by Kanako Terui

28 September 2007

Banja Peja, Kosovo: An enthusiastic and productive youth camp was organized by the Global Motion non-governmental organisation in cooperation with UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNFPA, the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports and the UN Volunteers Team in Kosovo.  100 youth gathered at Banja Peja, Kosova Park Hotel to discuss leadership for the future.  The participants were young people from different ethnic communities; the youngest participant was 13 and the oldest 20 years old.

The main objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capability of young future leaders to bonds and work together in the interest of their communities.  Roundtable discussions, presentations, sessions and team building activities were organized for each day of the camp.

UNV Programme Officer Kanako Terui and volunteer Hortencia Lasin from the UNV supporting team to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo participated in a session about volunteerism.  They gave a brief definition of volunteerism and outlined how young people are considered full of potential energy for future development.  In the discussion that ensued, participants were keen to get more information about the National UNV scheme and how they could be involved in volunteer activities and also shared their experiences in organizing local initiatives in their own communities. 

Working groups were formed, which then produced very creative and innovative newsletters to be shared with all participants where the concept of volunteerism and the UNV programme were introduced from their unique perspectives. 

The participants were quite keen on their own initiatives in communities as volunteers; in fact many of them had already gained experience in organizing activities, similar to this Global Motion initiative. 

“Promoting volunteerism and the UNV programme among young people was a positive experience for the UNV Kosovo Team.  The enthusiasm of the young participants hoping to continue their own initiatives in different communities was uplifting,” said UNV Programme Officer Kanako Terui.  “We are positive that these young participants will take the volunteering message back to their home regions and engage in discussions with friends, family and their neighbours.”

Together with UNFPA representatives, Manav Sachdeva, a UNV volunteer medical expert and Kanako Terui participated in another session about HIV/AIDS and Gender.  Without hesitating, the young people asked the UNFPA expert many questions about safe sex, correct usage of protective materials and issues related to gender, breaching sensitive and taboo themes to gain a clearer understanding of the issues.  Manav Sachdeva used his own story in his home country, India, to talk about gender equality; how we should behave to bring about change in our own communities.

The Global Motion camp was a good opportunity to promote volunteerism and mobilize potential local volunteers to contribute to development efforts in the country.  The UNV Kosovo Team is looking forward to engaging further young people in Kosovo’s development efforts.