Youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia Engage in Multicultural Learning

Within the third RYCO Open Call for Project Proposals, supported by the Federal Republic of Germany, United World College Mostar (UWC Mostar) from Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with the Secondary School of Economy and Tourism/Catering from Montenegro, Education Innovators from Kosovo, and EDUFONS-Center for Lifelong Education from Serbia, implemented the project “Bridging Cultures short course” which took place from January 2020 to March 2021.

The project brought together youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia in diverse education activities focused on multicultural learning and understanding through the perspectives of various disciplines: anthropology, international relations, arts and literature, psychology, and others.

“Coordinating this project in a blended form was a very special and challenging experience on many levels. We had four groups of participants in four different locations, facilitators spread across the region and the world, online and in-person workshops and social events, we learned a lot, made friendships and had a great time. I am grateful to have met such diligent and enthusiastic young people and to collaborate with partner institutions,” Project Coordinator Ms Irma Husić Pandur emphasized.

The project celebrated the importance of diversity and differences in the community, the need for youth involvement in social activism and cooperation, and encouraged the young participants to take an active role in society.

“Workshops on Bridging Cultures were by far the best online workshops I have ever attended. They gave us an opportunity to apply the knowledge which we have gained during the workshop, and an opportunity to better meet participants from other places” Mr Lazar Lukač, project participant, underlined.

In addition, the project also helped the young participants to connect with one another and make new friends, despite the activities taking place mostly in an online format.

“I really enjoyed every second of this short course and I hope that I will be in touch with every participant,” Ms Anja Mihailović, project participant, added.

Speaking of key takeaways from the project, Mr Ismar Ajkunić, another project participant highlighted: “This was an amazing experience. It has opened my mind in so many ways and I learned a lot of new things.”

Bridging Cultures short course engaged and motivated young people to engage individually and collectively through social action and proactive leadership. They gained new knowledge and skills on the topic of intercultural learning and mutual understanding that helped strengthen their community building and the new friendships made.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Preuzeto sa: RYCO