RYCO Publication: A Better Region Starts with YOUth (2020)

youth
A better region starts with
What Youth Say
Since the beginning, RYCO has actively supported projects that bring the youth of the Western
Balkans together through traveling, sport and cultural activities and by meeting new people and
learning about each other and many more. Organised by secondary schools and civil society
organisations, these activities connect, engage and empower youth. Here we present to you the
impressions and memories of participants from various activities held all across the region.
During the youth exchange, I got to know and improve myself,
socialise, make new friends and learn about their cultures.
There were a lot of moments where each of us expressed our
feelings and true emotions. The thing I appreciated the most
was that all of us were aware of everyone’s feelings. I think
intercultural exchanges enable people to open up and talk
about prejudices, taboos and stereotypes that often worry
them, as we started getting closer to having connections built
upon trust.
Lea Kokeri
Tirana, Albania
During the training I was convinced that people in the region of
the Western Balkans, in addition to the similarities in culture and
the way of thinking, have also similar and common challenges.
The latter made me realise that you cannot actually find separate
solutions. Everyone in the region, especially youth, must
cooperate to tackle these challenges together.
Melitjan Nezaj
Tropojë, Albania
My relationship with the friends I made during the activities
taught me that regardless of the differences and existing
divisions, we are all the same and that we should not hesitate to
say our true opinion because real friends understand.
Muhamed Jusupović,
Ilijaš, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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