BUDVA – The RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro organized a Youth Camp on Intercultural Competencies in Sports in Budva from 19 to 21 April in cooperation with the Directorate for Sports and Youth of Montenegro and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.
This time, 15 young athletes from different sports associations from Montenegro gathered with the aim to increase knowledge and understanding of intercultural competences, and foster youth cooperation in sports through interactive workshops and lectures provided by experienced trainers Ms Aleksandra Gligorović and Mr Admir Hadžibegović.
Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro Mr Edin Koljenović used the opportunity to thank the Directorate for Sports and Youth of Montenegro and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on their continuous support from the very beginning.
“RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro, OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Directorate for Sports and Youth were among the first ones who identified the significance of young athletes in promoting RYCO values, and engaging them in intercultural activities. We are very proud to be recognized in Montenegro for such unique and successful initiative”, Mr Koljenović stated.
Deputy Head and Programme Co-ordinator of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Ms Siv-Katrine Leirtroe emphasized the importance of providing young athletes with the opportunity to conversate and share impressions on how they can foster peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Montenegro.
“Thanks to sports you can overcome stereotypes, find common language and foster respect towards people from different societies. We hope that after this camp you will continue to have positive impact on children and youth, using sports as a tool for everyday inclusion of vulnerable groups, and promotion of intercultural exchanges.”, Ms Leirtroe concluded.
Director of the Directorate for Sports and Youth of Montenegro Mr Marko Begović expressed his gratitude for successful collaboration of Directorate, RYCO, OSCE, and sports associations, aimed at young people who should reach their full potential while fighting xenophobia, discrimination, stereotypes and prejudices.
“I encourage all of you to work on your values and competences beyond sports in order to become complete individuals. Directorate for Sports and Youth will always work on providing you with platforms that will allow you to be heard, and share with us any concerns you may have”, Mr Begović stated.
On the last day of the camp, Mr Edin Koljenović used the opportunity to present RYCO work and its activities to participants, motivating young athletes to take part in numerous local and regional programmes, and connect with their peers from all around the Western Balkans.
