Young people from diverse and separate communities are exchanging experiences and ideas, while learning about reconciliation and intercultural dialogue through USAID’s Kosovo Youth Dialogue activity. USAID’s local partner, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, organized four youth exchanges for young people from the Kosovo-Serb and Kosovo-Albanian communities. As part of the exchange, the participants, youth aged 16-30, visited various historical monuments throughout Kosovo. After each visit, the participants reflected and shared their thoughts and feelings as a way to better understand each other’s perspectives on the past. “The last week helped me learn so much about emotions, empathy, history, and reconciliation between the Albanian and the Serbian communities in Kosovo. I have learned so much and made friendships that will contribute toward peace and harmony in our society,” says Shpëtim Ramadani, a participant in the exchange.
During the exchange, the participants also learned the basics of video production, photography, storytelling, and theater from professional mentors as a way to promote reconciliation and jointly oppose the nationalist narratives that exist in Kosovo society. Miodrag Živković, one of the 110 total participants, summed it up by saying, “First of all I am grateful for everything. I really have no words to describe those wonderful and unforgettable six days that left a trace in me that I will never forget, where I met new people and learned a lot. In the end, I want to say that this must not stop. We should hang out and always spread love. There is no hatred!” Youth Initiative for Human Rights will be organizing another two youth exchanges this year.
Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) for USAIDKosovo