We speak with Liljana Hristovska – Brewing Technology Production Supervisor, who was recently selected to participate in the global One Young World conference, together with thousands of delegates from around the world. She describes the experience as a significant personal and professional moment, which enabled her to connect with other young leaders, exchange ideas, and learn from renowned speakers and activists.

Key topics at the conference included gender equality, inclusion, peace, access to education and healthcare for all, as well as the ethical use of artificial intelligence. These topics resonated strongly with Liljana, inspiring her to bring new perspectives and positive changes to her working environment.

How do you feel about being selected to be part of One Young World what does this experience mean to you personally and professionally, and can you briefly tell us about the importance of this conference?

When I received the information that I had been selected to be part of One Young World, and that I would be one of a total of 2,200 delegates from more than 190 countries worldwide, I felt immense honor and satisfaction, as well as gratitude for the opportunity.

For me personally, this is a confirmation that my effort and dedication have been recognized, and professionally, One Young World enabled me to connect with young leaders from all over the world, each with their own unique culture and story, but all with the same mission: to turn ideas into reality for a better tomorrow, to believe in ourselves. This experience strongly motivates and inspires me to think globally and contribute locally, even if that sometimes means small steps. Every idea has potential if we give it a chance to come to life.

In fact, One Young World is a global and unique platform that brings together the most influential young leaders to exchange ideas on the greatest challenges of our time. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to hear inspiring speeches, success stories, and different perspectives from world leaders, business leaders, activists, humanitarians, innovators, and entrepreneurs from all industries. But One Young World is not just an event, because all delegates became OYW ambassadors with lifelong membership in the global community and a mission to turn ideas into real impact.

Which moment from the conference left the biggest impression on you, and why?
It is truly difficult to single out one moment from such an event. But I will try:

– First, the opportunity to create connections and the energy of unity reminded me how powerful collective energy is and how each of us can contribute to positive change. Especially impressive was the moment at the closing ceremony when all participants wrote a message on a string, and then we connected all our messages into one large ball as a symbol of shared strength. It was an emotional moment because the messages circulated among everyone through song.

– Second, I would highlight the opportunity to take part in interactive workshops on different topics, each within our own area of interest, to share ideas, hear other perspectives and good practices, and to ask questions.

– I would conclude with the inspiring speech by Maria Ressa (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), who called for radical collaboration, repeating: Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!, sharing a message to all of us young leaders and enthusiasts to choose courage over comfort, facts over assumptions, and hope over fear. Hope comes with action. Choose what is right, not what is easier.
Information integrity is the mother of all battles; we win that, we win everything, we lose that we lose everything.

Do you have an inspiring story or person you met there who motivated you?
I would highlight the story of Jakub Gietka from Poland, a young OYW ambassador who was nominated for the AstraZeneca Lead2030 award supported by the AstraZeneca Young Health Programme. This award is intended for young global leaders who create innovative solutions for health and life challenges under the slogan “Young People at the Heart of Health.” Why did he receive the award? Jakub is a young founder of the “Aiming for the Future” foundation dedicated to the inclusion of people with disabilities and access to education, inspired by his own life story and his struggle for financial literacy as a person with spinal muscular dystrophy. He shared that his goal is simple: to use his own journey and speak openly in order to build platforms and solutions that will make life easier for the next families, so that no one will have to start from zero like his family did. His inspiring story carries strong messages of perseverance, inclusion, and leadership. He said: If you yourself do not believe enough in your idea, do not expect someone else to believe more than you.

Which topics affected you the most and how do you think you can transfer them into your everyday work?
I must admit it was fascinating how wide a range of topics was covered, in order to present all the challenges the world is facing. Mainly, the greatest impression on me was left by the topics of gender equality and inclusion, the fight for peace, security, and access to education and healthcare services for everyone in the world. I would highlight the incredible energy and powerful speech by Terry Crews on gender equality and toxic masculinity, sharing his personal experience. He encouraged a high level of emotional maturity in men and women equally, breaking down dogmas and frequent self-reflection. He captured the need for gender equality so well that the applause did not stop.

The most common topic that was part of almost every speech was AI (artificial intelligence), with messages about its ethical use, adaptation, and putting an end to the question of whether AI can replace jobs, because the real question is how we will develop our skills, mindset, and digital literacy to make artificial intelligence work for us, rather than replace us. A large number of examples were shared of how AI is a relevant tool for vulnerable groups. This really broadened my perspective on the era of digitalization we live in and the importance of integrating it into everyday life as soon as possible.

What did you learn about yourself as a young leader through this experience?
As a young leader, I learned that true leadership is not a position, but a way of thinking, and that it starts long before we feel “ready.” I learned that my true strength is not in always having the answer to every question, but in the ability to actively listen, learn, and create a space where good collaboration and shared energy for change are the main superpower. I discovered that my voice has more impact than I had believed, and that small steps, when guided by sincere intention, can bring real change. And finally, the connections we build are the true power.

Which values of One Young World align the most with the values of our company?
The values of the One Young World community and the values of our company are deeply aligned. Both organizations emphasize sustainability, the development of young talent, and nurturing an inclusive culture, and that is exactly what makes them successful in developing leaders who create lasting and sustainable change.

OYW strongly emphasizes collaboration and collective strength as drivers of global change, which is in full harmony with our company value “We before I.” The greatest change is achieved when we build connections, listen to different perspectives, and work together toward a common goal.

If you had to highlight one lesson that all young professionals should hear what would it be?
From my experience so far, I would say: never stop learning and adapting. The world is changing faster than ever, and our greatest advantage is the ability to develop new skills. Seize every opportunity that means a new field of knowledge, a challenge, a new possibility to step out of your comfort zone and build new connections. Do not be afraid to share your idea speak loudly about opportunities for improvement, because change starts with each of us, every day. And most importantly, ask yourself the question WHY very often, and seek answers.

How will this experience influence your further professional and personal development?
One of the greatest benefits of participating in the OYW Summit is that all delegates became OYW ambassadors and part of the big OYW community family, which means a unique opportunity to build a global perspective, gain access to cultural diversity, global challenges, and innovative solutions. The event itself was a call for action and collaboration. The platform offers opportunities for continuous learning such as workshops, programs, and participation in global events, and I am strongly motivated to share the experiences and new ideas within our company.

Connecting with ambassadors from different countries and different fields, beyond my area of expertise, allows me to learn new perspectives. I believe that through active networking and learning, I can strengthen my self-confidence and contribute to positive changes.

What would you like to share with your colleagues what would you like them to learn or feel through your story?
I would like my colleagues to feel what the OYW experience gave me the opportunity to feel: that each of us has the power to contribute to positive change, even through small steps every single day. The inspiring speeches by global leaders and activists, Nobel Prize laureates, inspired me to believe that our ideas and actions can make a difference, and that together we can build a culture of innovation, inclusion, and sustainability.

What is your next step how do you plan to use what you learned to contribute to positive change in our organization and the community?
Next, I will strive to discover and explore all the opportunities offered by the OYW platform and to be active in the group of ambassadors from our region, where events and future activities are shared. After that, my plan is to organize an interactive session with a panel group of colleagues, sharing my experience and motivating an increase in the number of OYW ambassadors under the umbrella of Coca-Cola HBC. In this way, we will strengthen the opportunity for collaboration and use the potential of such platforms to grow, learn, and influence positive change.