My research on the political participation of youth aims to elucidate why and how young people are still perceived as apolitical within different political institutions and spaces, leading to the exclusion of their voices from decision-making processes that significantly impact their lives. In addition, this research agenda helps me highlight how, within the field of Political Sciences and International Relations, conventional definitions and understandings of politics, of what qualifies as politically significant and who the relevant political subjects are, habitually fall short. This shortcoming, however, has negative consequences for what we know about youth, as it hampers our ability to comprehensively explore the diverse range of creative practices that young people engage in alongside their involvement in traditional political channels.
What is Youth Political Participation for Ajda?
I am currently employed as a researcher and assistant at the Centre and Chair of International Relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. In this role, I co-teach classes related to international and European human rights systems, international institutions, global politics, and contemporary issues within international society. My research overlaps interdisciplinary studies in human rights, youth studies, and International Relations. Specifically, my doctoral project aims to enhance our understanding of the relevance of social and political practices to the contemporary rise of youth in the international system of human rights protection. In the past four years, I have actively participated as a researcher and mentor in several projects. I also engage in co-organization of conferences and workshops, mainly targeted towards early career scholars from the Central and East Europe, and currently hold the position of Managing Editor for the Journal of International Relations and Development.
Personality Ajda admires most:
I find inspiration in important work done by activists, journalists and writers, who unwaveringly uphold their ideals in times of peace and conflict.
Among many, I would, however, like to highlight Motaz Azaiza, Saleh Al Jafarawi, Bisan Owda, Saleh Aljafarawi, Noor Harazeen, and Plestia Alaquad for their remarkable bravery, strength and impactful journalist work.
Unconventional fact about Ajda
“I am a big fan of winter and snow in particular, and even used to work as a ski instructor during high school and undergraduate studies”.
Work already published:
Jerkič, T., Pondrk, E, Vižintin, V. Hedžet, A., Rihtar, E., Oktay, B., Yohannes, S. (2021). Kratki zapisi dolgih poti. Long Journeys in Short Records. Ljubljana: Rdeči križ Slovenije.
Hedžet, A. (2023). Human Rights at a Critical Juncture or on the Way to a Bright Future? Critical Analysis of Contemporary International Relations Scholarship on Human Rights. In M. Hočevar, T. Rutar and M. Lovec (eds.),The Neoliberal World Order In Crisis, And Beyond, 359—390. Faculty of Social Sciences, Ljubljana.
Get to know Ajda
