Young peacebuilders celebrate 9th anniversary in Kosovo
Since 2002, the Kids for Peace project has successfully created space for multi-ethnic interaction among children and youth, focusing on building relationships, teaching peace education and increasing cooperation and dialogue among youth throughout Kosovo.
All the love of the world, joy and happiness, hand in hand of friendliness for all the kids of the worldKids for Peace was a concept conceived by then 15-year-old Fatmire Feka, who gave a World Vision staff member the idea to start Kids for Peace clubs in the divided physical and emotional landscape of post-war Kosovo. In 2005 Fatmire was among one of the 1,000 women nominated for the collective Nobel Peace prize and in 2009 the Kids for Peace project was the winner of the World Vision International Peace prize.
Each year 16 club members gather in December to celebrate the Kids for Peace anniversary. This year, the celebration started with the Kids for Peace hymn in Albanian, Serbian and English language.
“All the love of the world, joy and happiness, hand in hand of friendliness for all the kids of the world”, were words of the refrain of the Kids for Peace song that all 350 children and youth sang together.
This anniversary some of the graduate members of the club were invited back as special guests to share their own achievements.
“When I was a member from 2004 to 2007 we were not so strong as I can see that you are today, even though it was a time that I learned so many things that helped me in my everyday life, I made so many friendships and we are still in touch, I visited so many places and learnt about our history and different traditions,” said Ana Gucic, an 18-year-old Serbian girl, a former Kids for Peace member. .
“I’m proud that I was part of this project and wish you many more successful years with Kids for Peace project”, she added.
Prior to this event, all the clubs worked on designing a Kids for Peace Statute which will guide all club members to the same vision: “wellbeing of all children for a better future for them.” The highlight of this event was the approval of the Clubs’ Statute. Sixteen club leaders signed this document and officially confirmed and approved the Kids for Peace Club Statue on behalf of the 350 club members. The statute will serve as a guiding document for all clubs to help them function independently.
By signing this Statute members also showed their commitment to peacebuilding today and in the future.
“Kids for Peace aims to develop a deeper communication between communities of different ethnic groups in Kosovo”, said Driton Krasniqi, Zonal Manager for World Vision in Kosovo in an interview for Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK). RTK gave high publicity to this event and broadcasted showed the event in its main news of the day. Kids for Peace members were also happy to welcome in their midst representatives of both national and international institutions to this event.
“These children are those who will cultivate peace and spread that all over Kosovo,” he added.
These children are those who will cultivate peace and spread that all over KosovoWhile the old members shared with others the experience of being with Kids for Peace for many years, the newer members shared their joy, happiness and emotions of being part of a project that gives them a new opportunity to be part of many activities, to make new friends, visit new places, learn about new cultures, raise their awareness of different issues that affect children and also be active in promoting peace and love.
“For me this is a great opportunity to meet with new friends,” says Era Bytyqi, a 15-year-old Albanian girl. “I like friendship and I am glad to be among other peers.”
Sixteen Kids for Peace clubs operate in five Kosovo municipalities. More than 350 children take part in regular activities, which include peace education with a special emphasis on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, HIV & AIDS, gender equality, the environment, and the inclusion of disabled and other marginalised groups in society.
“This project has a positive impact on these children. It has stimulated the freedom of expression among them, which has been missed in our schools,” says Ramiz Selmani, one of the School Directors, who took part in the event.
“Friendship and dancing with other children from other ethnic groups was a very special emotion”, added Donjeta Gashi, aged 14.
Seeing these children from different ethnic communities dancing together in this event was very promising for peace among nationalities in Kosovo.
Rita Llulla and Besim Kryeziu, World Vision staff in Kosovo have contributed to this story.
-Ends-
All the love of the world, joy and happiness, hand in hand of friendliness for all the kids of the worldKids for Peace was a concept conceived by then 15-year-old Fatmire Feka, who gave a World Vision staff member the idea to start Kids for Peace clubs in the divided physical and emotional landscape of post-war Kosovo. In 2005 Fatmire was among one of the 1,000 women nominated for the collective Nobel Peace prize and in 2009 the Kids for Peace project was the winner of the World Vision International Peace prize.
Each year 16 club members gather in December to celebrate the Kids for Peace anniversary. This year, the celebration started with the Kids for Peace hymn in Albanian, Serbian and English language.
“All the love of the world, joy and happiness, hand in hand of friendliness for all the kids of the world”, were words of the refrain of the Kids for Peace song that all 350 children and youth sang together.
This anniversary some of the graduate members of the club were invited back as special guests to share their own achievements.
“When I was a member from 2004 to 2007 we were not so strong as I can see that you are today, even though it was a time that I learned so many things that helped me in my everyday life, I made so many friendships and we are still in touch, I visited so many places and learnt about our history and different traditions,” said Ana Gucic, an 18-year-old Serbian girl, a former Kids for Peace member. .
“I’m proud that I was part of this project and wish you many more successful years with Kids for Peace project”, she added.
Prior to this event, all the clubs worked on designing a Kids for Peace Statute which will guide all club members to the same vision: “wellbeing of all children for a better future for them.” The highlight of this event was the approval of the Clubs’ Statute. Sixteen club leaders signed this document and officially confirmed and approved the Kids for Peace Club Statue on behalf of the 350 club members. The statute will serve as a guiding document for all clubs to help them function independently.
By signing this Statute members also showed their commitment to peacebuilding today and in the future.
“Kids for Peace aims to develop a deeper communication between communities of different ethnic groups in Kosovo”, said Driton Krasniqi, Zonal Manager for World Vision in Kosovo in an interview for Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK). RTK gave high publicity to this event and broadcasted showed the event in its main news of the day. Kids for Peace members were also happy to welcome in their midst representatives of both national and international institutions to this event.
“These children are those who will cultivate peace and spread that all over Kosovo,” he added.
These children are those who will cultivate peace and spread that all over KosovoWhile the old members shared with others the experience of being with Kids for Peace for many years, the newer members shared their joy, happiness and emotions of being part of a project that gives them a new opportunity to be part of many activities, to make new friends, visit new places, learn about new cultures, raise their awareness of different issues that affect children and also be active in promoting peace and love.
“For me this is a great opportunity to meet with new friends,” says Era Bytyqi, a 15-year-old Albanian girl. “I like friendship and I am glad to be among other peers.”
Sixteen Kids for Peace clubs operate in five Kosovo municipalities. More than 350 children take part in regular activities, which include peace education with a special emphasis on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, HIV & AIDS, gender equality, the environment, and the inclusion of disabled and other marginalised groups in society.
“This project has a positive impact on these children. It has stimulated the freedom of expression among them, which has been missed in our schools,” says Ramiz Selmani, one of the School Directors, who took part in the event.
“Friendship and dancing with other children from other ethnic groups was a very special emotion”, added Donjeta Gashi, aged 14.
Seeing these children from different ethnic communities dancing together in this event was very promising for peace among nationalities in Kosovo.
Rita Llulla and Besim Kryeziu, World Vision staff in Kosovo have contributed to this story.
-Ends-
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