David and Zgjim - Children as Actors for Transforming Society

Tuesday, August 11, 2015
By Jennifer Philpot-Nissen, World Vision
Added 06/08/2015
 
Last week in the peaceful Swiss mountain village of Caux, David (14) and Zgjim (16) shared their experiences and concerns with a very special visitor, Member of European Parliament Julie Ward. Not only is Ms. Ward part of a European Parliament delegation for relations with their home country Kosovo, she is also a child rights champion who works closely with World Vision to raise children’s voices and concerns at the EU level.

The occasion was the third annual CATS – Children as Actors for Transforming Society, hosted by Caux - Initiatives for Change, in which children and adults from all regions of the world gather to share and learn from each other in a unique conference.  Ms. Ward affirmed the importance of CATS, and its close links to her work in Parliament with the Children’s Rights agenda, striving for a world where child participation is meaningful and real.

David and Zgjim could not have been friends 15 years ago. They were born as a brutal war between their ethnic groups - Serbs and Kosovan Albanians - was coming to an end. They grew up in a country trying to deal with hatred, anger and deep mistrust between their two communities. The boys explained how they met and became friends through the World Vision Kosovo Kids for Peace project, and how the activities of the club brings young members of the different ethnic groups together to break down the barriers and establish trust and friendship.

Speaking in English - the common language which they need to use to communicate with each other - they outlined many of the difficulties and on-going tensions between the communities and how the World Vision project has supported children to address racist attitudes amongst their peers and own family members.
Ms. Ward will be visiting Kosovo later in August and will meet more Kids for Peace project members at that time.
 
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