessons of 2016 migration crisis, EU- US cooperation, security and prosperity provided by NATO, roles played by the EU, US, NATO, Russia and Germany in the political and economic development of their countries, attraction of EU/NATO and Russia. They also responded to questions about completion of their studies abroad and their jobs ambitions after graduation.
Altogether, 1753 students from seven universities located in five countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovakia) were surveyed. The survey is a part of a University Students Debates’ project aimed at promoting universal values and principles through independent and critical thinking. The project is implemented jointly by MESA10 (Slovakia) and CEAS (Serbia). For more information, please contact MESA10 at: info@mesa10.org or CEAS at: office@ceas.org.

Q: Do you want your country to remain or to become a member of the European Union?

Q: Do you want your country to remain or to become a member of the European Union?

Q: We see the rise of extreme, euro-sceptic, and populist parties and political leaders across the EU. Do you believe that this is a direct threat to EU cooperation and integration?

Q: We see the rise of extreme, euro-sceptic, and populist parties and political leaders across the EU. Do you believe that this is a direct threat to EU cooperation and integration?

Q: In the political and economic development of your country, the EU plays:

Q: In the political and economic development of your country, the EU plays:

Q: EU and NATO countries are attractive to you because of their:

Q: EU and NATO countries are attractive to you because of their:

Q: Russia is attractive to you because of its:

Q: Russia is attractive to you because of its:

Q: The most prosperous and efficient European cooperation project is represented by:

Q: The most prosperous and efficient European cooperation project is represented by:

Q: Security provided and prosperity protected by NATO is useful:

Q: Security provided and prosperity protected by NATO is useful:

Q: Do you believe that the most important lesson of the last year’s migration crisis in the EU is:

Q: Do you believe that the most important lesson of the last year’s migration crisis in the EU is:

Q: If you had a scholarship or could pay for your education, where would you like to complete your studies?

Q: If you had a scholarship or could pay for your education, where would you like to complete your studies?

Q: Where would you like to get a job after graduation?

Q: Where would you like to get a job after graduation?