#Youthtrail: Promoting OSCE values in the Western Balkans
Empowering youth from the Western Balkans to foster regional sustainable peace and stability was the idea behind “Youth Trail: Promoting OSCE Values in the Western Balkans” -- an initiative the OSCE Presence in Albania organized from 13 to 17 September in Tirana.
The Presence invited youth from across the region to spend a week in Tirana exploring OSCE values of democracy and co-operation. A partnership with the Municipality of Tirana, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) made the activity possible.
OSCE stakeholders in the Vienna headquarters and throughout the Balkans spread the call for applications, with the remarkable result of 900 applications received from all over the Western Balkans. “I was checking my email inbox every day expecting an OSCE answer,” said Ariana from Tetovo.
One week, always together
For the 37 young people selected – “So many different faces but in a way so similar,” said Eldar from Tuzla – Youth Trail was an experience of sharing, learning and fun. Five young Albanian volunteer co-ordinators welcomed and assisted participants, and two dedicated volunteer photographers made sure there were enough photos to reflect the entire experience.
Gender equality, anti-corruption, youth civic engagement, human rights and anti-trafficking were themes explored in the working sessions, led by the Presence’s respective field experts, with the assistance of OSCE partners and RYCO colleagues.
In the session on human rights, the group had to think about the value attached to each human right, by either promoting it or having to choose between it and another. By the end of the session, all were acutely aware of the impossibility to choose among human rights and of the right not to be forced to embrace only some of them.
Together with the OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism (#UnitedCVE) campaign, participants explored the tools and formats of communicating for social change and made their own contribution to #UnitedCVE.
Indoor workshops were complemented by outdoor activities of learning and discovering the host city and surrounding areas. The group had the opportunity to visit the House of Leaves, the former headquarters of the State Intelligence Service, turned into the newest museum in Tirana as part of a process to deal with the country’s difficult communist past.
As a resounding closing event for Youth Trail, the Municipality of Tirana organized an open-air concert in one of the most vibrant corners of urban life in Tirana, bringing together local youth bands, Youth Trail participants and city residents to celebrate the successful completion of the initiative and also to mark the 20th anniversary of the OSCE Presence in Albania.
A Common Balkan future
For the OSCE Presence in Albania, organizing the Youth Trail was a new and unique challenge. The spirit, positive energy and enthusiasm that arrived in Tirana with the participants were felt by the entire OSCE staff. Looking back at an activity that took months to organize, the Youth Trail Project Manager, Sihana Nebiu, praised the participants who “confirmed that when the opportunity is given to connect, co-operate and create something together, youth is exemplary in acting on it.”
As Stiven from Shkodra put it: “I really hope the OSCE organizes the Youth Trail again and again. It is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Being part of the Youth Trail will make you break out of stereotypes and appreciate things in a new way.”
When he returned to his hometown of Deçan/Dečani, Besnik wrote to the Presence: “People should apply to the Youth Trail because it gives the opportunity to connect with other young souls. It helps them to know each other's stories and background and plan a common Balkan future together.”