President: Matic Kosirnik (2025–today)
Matic Kosirnik serves as President of the Youth Section of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia (YATA Slovenia), leading the section’s Executive Board and guiding its strategic vision, programmes, and projects. He holds a BA in Defence Studies and is currently pursuing an MA in Defence and Security Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana. His academic background was further strengthened during an exchange programme at the War Studies University in Warsaw, where he focused on contemporary security challenges and strategic studies.
Matic’s key areas of interest include international security, defence policy, geopolitics, and the functioning of national and international security institutions.
Professionally, he works at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, dealing with security policy and bilateral relations, bringing valuable expertise and first-hand insights into the intersection of diplomacy and defence.
As President of the Youth Section, Matic oversees the strategic direction, coordination, and programme development of the Youth Section. He prioritises team cohesion, transparency, and professional growth, ensuring the section operates efficiently and delivers impactful projects.
He plays an active role in strengthening international partnerships, particularly within the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA) international network, and is a strong advocate for youth engagement in strategic and security discussions.
Matic also serves as Project Lead of the flagship Balkan SAYS – Security Architecture Youth Seminar, which brings together young professionals and experts to address key security challenges in the Western Balkans and the wider Euro-Atlantic region.
In addition, he participates in international forums, writes analytical pieces on geopolitical and security topics, and actively promotes dialogue between youth and professionals in the field of security and defence.